Comments: 1-15, 16-28
I should have known from the start that his would be a troublesome purchase. I hadn't even driven the Rodeo off of the dealership property and the check engine light came on. It was a bad O2 sensor. Upon picking up my car, I noticed that the ABS light was on. Someone from service checked it and determined that it was a bad wheel sensor. Upon getting it back, I drove a full week and the ABS light came on again. This time the entire ABS control module needed to be replaced along with the other 3 wheel sensors. Fortunately for me, this was all covered under warranty. At 35,200 miles, my check engine light came on once again. I took it back to the dealership and they said there was a leak in the vacuum system which warranted an entire vacuum check and replacement of the plenum gasket. While doing this, the technician damaged the seals around the fuel injectors and thus created another problem even though it did not show up right away. My check engine light was also mysteriously disconnected. Everything seemed to be running alright until at 60 mph my engine stalled and I lost breaks and power steering. I took it in for service and they charged me 100 dollars to tell me nothing was wrong. "it is probably a bad tank of gas" they said. It happened two more times on the ride home. At this point my fuel guage started acting funny by not giving me a reading. I took the rodeo home and gave it a complete overhaul: dropped the fuel tank, fixed the sensor, pulled the fuel injectors and replaced the damaged seals, oil change, spark plugs, cleaned air filter, fuse terminals and battery connection. I drained the fuel tank and put a brand new tank of fuel in as well as changed the fuel filter. I added dry gas and fuel injection cleaner. I drove it two miles and the car died again. Unfortunately for me, no lights come on and the nearest Isuzu dealership tells me that nothing is wrong. I refuse to let my wife near the car for fear that something else will fail and hurt her or my daughter. Oh, did I mention that it goes through a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Although it seems like my car is on par for oil consumption. My recommendation is to stay away from Isuzu. They are more headache and frustration than anything else.
Stick with Toyota or Nissan as they have the best reputations.
Do your own research on the Rodeo before you buy one.
Don't be swayed by its good looks or rugged characteristics, it truly is a lemon.
Very similar problems. 1999 Isuzu Rodeo v6, 4wd. ABS light came on after about a month. Said it was a wheel sensor. Check engine light comes on and goes off erratically. Fuel gage started giving erroneous readings at about 60,000 miles. Drove it using odometer because of cost to fix it. Car uses about a quart of oil a week. I took it in at 90K to get bearings repacked and was told O2 sensor was shot. That was about $300. It is starting to run rough, but it is due for plug change anyway, so I will do that myself. It is paid off, but still costing me the same in repairs.
Pardon me folks, but are these not USED cars, with all the intendant problems therein? Perhaps you shouldn't blame the manufacturer for your failure to follow the rule of caveat emptor.
One bad apple doesn't spoil the bunch, its not Isuzus fault.
Yea these cars are great, you probably just got a bad batch and are mad. plus if these are used then who knows what the original owner did to them... or even the servicemen and the shop. think about it before taking it out on the company because they RULE in off roading and i can out do any pathfinder 4runner or explorer in 4 wheeling and they're way more comfortable than any of those cars
I too have had numerous problems with my 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. And none of the repairs were under $300.00. For the second time in three years, I had to have my ABS module replaced. Apparently, there is a recall on the ABS module. My first incident came in 2002 when my ABS light came on and stayed on. Then a funny sound like a big fan coming from inside my dashboard stayed on, even when my ignition was turned off. I found out that it drained my battery. To make a long story short, my module was replaced at a cost to me of $543.31 because it was no longer under warranty. Two weeks ago, the same exact problem happened with my ABS. The light came on, stayed on, drained my battery (I forgot that the ABS problem will drain the battery and did not disconnect it) and I took back to the Isuzu dealer only to find out that there had been an open recall on these ABS modules. This time the repairs did not cost me due to the recall. I called Isuzu company to inquire about a refund for the first service two years ago, but was told that a refund was not due to me because this time, they replaced the ABS with a different parts # then the ABS that was in my vehicle.
I Love this car. 1999 2wd Isuzu Rodeo. Extremely comfortable and rugged, only had a few problems that any layman could fix with a screwdriver and half a wit. I've been in two wrecks with it, neither being my fault, and it holds up like a champ. While the other cars were being towed away, I was popping out a dent and driving off. Sure, there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but that is true of every vehicle. I would recommend one to everyone who needs a great, dependable car.
I own a 1992 Isuzu Rodeo and also needed an O 2 sensor... simple enough? No after further inspection whole exhaust needed to be replaced along with practically EVERY PART!!!
These trucks are horrible gas hogs that are in terrible condition no matter how much $$$$ you invest.. I just put $1900.00 into it for new fuel pump and exhaust and guess what?Gas tank is cracked and leaking needs to replaced also!!!
You do realize this latter post is on a "1992" Rodeo? That truck is 13yrs old, you're gonna have to expect to put some money into a new exhaust and an O2 sensor, they don't last forever. $1900 on a 13yr old vehicle is not unexpected, especially if it has over 170K miles or so. By then I'm sure it would need some suspension parts, starter, alternator, battery, fuel pump, etc.
My sister has a dodge caravan, 4yrs old, and I can't even remember the high number of $$$ she's spent on parts that haven't even gone out on my 8yr old Rodeo.
I drive a 99 amigo which is essentially a 2door rodeo. we also have a 2002 isuzu axiom XS. Both cars have been trouble free.
I guess the difference is when you buy used - ours were bought brand new and have been cared for properly. I have 91,300 miles on my Amigo now and its still going strong. and gas guzzlers? yeah, just about the same with any SUV with a 3.2/3.5 liter V6 is gonna be a gas hog! - come on people they're not CARS!!!
Well, for all of you "these are used cars" folks, I have had mine since it had 3 miles on it, I am meticulous when it comes to maintenance, and I have most of the same problems that most of these other folks are listing. All in all, I have been satisfied with my 6 years of experience with the truck, but if almost everyone is having fuel guage problems and oil consumption problems, why hasn't there been a recall to address these? As a side note, even my mechanic said that he would NEVER by an Isuzu. The parts are just too expensive because you have to go to Isuzu to get them... there just is no secondary market for parts. My next truck will not be an Isuzu.
I too thought my 1999 Rodeo LS was not a bad car, despite the CD player that died 2 months after the 3 yr warranty ended, the two ABS replacements I had to have, and the gas gauge that stopped working at about 45,000 miles.
But then it threw a rod at 52,000 miles, despite proper maintenance throughout its life. A new engine is now needed at a cost of $9,000.00.
Reading these posts, I see that this has happened to many others also.
These trucks should be recalled.
I bought my 1999 Rodeo LSE new. Fuel gauge quit working, the ABS module went out, I had to have the transmission switch replaced 2000 miles after the warranty expired. The AC Compressor went out. At close to 100k miles the transmission is acting up, I had it serviced, but my mechanic says it is just a matter of time before the transmission goes completely.
Let's just face facts, the vehicle has issues, more than should be expected from any new car.
I bought my 1999 Rodeo LSE new. Fuel gauge quit working, the ABS module went out, I had to have the transmission switch replaced 2000 miles after the warranty expired. The AC Compressor went out. At close to 100k miles the transmission is acting up, I had it serviced, but my mechanic says it is just a matter of time before the transmission goes completely.
Let's just face facts, the vehicle has issues, more than should be expected from any new car.
I ha ve an isuzu rodeo 99 LSE, I love it.
I bought it used with 55.000 miles and just at 115.000 the fuel sensor broke. I bought the sensor for $50 and replaced with the help of a friend.
At about 100.000 miles was making marble noise, but I fixed it replacing the spark plugs (Denso). this is very easy to do, but the hardest spark plug to replace is te one that is closest to the driver side.
My rodeo just consu, e half a quarter of oil every 3.000 miles.
I'am a happy camper with this car.
Sorry for the ones who got lemons.
I have a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo LSE...new... don't get me wrong I love my car despite it's MAJOR issues... within the last year I've had to replace the entire engine, the entire transmission and just this morning as I was about to go to work my starter went out. it's cost me over $8,000 just to get it to a point where it will run... for a 21 year old college kid... that's my whole life's earning...
You guys say one rotten apple doesn't spoil the bunch... well this is a whole bunch of rotten apples... some of these cars weren't bought used and are STILL having issues... I'd personally stay away.