2001 Isuzu Rodeo LSE from North America - Comments

At 84,000 miles the dash cluster needed to be replaced. My entire dash did not work.

The alternator went at 83,000 miles. When this blew it blew the main fuse under the hood which in turn blew out the diodes in the dash requiring an entirely new dash cluster. When a dash cluster is replaced they mark your car "true mileage unknown". Thereby decreasing the value of the car significantly.

The rear windshield wiper still does not work after replacing the wiper unit, and the wiper motor (Which by the way cost $165.00). When they were replacing all of the electrical equipment in the dash they indicated there was nothing wrong with the switch in the dash and said it had to be the wiper motor. (I did not tell them that the wiper motor had been replaced and it still did not work).

The bearing on the fan which cools the engine went. You normally can get this part from an auto parts dealer such as Napa or Auto Zone. Not for a Rodeo... i had to buy the part from the dealer which was $298.00. Yup, for a bearing.

The 6 disc changer has malfunctioned also.

The light behind the temp control dial does not work, so in order to adjust the temp and the direction the air is forced (defrost, floor, etc) you have to turn on the reading lamp.

The check engine light has been reset numerous (we are talking at least 10) times.

If any repairs are needed it is VERY costly. Parts are very expensive. Every mechanic that has fixed my car has said it is a nightmare.

The car is terrible in the snow. I could do 360's all day long on the roads if there is the slightest amount of snow or slush on the road.

Wow I just bought a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo (S Model) 4x4 with the 3.2 motor and automatic Transmission. I usually do most of my own work on my cars and this 2001 with 42K miles for $9995 sounded like a great deal so I bought it. I am now terrified after reading the majority of these postings which are very negative about the car. I have several questions and wanted to see if anyone could please help me.

I have only driven the car 400 miles (problem free so far!)

1. I see that some people refer to the 3.5 liter motor. Is this something outside of teh US offered? I see the only V6 available for 98'-02' Rodeos as the 3.2 liter.

2. I am a backyard mechanic and do most of my work. Could someone explain the design flaw in the motor that causes the oil consumption to me please?

3. I hear so many people taling about rod knock, seized motors, tec, etc. If the oil is watched at every fill up as I usually do (I'm a car nut) will these motors last?

4. Could someone explain teh wiring problem that I have heard so many talk about and have had to replace their expensive main wiring harnesses. Also in one posting I read that you could cheaply protect the wiring under the fuse box and at the firewall. Any one know?

5. The car supposedly has a 20 gallon gas tank although when the light comes on and shows empty in only takes 13.5 gallons? Is it usually the gauge, sending unit in the gas tank, or something more?

Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing back. My email is hychamaz@aol.com.

Sincerely yours, Graham.

I have a 96 rodeo 3.2 liter 4x4. I have 125,000 on it without any troubles. The starter finally went out. There can be no complaints here. It is hard to work on, but no worse than any modern vehicle.

I purchased a 2001 LSE model in 2001 with 14K miles on it. Everything worked except the rear window washer... no water. I get it serviced every 3K to 5K miles. Just before 80K miles, the transmission went out... $2100.00, the fuel gauge does not work and it's connected to the fuel pump...$900.00. 1 year later and the transmission still doesn't work properly and it's going back into the shop. The check engine light is on all the time, the A/C comes on and goes off randomly, the CD changer doesn't work, the interior lights on the dash don't work and the thing sucks oil as if it's going out of style!! 2 weeks ago I had to be towed because I lost ALL of my oil at once and none of the mechanics could figure out where it went!?! I have sunk over $4K into this car over a period of 14 months!! I would STRONGLY urge anyone looking to buy a rodeo to reconsider and buy something more reliable!!! I will never be purchasing another Isuzu.