1998 Isuzu Rodeo from North America - Comments

Fuel pump had to be replaced

rack and pinion had to be replaced

ignition switch sticks periodically

transmission clunk.

If the maintenance is maintained on this car it will last forever. There are some inherent problems that

are on all of these cars. The transmission clunk and the fuel gauge and fuel pump issues.

I have 2 98 Rodeos. Same overall problems with both. It is frustrating. Poor design, BUT if you maintain these cars constantly they do last for a long time. You have to put up with the issues and fix things as they go out and not wait. There are also things that people are having to do over and over. Most of those things are because of improper or poorly done repairs.

The alternator issues that are done over and over are probably because the replaced alternator must be from Isuzu and not an off of the shelf unit.

The transmission clunk is due to not knowing how to adjust the shift module properly.

The head gaskets do deteriorate at about 80k miles and have to be replaced, and the fuel pump issue is a pain in the neck but can be replaced fairly easily.

These are fairly easy vehicles to work on, even though you work on them a lot to keep them up. They also have a tendency to have a bunch of things to be replaced all at the same time, but once you do all of them then you are good to go for another 80-100k miles.

Timing belts etc. are normal wear items that must be replaced on all of the newer cars without timing chains. Fluids must be changed regularly and kept topped off in these cars, they are not forgiving.

Most people do not know that the transmission used is the same that is used in several BMW's as well as other vehicles. Oil consumption is a design flaw due to the type of wiper rings used on the pistons.

This list could go on and on, but the point is that they are high maintenance vehicles, but will last if maintained and over maintained.