Used Isuzu Rodeo Buying Guide: 1998-04 V6 Years and Recalls

The used Isuzu Rodeo most shoppers still see is the 1998-2004 U.S.-built midsize SUV with a V6 and optional part-time four-wheel drive. Consumer Guide liked the V6 acceleration and cargo room, then dinged fuel economy, road noise and the lack of a standout feature versus rivals. Isuzu left the U.S. passenger market years ago, so you buy on independent shops and parts networks, not a dealer network that still stocks Rodeo bits.

I read Consumer Guide's 1998-04 Isuzu Rodeo and 1991-97 Isuzu Rodeo reviews on Nov. 5, 2026, and pulled NHTSA recall counts for sample years the same day. Honda's Passport of that era was a retrimmed sibling from the same Indiana plant, which matters when you hunt used parts. Dollar bands on CG pages are a freshness snapshot for that date, not a live appraisal.

Generations in short

The first U.S. Rodeo ran 1991-97. The redesign for 1998 widened the body, rounded the styling and kept the midsize wagon layout with rear- or four-wheel drive. Consumer Guide's 1998-04 page lists a longitudinal front engine, ABS as a pro, and good-condition prices roughly $1,800 to $5,600 on the day I checked. A 3.2-liter V6 was the volume powerplant; late trucks added more V6 displacement in some trims. Crews who want the earlier, boxier truck should read the 1991-97 CG page separately instead of mixing parts catalogs.

Isuzu also sold a sportier Axiom and the Ascender later, but the Rodeo was the volume midsize nameplate. When a listing says "rare Isuzu," check whether it is actually a high-mileage Rodeo with aftermarket wheels. True low-mileage, one-owner trucks exist; most marketplace ads are not that truck.

What CG actually praises and pans

With the V6, CG said a Rodeo accelerates better than most Japanese rivals and leans toward the "sport" side of SUV. Prices were never cheap when new, and CG called the truck an acceptable choice rather than a compelling one because nothing about the package clearly beat competitors. Engine noise, fuel economy and road noise show up on the cons list. Test for transfer-case engagement, rear differential leaks and frame rust at the rear spring mounts before you fall for shiny wheel flares.

Look, a lifted Rodeo with oversized tires and no maintenance binder is a different buy than a stock 4x4 with dealer stamps through 120,000 miles. Price them like different vehicles. Listen for front differential noise on 4WD models and check that the 4HI and 4LO lights behave as the owner's manual describes. A stuck transfer case is a negotiation item, not a free "character" feature.

Interior plastics crack with sun exposure, especially on southern trucks. Confirm that power windows, the rear wiper and the climate controls still work. CG noted cargo room as a strength, so measure whether a folded stroller or a set of golf bags actually fit the way the seller claims.

Rust, frames and related models

Salt-belt Rodeos need a careful underside look at the frame rails, rear spring hangers and brake lines. Surface scale is common; perforation near mounts is a walk-away unless you weld for a living. Compare any undercoating to the rest of the chassis so you are not buying a freshly sprayed cover-up.

Because Honda sold the Passport as a twin, some wear items and body clips cross. Engine and transmission service still follows Isuzu procedures. Keep that straight when a parts counter asks for a Honda part number by mistake.

Recalls and VIN checks

A 2000 Isuzu Rodeo returned multiple NHTSA campaigns when queried Nov. 5, 2026, including 01V055000, 02V213000 and 10V436000 among others. Campaign applicability is VIN-specific. Use our Isuzu recall check by VIN guide and Isuzu VIN decoder, then compare the build against the badge. Related reading for another discontinued Isuzu SUV sits in the used Isuzu Ascender buying guide.

Open recall rows on a history report do not always mean the work is unfinished, but they are a reason to verify completion with NHTSA or a shop that can look up the VIN campaign status.

Before you buy

Search brands on NMVTIS and pull a report yourself. Seller screenshots get cropped. We're a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, Experian or Isuzu. As of early November 2026, guest reports are about $5.50, member reports about $4.50, and the bundle about $6.75, versus retail near $39.99 to $44.99. Confirm at checkout.

Plan a pre-purchase inspection that includes a 4WD engagement test, a compression check on the V6 and a lift inspection of the frame. At Rodeo asking prices, skipping that step is how buyers inherit someone else's deferred maintenance.

Sources

• Consumer Guide: 1998-04 Isuzu Rodeo
• Consumer Guide: 1991-97 Isuzu Rodeo
• NHTSA vPIC decoder
• NMVTIS