2001 Isuzu Rodeo review from North America

It has only had a couple of problems, but those have been a little weird.

Changing transmission fluid has to be done by a regular mechanic; an oil change place doesn't have the right equipment.

It's an automatic and it had a problem shifting usually in the first 5 minutes after starting up. However I discovered from a message board that at start up, I should wait until it has completed its computer reset/self diagnostic (when all the dashboard lights turn off & on) before putting it into gear. Now that I do that I haven't had another problem with lurching, lagging or shimmying.

Now I have a possible problem. Twice this weekend it cut out on me while I was driving. Once on the freeway and once at a stop sign. It recovered on the freeway, but was totally dead at the stop sign and had to be towed. I waited until it was cold to retry it, but no go. Both a repair shop and a dealer can't figure out what is wrong. So I am driving it with my fingers crossed.

This car has been more reliable than a couple of my Toyotas. Other than the two problems I mentioned above, I have had no problems with this car other than very minor slightly annoying things.

It is definitely a truck, but having the right tires on it makes a huge difference in the ride and the handling. It will never corner like a sports car and the turning radius sucks, but it has been a solid, dependable commuter SUV for me, and great for hauling all sorts of things, and for long trips. It has enough power to accelerate well, but not excitingly.