2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4WD 3.2L V6 from North America

Summary:

Fabulous Rodeo. Couldn't be happier

Faults:

The only thing that has gone wrong was the factory CD player broke, but was replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

This has been a wonderful vehicle. I was skeptical about buying an Isuzu base on the things I had heard with the transmission, but have not really had a problem with mine. It makes some hear-able down shifting noises, but hasn't been a problem for me. I get a lot of compliments on the vehicle based on how clean I keep it. Most think it is still new. I just keep up with the maintenance and is running strong. I just need to stop running into things. That's where my money goes!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2005

2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS 3.2 V6 from North America

Summary:

Overall I love my Rodeo, and will most likely consider purchasing another

Faults:

ABS light on the dash stays on.

Vibration at speeds above 70+ that have never been resolved by alignments or balancing.

Transmission started acting up at 61,000 miles, 1,000 miles after the drive train warranty expired.

Had to replace a gasket at 57,000 miles that caused my truck to stall out occasionally at stops and/or the RPMs would fluctuate between 300 and 3500 at stops.

General Comments:

I have had my 2000 Rodeo LS 4x4 for about 18 months now, and it currently has 63,000 miles on it. Recently I have begun experiencing issues with the truck's transmission seeming to 'slip' as it engages first gear. I will place it in drive and give it gas, and the truck will hesitate, and then once the gear catches, the truck lurches forward and the rear tires squeal. Right now, this is the only problem I have with the transmission, but from what I have read here, I am beginning to get nervous, since my drive train warranty ran out 3k miles ago.

I have had it in before for the check engine light that kept coming on, and the vehicle randomly stalling at lights and such, and the tachometer was dropping very low and then jumping up the RPMs. Fortunately this issue was covered under the drive train warranty at the time.

I am also having the issue with the ABS light on the dashboard staying on all the time, and the dealership has said that it is a faulty sensor. There seems to be no immediate issues with the brakes, and until I can find another repair center to fix this issue, I am just ignoring it.

My local Isuzu dealer/repair shop was extremely unaccommodating following the replacement of my gasket, and the discovery of an aerosol can that was left in my engine rubbing up against my belt.

Overall, my Isuzu has been a great vehicle. Regular oil changes have kept it running pretty smoothly, and a gas additive here and there to clean the fuel injectors has tended to smooth it out a bit when it starts feeling rough.

My experiences with it in snow have been great, as it handles well, and I feel much safer than I did in my little Celica. I find the vehicle very fun to drive, and quite peppy compared to the Xterra and Explorer that I test drove prior to purchasing my Rodeo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th May, 2005

8th Jul 2005, 17:48

I have a 2000 Rodeo LSE with 85K miles. I had been experiencing the same transmission problems you described, with the gear slipping and then catching, lurching the car forward. I had to pay over $2000 for a rebuild from Aamco.

This vehicle's transmission is completely sealed, you cannot even check/add fluid on your own. It must taken out and taken apart to do anything.

Just FYI, I would get it checked out immediately, before the slipping gears get worse. Mine runs smoothly now and I hope it will until I run it into the ground.

I also have a brake light that comes on intermittently. (not ABS, but the parking brake light)

I think it is just a faulty sensor because if you jiggle the parking brake, it goes off.