2003 Isuzu Rodeo from North America - Comments

First, we drove the car off the lot and a day later we noticed the special trim that we had to pay extra for and didn't even want, but it was all they had - the trim was hanging off the passenger side door. Called the dealer and I was told to bring the car in because they needed to take a picture to send into Isuzu for warranty claims. Took the car in and the dealer never even took a picture, just wrote down what I could have told him over the phone. He told me I would hear back in a few days when the new trim came in - well almost two weeks later after not hearing from them - I called - they couldn't find my file and I had to bring the car back in for them to see what was wrong. Again, they ordered the part and two days later they told me it was in, well it wasn't the trim they ordered - they went and ordered the Isuzu name plate, so again - I had to wait another couple of days - the trim comes in and they fix it.

Second, at about 20,000 miles I took the car to Midas to get a oil change and I asked them to look at the brakes because I was hearing something funny - they told me the brakes were fine. Two weeks later the ABS light came on - I took it into the dealer the brakes were shot - we had to get completely new front brakes. Everything was under warranty except the stupid ABS light - it wouldn't go off, so they had to order a new light or something and we had to pay $300 for that.

Third, we had to get a completely new transmission and transfer case at 50,000 miles. Apparently, the transfer case was completely dry - absolutely no fluid in it, but yet we had no leaks - I don't get it??? And there was no warning that the fluid was low. Again, everything was under warranty, but the dealer is like 30 minutes from our house and it was pain because their courtesy shuttle didn't come out that far to pick me up - despite the fact I drove to them to buy a brand new car.

Then at 55,000 miles - I went back in to have the drive shaft replaced. I was without a car again for about 2 days.

Then at 60,000 miles the check engine starting going on and off. This turned out to be the intake valves. And they had my car from a Friday to a Monday - I picked up the car Monday night and drove about 10 minutes from the dealer when the light came back on - I almost purposely crashed it when this happened. Took the car back the next day and there was still something wrong with the intake valves.

Now, at 63,000 miles I'm noticing the gas gauge is totally wrong. I will fill up and 10 minutes later, I'm already at a quarter tank! Today, I was showing to be low on gas - close to E - then I got home and was sitting in my car talking on the phone and the engine was still running when I looked at the gauge and all of a sudden, it had a 1/4 tank of gas!

I'm also noticing the car to be shaking a lot anytime I'm over 50 mph. Not sure what this is yet and not sure if I even want to deal with it.

Do not buy an Isuzu!!

I second that!!! Do not buy an Isuzu!!!

A 4wd system needs to be watched and maintained as it's a part time system and can be prone to damage from neglect after long periods of inactivity. Say you didn't use 4wd for a year or something, then the 4wd system would probably be worn, locked, or something else would be wrong with it. Its not a thing to forget about.

Everything else = isuzu's fault.

Do you guys realize that the transmission is a GM/Chevy product, not Isuzu? Granted it is in an Isuzu, but it's a Chevy product issue.

I bought a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo in December of 2003. Since that date I have had to put up with a sewer scent from the exhaust pipe. The dealer said it was the new vehicle and the oil, but two years later I am smelling the same scent. What can I do to stop this scent because it is embarrassing if I am in a crowd or an airport area. There is also this screeching noise like an old car that comes from the tires what can I do to rectify my problem?

Isuzu has made fantastic cars in the past...

It's a shame that this one reads out to be crap...

By the looks of it, the 1990 3.1l Trooper is far more reliable...

Damn you chevy!!!

Well I own a 2003 rodeo and I had it from 2003...brand new. Its now 2006, and it is fine. I have never had a problem with it. I love it. I treat it like mess... basically I do lots of off roading and I don't even service it regularly. My SUV runs perfectly and I love it to death. I have no complaints with it. Sad that you guys do though. Good Luck!

I own a 2003 Rodeo V6 that is fully loaded. It has 28,000 miles on it. It has been absolutely trouble free! Sorry to hear that there are a few bad apples out there. But, I would buy another one if they still made them. As to the bad service at Isuzu, I would not know, I take mine to a Honda dealer for routine service. The Passport and Rodeo are the same truck. Isuzu is the oldest truck manufacture in Japan and they did over build the Rodeo, with proper service they can do 200,000 miles easy.

I have had a rattle in my exhaust since I purchased it in 2006. Now the rattle I am told in inside the cat, and it is getting worse! Does anyone else have this problem? My exhaust also smells like the sewer. I threw 6 codes in November of last year it cost me 1000.00 for diagnostics and valve gaskets and 1 O2 sensor. It is for sale, it has 66,000 miles and is in great shape, all except for the rattle!