1991 Isuzu Rodeo S from North America - Comments

The valve cover gaskets leaked when I bought the vehicle, but not so bad as to concern me greatly. I have yet to replace them and only need to add a quart about every six weeks (I don't measure the oil usage in terms of miles because it leaks whether I drive it or not).

The drivers seat has some wear, but it is an eleven year old vehicle.

This is the first four wheel drive vehicle I've owned, but not the first I've driven and it handles beautifully both on and off road.

The engine is only rated at 120 horsepower, but if it had any more than that it could get scary. It runs great and burns no oil. The cylinder compression is high enough to lock up the rear end during rapid down shift and oil pressure is still like new.

The cargo area is limited in this model year because of the spare tires location in the cargo area and rear speakers mounted on the wheel wells in the cargo area.

I have a 1991 and a 1992LS it seems that the motors go out more frequently than I would have immagined, but I love the interior on the ls, the 91's is so so, but I can't stand the fact that those speakers are mounted that way in the back.

I have a '91 Rodeo and have had so many electrical/sensor problems with it. Our neighbor has a '92 and has had similar problems too. Mine has 135,000 miles on it and I have to continually take it in to be fixed. Sometimes our mechanic can run a diagnostic on it and find the problem, and sometimes he can't. It has always had a slight "bucking/lurching" problem that has never completely gone away and come and goes over the weeks and months. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it--it does it in the rain, in the heat, day and night, etc. Last time it started bucking slightly and then simply died on the road--just like that. I left it at the mechanics for 5 weeks and he was unable to find a problem or have it do the same for him. I drove it out of his yard, started home and had the same problem. It could simply be that we have a lemon on our hands because so many other people just love their Rodeos. However, the neighbors ran fine for a couple of years and then started developing the electrical/sensor problems too. They were unable to fix it in the long run and unloaded it cheap. Looks like that is my only option too. I hope others have better luck with theirs!

As the original owner of a 1991 Rodeo LS (4x4, manual), I'm still very happy with my purchase after 16 years. No body rust, no major mechanical problems (2 clutches in 240,000 km is not excessive for this type of vehicle), still looks good and shiny.

Horsepower is just adequate, but torque is terrific. Roomy and comfortable. Okay on the freeway, but it really shines on the logging roads here in British Columbia. Sadly Isuzu has abandoned Canada and parts are hard to get now.