1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS from North America - Comments

I JUST signed my life away for 3 years on a '99 Rodeo LS V6 4X4 with 100K on it. Ugh... I wonder if I would have done that had I come across this site first?!?! I bought this pretty thing only about 2 weeks ago. I'm 25 and have owned, thus far, 4 Isuzus--2 Troopers, 1 Amigo, and now this one. I LOVE Isuzus... LOVE THEM! But, I'm a little scared of this one.

It's the newest vehicle I've ever owned--$ I make as shop manager at a dog kennel doesn't allow me to buy the NEW vehicle I crave--and already it's making me a little nervous. I did notice the oil consumption issue. Having owned so many Isuzus, I am absolutely always checking my oil--obsessively. I am also a tiny bit worried because I SWEAR I see that freakin' temp gauge wiggle the entire time I'm driving it. I was just burned by a HORRIBLE '98 Subaru Forester 2.5 DOC with stupid-dumb overheating issues, so I'm paranoid like crazy mad... but, I keep an eye on the coolant level like my life depends on it... Well, yesterday as I was adding the SECOND quart of oil in the 2 weeks I've owned the bloody thing, I thought (panic, panic, panic...) I saw some kind of oil goop IN my reservoir!!! GOOD LORD!!! It wasn't frothy or white or anything, and the fluid is bright and healthy green, except for the drops of clean, healthy looking oil in a place they really shouldn't be!!!... Anybody out there had this? It doesn't really seem like a head gasket issue... but???... Ugh... I'm worried and venting.

My point is, has anybody had small amounts of strange little oil blobbies formed in their coolant reservoir?... I'm terrified that this feeling in the pit of my stomach isn't just paranoia due to the horrid experience with the Subaru.

Also, to rant just a bit more, does any one elses Rodeo sound like a tractor?! I thought it was just the normal Isuzu racket that they all seem to make, but now that I'm all worried and freaked out, I'm wondering if it really IS normal!!! Somebody PLEASE put my mind to ease! I thought this was such a great purchase two weeks ago!

It does run and drive like a tank, the way all my Isuzus have. I just hope I didn't land another lemon like the Suby.

~Jillian

Eldred, PA

One more quick question... anybody out there know where I could get a good 4 cyl. gas engine for a '90 Trooper, preferably out of a manual truck? Email me please-- jb_crow7@yahoo.com

I have a 2000 Rodeo; had it for a year.

The second year it spun a rod bearing. I've had the motor rebuilt now, the check engine light stays on with a code of p1120 (tps1 circuit). I have changed the TPS and checked all the wiring going to the TPS. If any one has any ideas about this problem, can ya let me know?

My Isuzu Rodeo 1999 runs like a charm. I think it's a good idea for some of you guys having problems to join planetisuzoo.com. A lot of experienced folks there who can help you get your problems fixed. The gas gauge thing is just a problem with all Isuzus, Isuzu even had a recall and fixed them for free for while, but you can fix it yourself for less than 50 bucks.

Bought my 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS 2wd manual transmission brand new in 1999 as my first new vehicle. It currently has 208k miles on it!

I have never experienced the issues the folks are posting to this site on my vehicle other than the gas gauge that went out on me about 7 years ago. I never got around to get fixed cause it was not really an issue.

The only other issue is it does make a very light humming sound from shifting to first to second; it has been doing that for years. I have taken it to get checked out a couple of times but the mechanics could not find anything wrong with it.

Other small things is my stereo blew out 3 times when I first got it, and the fan clutch broke. Luckily it was still under warranty at the time.

I maintain it very well. Always on time for oil changes and scheduled maintenance.

It runs like a charm. It has outlasted two other cars I have bought after it. I brag on it sometimes cause I have not even had to change the brake pads yet!

I told my son (who is 13 now) it is all his once he starts driving. It is funny, he started in the car seat and soon he will be in the driver's seat of our old faithful Rodeo.

Okay. I'm back. I've owned my '99 Rodeo now for just over a month. The panic-stricken freak-out stage, thank God, is finally over. I've owned enough Isuzus to know that they are a creature to be taken with a grain of salt. I don't know what I was thinking writing the earlier blog about the oily goop in the radiator fluid and all that crap. I suppose it's just that, sad as it is, this truck is the newest vehicle I've ever owned, and perhaps a bit of the buyer's remorse had set in. The thing DOES have issues. Actually, it turns out it needs a motor rebuild or a new motor. BUT, again, I know these animals. I can get away with changing the forth spark plug (the one that keeps getting fouled with oil) every 3 or 4 months, adding a bottle of Lucas Stop-Leak to my oil every oil change, and adding a quart of heavy duty oil every few hundred miles.

Granted, the first month was a little HORRIBLE:

1st week, she blew a tire (obviously not the truck's fault but a sign of things to come, perhaps)

2nd week, she blew the serpentine belt (the 1st of THREE)

3rd week, she was chewing up the 2nd belt

Same week, I put a new tensioner and belt on her and discovered the motor issue... wanted to puke.

4th week, she ate her third belt and did a number on her 4th.

THIS WEEK - YAY - I took her back to the dealership I bought her from with every intention of lighting the guy on fire... and burst into tears instead. What can I say. I AM a girl, after all. I forget this sometimes... but it WORKED!!! The guy ordered me yet ANOTHER belt and did a little investigating. Turns out some idiot put the main pulley from an OLD Rodeo on her that required a belt that was half as wide as the one my truck runs. Hence, the cause (hopefully) of the belt chewing issue.

She still has a bad motor. I'm not happy about that. BUT, I can deal with the half-assed quick-fix til I can afford to give her a transplant.

Truth is, either your are an Isuzu-Girl (or Man) or you are not an Isuzu-Girl (or Man). I do LOVE ISUZUS. I've had 4 already since I was 18 (25 now) and I know this one won't be my last. I just hope week 6 and onward are less stressful. I don't really want to light anybody on fire OR burst into tears again any time soon.

If you're having problems with your Isuzu and you're reading this, maybe it'll give you some comfort in knowing that SOMETIMES it's really not as bad as it seems.

~Jillian

OK, I've got 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4 wheel drive and having same problems as many of you:

Wiper problems

Gas gage problems

Instrument panel lights

Other strange things with lights flashing when using turn signal

And just tonight, couldn't get gear shift (automatic) out of park.

What are we to do? paddln@yahoo.com

We bought a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo new in 2000. Until now the only problem we had with it was the EGR valve getting stuck. This happened numerous times. One day it started making a noise like a rod was knocking. We checked the oil and it had totally disappeared. No oil in it at all! It is parked daily in our garage and there is no sign of oil ever dripping and it was not smoking and burning oil. We have had regular maintenance on it since day one. We always changed the oil at 5,000 miles, even though the owners manual recommends 7,500. So now we are wondering if we should replace the engine or buy something else.

I just found this page - very interesting.

I bought my 99 Rodeo LS, 3.2 V6 2 WD automatic in 2003 with 48,000 miles on it. Now I have 185,000 (mostly SF bay area freeway). The only problem I've had (knock on wood) is now the tranny is acting up a little. Hard shift between 2nd and 3rd every once in awhile. If I let it sit for a few days it acts fine for the day I do drive it, but the next day it does that hard shift thing. Then it's like every other day or so. Other than this I have had no problems what-so-ever. Guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Anybody else have this type of problem? I've had the tranny flushed once, that sorta helped. Guess I'll do it again.

1998 Rodeo;

OK, like others I bought myself a used Rodeo before finding this forum, so now I'm in deep.

My Rodeo was fond of oil and drank about a litre per 700-1000 kms. I am planning on taking it on a little 4k kms road trip, and 2 weeks ago it really started to smoke. So what to do, since it is paid off I decided to have the engine rebuilt.

It comes back tomorrow, does anyone have experience with doing a rebuild? I am curious to know if the rebuild will solve the oil consumption issues. Also if anyone has any good break-in advice for the rebuilt motor, I would love to hear from you.

Tritnz.

I own a 1999 Rodeo LS 3.2L V6 engine with auto trans, I bought this vehicle new and now have 88K miles on it (it has been used daily, just mostly short trips). The biggest maintenance issues I've dealt with are an ABS module (replaced under warranty), rear engine oil seal leak (minor oil drip, but had it fixed), gas gauge (replaced in fuel tank module myself) and shifter solenoid (replaced myself). Over a ten year period I don't consider the repairs excessive and in fact would say it is an extremely reliable car (never left me stranded). My advice to owners, keep up on the maintenance and enjoy the vehicle as long as you can.