8th Apr 2011, 12:01
I bought my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo LS with 62K in Jan 06. I've always taken good care of this beautiful SUV since then. It's been a reliable vehicle for my family, even in harsh winter driving here in Canada.
I can't believe, despite many negative and honest comments about this vehicle, it is still performing as great as it did when I bought it, considering it was a used one.
I replaced the starter and the battery 2 years ago, and upgraded the sound system by choice, all four tires last year, and used only synthetic oil every 3 and a half months ever since.
Now it has 132K, I still get compliments from people about the remarkable design of this truck, but I think I get more dependability from it. I am keeping this truck for good.
8th Apr 2011, 15:23
It's good to hear good things about a Isuzu Rodeo SUV... My neighbor had one and tortured everyday he had it (about 3 years) until he traded it in... the vehicle went everywhere non stop...
Before he traded it in, he changed the oil and told me he didn't have any oil registering on the dipstick... I feel sorry for the person who ended up with that car...
7th Jun 2011, 09:36
I have a 2001 Rodeo Sport LS with 214,000 miles on it.
I have had to do some brake work, timing belt, etc. All of these issues are due to use as wearable parts. I have a fuel sending unit out for 2 years now. Quite simply I figured my gas mileage, use my tripometer and reset it every time I fill up, thus I know exactly how many miles I have left in my tank.
I just now have a transmission issue which I am getting serviced. My ABS light has been on constantly and I need to replace the sensor. O2 sensors replaced, etc, etc. What does anyone expect of any vehicle that takes this kind of wear? Yes it does burn about a qt of oil every 1,000 to 1,500 miles... But so do I at my age... Ha!
I like my Rodeo. I am getting to the point at which it may not be smart to put any big money into the vehicle, but hey, it beats a $300 to $500 car payment! I confess this is no longer my primary vehicle and I use mainly, as it was made to be used, as a Sport Utility Vehicle, to tow my bass boat or go camping.
14th Nov 2011, 23:09
You are about the only 2002 Rodeo owner I know of who has not had MAJOR problems. I am constantly having problems, the car going in the shop and something that needs fixed (which they can never seem to quite diagnose). Plus, you can never find parts for it anymore. So disappointed in this car. Piece of Junk!
14th Nov 2011, 23:24
I am really soooo tired of, whatever part I need for my Rodeo, no one can seem to find it, it has to come from Japan, is on back order and they do not see it being available until 6 months to a year, if at all. It is as if Isuzu ignores the fact that they have a warranty to honor, and you are out of luck if you need something to fix your car. Plus, something is always going wrong on my car, and it is a never ending money pit.
16th Apr 2013, 15:10
I've owned a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo since new. I kept up on flushing the radiator and transmission, and changing the oil in the engine. There is a small seal on the transmission that usually leaks after 100,000 miles... Hey, a very simple and inexpensive fix if you are taking care of your vehicle and watching for these things. If not checked, it will make the transmission slip and eventually ruin it, and in cold weather you will have problems getting it going until it's warm.
Most corrosion problems are caused by the salt they put on the roadways during the winter months. It gets caught up in all the cracks and starts corroding everything.
The 6 CD changer is very fragile and intricate. Not a very good product, but if someone is impatient, it will ruin it if you do not follow the instructions on waiting for it to load. I had to replace mine because my son was impatient and did not follow the on-screen instructions.
The brakes are always going to wear down, especially since the new brake pads that they now manufacture are a low quality product. And that goes for most vehicles with brake issues. The SUV Rodeo is an off road vehicle, and is susceptible to more braking and turning than most vehicles.
Like every vehicle, basic routine maintenance is key to keeping it running efficiently and not running into these problems. Like anything else, if you neglect it, it will not work long. But if you haven't figured that out by now, then you're going to have to deal with these problems systematically, and end up paying much much more than that little bit of time it would have taken to love it just a little. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, eat healthy and check your oils please people!
16th Apr 2013, 15:19
A note on oil consumption .... this usually is a gasket leak at the oil pan. However if the maintenance has been neglected on this vehicle, the valves will eventually give out and you will burn oil faster than you can put it in. It starts at the radiator, and keeping fluids clean and properly filled! There's also a matter of how you drive the vehicle, and who is driving it and how hard they were driving it.
I found the 2002 Isuzu Rodeo LS V6 3.2L to be very efficient, but I don't think I would want to buy a used one that I have no idea if it has been taken care of!
Also, be aware of mechanics over diagnosing things that are usually just fine. And good luck.
18th Jan 2017, 22:25
I have a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo LSE with 150,000 miles on it. I have read many people talking about transmission problems. I too thought I had a transmission problem as the truck would not move in Drive, and started jerking and then stalling. This happened all in one day, mileage about 145,000. I took it to a transmission shop that was very, very honest (I know, surprised right).
Anyhow, to make a long story short. What I thought for sure was a transmission problem was not at all. It was the alternator going bad. This truck has a very complex computer system in it. If the computer is not getting consistent 12+ volts from the alternator, the computer will start doing crazy things. Don't forget, the computer tells the transmission when to shift and many other things. I changed the alternator and the truck transmission now works PERFECT. I was very surprised to find this out. Other transmission shops that are not so honest might have charged me to rebuild. The reason the alternator went bad was because of a leaking valve cover gasket dripping oil on it for a long period of time. My Isuzu runs and drives great now!!!
16th Jan 2011, 22:33
I purchased my 2002 Rodeo in September 2010. Although I love this truck, it's been a nightmare!
Problems:
Eats oil like water.
Radio comes on and off when it wants to. Had it looked at $40.
Check engine light always on. I got new wires, spark plugs couldn't pass inspection, had to come back the times after fixing all the things they said were wrong. I finally passed $300 + later.
Now the transmission is jerking and shifting like a stick. Had it fixed twice; well $500 later, and less than three weeks of driving, my transmission fluid and coolant are all outside on the ground.
Beautiful body, like new interior, and a piece of junk under the hood. Well needless to say I'm paying for a new car, and I'll be researching first.