2001 Isuzu Rodeo review from North America

I purchased my Rodeo new off of the lot with only 37 miles on it. I had owned the car less than two years when my clutch went out. Every car I have owned in the eighteen years that I have been driving, has been a stick shift. I have never, never had to replace a clutch. This of course was not one of the items that is/was covered by my warranty.

About twenty-one months later, I began to have trouble shifting into first gear off and on for about a week. After that week I was driving in second gear and was unable to shift into any other gear when the clutch was engaged. Once it was parked and turned off, I was able to shift. I had it towed to the shop thinking that something was wrong with my transmission, and was shocked when I was informed that it was the clutch that once again needed to be replaced.

The carpet under two of the three pedals has deep holes worn into it. These holes are also fraying and unraveling.

Less than four months after replacing the clutch for a second time, my Rodeo began to make a strange noise as it transitioned through the first three gears, especially when it was cold. My 'check engine' light came on & remained on for less than half of a day. I had it in the shop one day later. Now it is the timing belt and system, along with other belts and seals that have to be replaced. And my car just flipped 50,000 miles. 50,031 to be exact. The warranty expired 31 miles ago.

I am extremly disappointed in my Rodeo. All of my cars have been stick shifts and this is the first (and second) time I have had to replace a clutch.

To have the timing go four months later has sealed it for me, it can't be just a fluke thing involving the clutches on these autos. From my experience I would say that the Isuzu Rodeo is very poorly made, and that the warranty seems to be just a pointless extra piece of paper I had to sign.