2001 Isuzu Rodeo LS from North America - Comments

We have a 1995 Isuzu Rodeo, but we have been having problems. We have taken it to mechanics and they can't seem to find the problem. Can anybody help us??? we turn on the truck and then it stops, within 5 seconds. If we're lucky and it starts in the mornings, it won't stop.

I bought a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo LS, automatic, 2WD in 2004, with about 30k miles on it. For the past 3+years, it has been extremely reliable. Going on 95,000 miles, it has not given me any grief, only a replaced ERG valve, brake job, and new set of tires. Overall very pleased with this car so far! (fingers crossed!)

I Have a 1999 Honda Passport Automatic and it's been a good car.

I purchased it with 30 K and it now has 163 K.

There are a couple of things that are happening now:

(1) Its getting harder to start, it is as if the battery was going out, I keep turning the key until it cranks over and starts. I may need to turn the key 5 to 10 times, sometimes it will not do anything, other times it will crank a little, and then it will crank with full battery power?

Is it the gas sensor? Or does anyone have any ideas, please send me an email at sergiodalessio@hotmail.com.

The other problem that it has been doing on and of, at least once a month for the past 2 years, it that one is driving allong, and then the car gets a sudden jerk as if the tranny was jerking or as if the engine had cut off for a second. Just as it comes, it goes?

I also need to put in a quart of oil every three to four weeks.

Does anyone have any ideas, please send me an email at sergiodalessio@hotmail.com.

Thanks Sergio.

I just bought a used 2002 Isuzu Rodeo one month ago. The key is stuck in the ignition. What should I do?

I have a 2001 Rodeo with about 130K miles and overall it has been OK, although when I've experienced a problem it's been costly. I had a problem with the key being stuck in the ignition and was told that I'd have to get a locksmith to get it out that specializes in cars which is about 95.00 plus an auto shop that they would have to correct something in the ignition which will cost about 200.00. I just recently had the compressor fixed which cost almost 1600.00 (1589.02 to be exact)...now my engine light and my ABS light won't go off so now I'm wondering how much that's going to cost... I really don't want another car note at this time, but I have started looking.

I bought a '99 2wd V6 auto in January. Luckily I got it for $3000, with only 85k on it (rebuilt title, but I knew everything that was wrong with it). It has the exact, and I mean exact, same problems everyone else has. Insane fuel gauge, nutty taillight, check engine light from the carbon dioxide sensor, and shifting problem in 1st and sometimes 2nd. I am glad I found this site because I think I can check some of this stuff myself and get out cheaper and not have to change the whole transmission. BY THE WAY! I was able to fix the carbon sensor problem by simply checking the fuse... It was blown (I'm sure most of y'alls won't be that easy).

After reading more of these comments, I'm starting to believe that the Isuzu Rodeo was actually designed by clever business predators, and that buying one is much like playing roulette. Maybe they figured that they could make much more money on unsuspecting consumers with charging for a broken sensor here and electrical problem there. Maybe a transmission swap. And then get out of the business and enjoy the profits. I wonder if there are tax breaks for warranty parts and repairs a company has to make. I know that some franchises can actually write off unprofitable branches.

Anyway, if your first, middle, and last names are LUCK, then buy an Isuzu Rodeo.

I have an 01' Rodeo and I hate it, I changed from an older pathfinder, mostly because my wife liked the looks of the truck.. I've put 2k into it for various troubles, and now the biggest problem is that the gear shifter sticks in park, and only I know how to get it out.. so when I take it in for oil changes I have to drive it into the bay for them and drive it out, you have to wiggle it weird... also when its in park the engine rev's really high and spuratically.. what is causing that?

I bought a 98 Rodeo last year and have had quite a few problems. There is only 70,000 miles on it. The main being a bent rear axel from a previous accident. The gas gague has never worked, I just fill it up and keep track of the miles. One rear window goes down, but won't go up, so I don't use it. Most recently, I had to put in a new radiator and I have recently been having problems with my transmission. When starting from a dead stop, it lurches when I accelerate, sometime to the point of the tires squealing a bit. It is happening nearly all the time and it is quite inconvenient, especially since I live in Alaska and the roads can be very slick this time of year. I had a full transmission service done and that helped for a month, but now it is starting up again. I am taking it to the tranny shop tomorrow and am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't have to be replaced completely. After reading all the above comments, I guess I am choosing to be the optimist. I am really trying to convince myself that this is the last of the problems this truck will give me. I'll let you know how that works out for me!

I have a 95.5 Rodeo LS 4wd manual trans. Bought new in 96 and it now has 102,000 miles. I've had it in subzero weather in Grand Forks ND, and Great Falls Mt. It performed well in those areas, but started seeping oil from the header gaskets and other gaskets throughout engine. All seals replaced fully under warranty. I had to have clutch replaced, water pump, and EGR cleaned. I have developed the ticking which is typical for the 3.2 V6 prior to 98. People say its to neglect, but that is crap. I changed oil around 3,000 miles with proper grade always. Overall I don't think I could have asked for more reliability. Clutch needed replacing due to some heavy towing.

Our first Rodeo was a 1994 LS. My wife drove it till April 2006. It had 112,000 miles on it. I had to replace the rear wheel bearings and the starter. The engine had a ticking sound most of the time, but I could never figure out what it was. The frame was rusting and we looked for another.

We found a 2001 LS that had 75,000 miles on it. At 95,000 the transition started to slip in 1st. We replaced it and we didn't have anymore problems. In Oct 2007 my wife ran off the road and it was totaled.

We found a 2003 with 76,000 miles on it. So far so good.

2001 rodeo ls limited.

Hello...let me tell you how I fixed my tranny problem {hard shifting//and chirpping of the the tires while in first gear}

I went to a couple of auto parts stores and mechanics to inquire about this and no one could answer due to the lack of tranny dip stick. I was referred to the dealer {w/ a $200 co-pay TO GO with IT}.

THANK GOD FOR THE INTERNET!! There is a way to check the tranny fluid level. Under the car were the tranny pan is there are two plugs. One is to drain {ln the lower level and one slightly above (in a recessed corner) is to fill the fluid. This comes from wikianswers. com and it works instantly. "How do you add trans fluid to a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo?"

Transmission fluid level: As you don't have an ATF dipstick, you will have two plugs facing downward on the larger trans pan. The plug higher up on the pan is the fill/level check (stamped/recessed into the rear right corner of pan). ATF should just dribble from this plug on a hot, idling truck, in neutral on a level surface. The lower one is the drain. The one at the back of the pan in a recess is the filler. You need a hand pump or something similar to fill it to overflowing then top it off with the engine running. Make sure you shift through the gears a couple of times when topping off.

2002 Rodeo bought new, now has 140K miles. 5 payments left

Replaced transmission twice (looks like number 3 will cost me about $3,000 to be replaced this week). Replaced computer, brake light switch, windshield wiper linkage, various sensors and relays. Key got stuck in the ignition twice, for about a week and eventually came out. CD stuck in CD player, and eventually came out after a few weeks. Burns about a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. AC not working-makes some kind of clanking noise-never got that fixed. Check engine light is on and it's running terrible so whatever that is needs to be fixed too. It has left me stranded more times than I can count. Thank God for AAA.

I wish someone would steal it.

I purchased my 2000 Amigo used with 27K miles on it in 2004. It now has almost 80k on it. It has been a pretty good vehicle. It is on it's second set of tires, including the originals. Has the original brakes and has had no a/c problems. The gas mileage isn't very good for a V-6 but the engine has plenty of power. I've not gotten stuck yet with the 4 wheel drive. The problems I had were fairly easily fixed by myself. I repaired the faulty fuel level sensor for less than $40. Repaired the intermittent wiper problem with $5 worth of relays. And replaced the intake manifold gasket for less than $50. This was less than a total of 8 hours of my personal work time and was worth the research and time to save about $1500 in repairs.

Could you please tell me how you fixed the wiper problems. What relay did you change? My wippers work only in high, and the rear don't work. Can some one help please.