2001 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4X4 3.2L from North America

Summary:

Toughest little SUV ever!!

Faults:

At 94000 miles the transmission went out.

Many pairs of CV boots.

General Comments:

All in all, the Isuzu Rodeo 6 cylinder trucks are great vehicles. They are imported and sold by GM up to 2004. The tranny's and rear axles are GM 4L30E/Dana44 (on the 4x4).

This thing is tough; mine went over rocks, through sand, up mountains, and traversed many mud holes. The girlfriend crashed it into 2 mesquite trees at once; the Rodeo knocked them over and reversed off them with very minor damage to the grille.

It will pull a truck 2x its weight on and off rocks, without a single hiccup.

I bought mine used with 60k on it. I'm up to 121000.

At 94k the transmission went out; cost $3600 to replace.

After a 4" lift the CV boots tear prematurely went through a dozen all ready.

My biggest regret about this vehicle is that I did not buy a manual trans; I kick myself every day for not doing so. If I has known that there was a GM automatic in it, that would have been the deal breaker, but live and learn. I'll have to chop a Toyota trans in.

Buy a Rodeo; you'll like it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2008

2001 Isuzu Rodeo 4X4 3.2L V6 from North America

Summary:

A complete nightmare for any owner, and should be avoided like the plague!!!

Faults:

Motor replacement after 6k miles

Transmission replacement after 1st day of driving

Replaced the entire 4WD transfer case and torque converter

Replaced both catalytic converters

Replaced entire wiring harness

Replace both O2 sensors

Replace muffler and flex pipe

Replaced APP sensor on the gas pedal

Replace the EGR sensor and cleaned out the vacuum lines

Repacked the front bearings

Replaced a bent rim

This totals about $6,000.00. The truck is worth half of that!!!

I have an extended warranty that took care of the motor and trans, and I'm dealing with the rest.

General Comments:

Some of these replaced and repaired items were most likely due to the previous owners negligence.

HOWEVER, I have a very strong feeling that no matter HOW well one cared for this vehicle, these problems would manifest anyhow! Based off of the majority of other reviews.

The vehicle currently has 94,000 miles on the odometer.

I bought it used at 85,000.

So now, I now own a NEW Isuzu Rodeo that is worth a fraction of what I just spent on it.

A TOTAL DISASTER AND YOU SHOULD AVOID THESE VEHICLES AT ALL COSTS!!!

Parts are proprietary and very expensive/hard to find. No other parts are compatible; ONLY Isuzu parts.

No other mechanic can read codes, only ISUZU dealers.

This is worse than any American car that I have ever owned (I live in America and work in rental cars, so that says a lot!!!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th April, 2008

28th May 2008, 00:24

That totally sucks. I have an 01, and other that the piece of crap GM 4L30E tranny that I had to replace, this is pound for pound one of the best trucks I've ever had, and I off road and beat mine up; 120k miles and no problems other than the trans.

2001 Isuzu Rodeo 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Will look for other fun vehicles from other manufacturers

Faults:

At thirty thousand miles the engine began to run rough. The check engine light came on at thirty five thousand miles. The heater stopped functioning at seventy thousand miles and it began over heating at one hundred thousand miles. All new cars that I have owned have gone over 100,000 miles without any major problems. I like the look of the car and it's fun to drive with the top off but the quality seems to be lacking.

Minor problems are plastic seat bold covers came loose and were lost. One speaker sounds gargled. Radio night light does not work. Bar ties from the rag top became unglued. Stitching ripped on left corner window. Cheap plastic scratches easily. Clock back light still comes on and off when it wants to. Driver side lever to recline seat fell off.

General Comments:

Good looking car.

Fun to drive.

Poor materials or workmanship resulting in many problems.

I bought the four cylinder standard transmission model so it's inexpensive to operate compared to other S.U.V.'s.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th April, 2008