1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS review from North America

At 90,000 miles, the fuel level sensor failed, replaced at dealer for 246.00.

Replaced the alternator at 111,489 miles, that is a given for any car really!

Have had continuous problems with the ABS from 90,000 miles to current.

Had a cylinder head fail at 141,000 miles due to antifreeze coolant getting into the oil, replaced right cylinder head for 2911.00.

One wire on fan control switch nearly caught on fire, had to replace the wire, connector and switch at 144,000 miles.

Coolant has been consistently disappearing since before the failure of right cylinder head, and have confirmed by oil analysis and sludge in PVC system that coolant is still leaking into the oil via a crack in the left head or even the block. Note that both head gaskets were replaced when right cylinder head was replaced.

As of 153,443, the vehicle has been traded in to avoid confrontation with another major engine failure.

This vehicle was alright and felt nice when I first purchased it, and as a professional mechanic, I didn't mind doing the small repairs to it and the maintenance, but when the engine suffered a major failure at 141,000, I paid 2911.00 for a repair, and when I realized that the same problem that caused it to fail the first time was still happening, I decided it was time to throw in the towel on this vehicle.

After all of the problems I have had with this vehicle, and I see happening with other people who own it, it's my opinion as a mechanic and a consumer that Isuzu Rodeos are just not well made vehicles. Not what you would expect from a Japanese Automaker. I would assume that it's a big part of the reason why they are no longer producing passenger cars in the US.