1998 Isuzu N SERIES: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
1
16.7%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
1
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2003
2
2004
2
2005
2
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2003
2
2004
2
2005
2
2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 2
Pattern summary
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN BRAKING IF A SLIGHT BUMP IS HIT. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY WHEN SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON PERIODICALLY.
1998 RODEO HAD 44,200 MILES AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR LOST OF HEAT AND BURNING SMELL AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED THERMOSTAT BUT PROBLEM WAS BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. *JB
WIPERS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. EXACTLY LIKE PROBLEM IN 1996 ISUZU HOMBRE RECALL. AT TIMES WIPERS WONT GO OFF ONCE ACTIVATED. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB
ROLL OVER CRASH DOWN EMBANKMENT 160 FEET INTO RIVER UPSIDE DOWN AND HIT THREE TREES BEFORE LANDING. BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY SON WAS INJURED WITH A BROKEN PELVIS AND HUGE HEMOTOMA? I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE ALL THE PRESSURE WAS ON HIS PELVIS WITH JUST THE SEAT BELT. *JB
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
83.3%Usable mileage5 / 6 records
100.0%Valid incident date6 / 6 records
100.0%Valid filing date6 / 6 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 6 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
I HAVE A 2001 RODEO, I WORKED VERY HARD TO GET THAT CAR I WAS VERY PROUD OF IT. IT HAD ONLY 66 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I TOOK GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3 THOUSAND MILES. ONE TIME AFTER THE OIL WAS CHANGED I CHECKED IT AND THE DIP STICK READ NO OIL SO I PUT A GALLON OF OIL IN IT AND TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE. THE GUY WAS LIKE WHAT DID YOU DO I BET YOU ARE A GALLON OVER. SURE ENOUGH I WAS. HE SAID SOME TIMES IT WILL SAY THERE IS NO OIL IN IT WHEN THERE IS. MY SON CHECKED IT FOR ME A FEW TIMES AND THOUGHT I WAS OUT AND PUT A QUART IN.…
1998 RODEO HAD 44,200 MILES AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR LOST OF HEAT AND BURNING SMELL AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED THERMOSTAT BUT PROBLEM WAS BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. *JB
STARTING AT AROUND 55K MILES, MY ISUZU 99 TROOPER HAS STARTED BURNING AROUND 1QT OF OIL PER 600-700 MILES. THIS CAUSES EXCESS WEAR ON THE ENGINE AND MOST DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SEIZED ENGINES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.. ISUZU HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2000 AND REDESIGNED THE RINGS ON THE PISTONS BUT DID NOT NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OR HELP OWNERS WHEN REPAIRS ARE REQUIRED. *JB
ROLL OVER CRASH DOWN EMBANKMENT 160 FEET INTO RIVER UPSIDE DOWN AND HIT THREE TREES BEFORE LANDING. BOTH AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND MY SON WAS INJURED WITH A BROKEN PELVIS AND HUGE HEMOTOMA? I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE ALL THE PRESSURE WAS ON HIS PELVIS WITH JUST THE SEAT BELT. *JB
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 2004 ISUZU RODEO WILL NOT START. I WILL ATTEMPT TO START IT, AND IT WILL TURN OVER AND THEN WILL NOT START. I WILL THEN ATTEMPT TO START THE SUV AGAIN AND I GET NOTHING. I HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE LOCK THE DOORS, UNLOCK THE DOORS GET BACK IN AND ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SITTING IN TRAFFIC AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL OUT AND THEN WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TROUBLE TO MY LOCAL ISUZU DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF…
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 2004 ISUZU RODEO WILL NOT START. I WILL ATTEMPT TO START IT, AND IT WILL TURN OVER AND THEN WILL NOT START. I WILL THEN ATTEMPT TO START THE SUV AGAIN AND I GET NOTHING. I HAVE LEARNED THAT I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE LOCK THE DOORS, UNLOCK THE DOORS GET BACK IN AND ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SITTING IN TRAFFIC AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL OUT AND THEN WILL NOT START. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TROUBLE TO MY LOCAL ISUZU DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF…
FAN BLADE FAILURE ON NPR ISUZU TK YR. 2000-2003 WE HAD 5 BLADES EXPLODE IN TKS. THE BLADE CRACKS THEN FLIES APART THIS IS VERY BAD SOMEBOBY WILL GET KILLED IF WORKING AROUND BLADE WHEN THEY COME APART.
I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 ISUZU RODEO FROM FOX CHEVROLET ISUZU LOCATED AT 501 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD LAUREL, MARYLAND. IN 2004 THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THEIR BUSINESS AND NAME TO FOX OF LAUREL BECAUSE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THIS LOCATION I CONTINUED TAKING MY VEHICLE TO THEM FOR SERVICE. I QUESTIONED WHETHER THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE ,AND WAS ASSURED THAT THEY COULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO MY VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THEY NO LONGER SOLD ISUZU CARS. ON JANUARY 23, 2007 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FOX OF LAUREL BECA…
WIPERS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. EXACTLY LIKE PROBLEM IN 1996 ISUZU HOMBRE RECALL. AT TIMES WIPERS WONT GO OFF ONCE ACTIVATED. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB
1998 RODEO HAD 44,200 MILES AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR LOST OF HEAT AND BURNING SMELL AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED THERMOSTAT BUT PROBLEM WAS BACK WITHIN 2 WEEKS AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Too few reports for a range
20,000 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10000998 · 20,000 mi
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN BRAKING IF A SLIGHT BUMP IS HIT. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY WHEN SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON PERIODICALLY.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2002: 2 complaints · 2004: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2002
0
0
2
2004
0
1
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2002
3
0
0
2004
1
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Air Bags:Frontal
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
—
0
0
0
Air Bags:Frontal
0
—
0
0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
0
0
—
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
0
0
0
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 16.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 20,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10000998 · 20,000 mi
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN BRAKING IF A SLIGHT BUMP IS HIT. UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE SAFELY WHEN SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON PERIODICALLY.