1997 Isuzu Rodeo LS from North America - Comments

1.Paint keep pealing on front bumper.

2.Both rear windows do not go down.

3.Dash lights were half way out at purchase, soon after (1 week later) they went completely out.

4.Engine won't stop ticking no matter what I have done to it.

5. Seats are uncomfortable, and have started to wear at the creases.

The 1997 Isuzu Rodeo isn't a bad car, actually it is one of the better SUV's on the market. The Rodeo just has some very strange traits that they all seem to have. The notorious ticking from the engine is horrible, and embarrassing. I get so tired of people telling me that I need to put some oil in it, or one of my lifters are bad. I have not come across any 1991-1997 Rodeo that does not tick. Shortly after the purchase of my vehicle my dash lights went completely out, on a late night trip to work on the freeway. Even having replaced them the still aren't, very bright in certain spots. My rear windows have never went completely down, but now the don't even budge. My front bumper is pealing and I don't know whether to paint it, or get another one, its hard to find a used one particularly because that are pealing to. It makes the car look older than it really is. When driving high speeds there is constant wind noise as if a window is down. I know know if its just me or simply because this is my first SUV, but the gas mileage this thing gets is horrible, $25 dollars worth of gas will disappear seems if you just drive up the road. But all is not bad with this vehicle, it really is a maintenance free vehicle, though I was hoping the engine might have been built by Honda, now I'm a little worried to find out it might be a GM engine. I would recommend one to someone that has a troublesome Ford or Chevy SUV, but I will stick to cars as soon as I can find someone who will give me close to what I payed for it... poor resale value.

I owned a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo for ten years. It was the worst car I ever owned. The engine in your Isuzu is a 3.1 liter six cylinder GM engine. We too had problems with a ticking engine. It was a stuck lifter. All Isuzu Rodeos get this condition. It does not damage anything. It is simply annoying. To work around the issue change the oil. I suggest you call the dealer service advisor to find out which grade to use. I think it was straight 30 weight, but am not sure. It should stop the lifter from sticking, but as the oil gets older it will resume. We found that we had to change oil about every 3000 miles as this was when the lifter stuck again. Good luck and brace yourself for some expensive repair bills. Isuzu Rodeos are not easy vehicles to repair.

Previous poster is incorrect. I have had 2 Rodeo's, a '91 & '97.

The 1991-92 Rodeo's have the 3.1L V6 GM/Chevy engine.

93-95 Rodeo's have the 3.2L SOHC V6 *Isuzu* engine - 175HP.

95.5-97 Rodeo's have the 3.2L SOHC V6 Isuzu engine - 190HP.

98-2004 Rodeo's have the 3.2L DOHC V6 Isuzu engine - 205HP.

I have owned both Rodeo's - '91 w/3.1L GM engine & '97 w/3.2L Isuzu engine since new, & have over trouble free 165k miles on both.

I will admit to the 3.2L Isuzu engine being more difficult to work on, and yes, they - but NOT all - do tick.

Mine does not tick, I use Valvoline Maxlife 10w-30 w/Napa Gold filter every 3-4k miles.

The tick is more of an annoyence, and seems louder with certain oil filters; but, these engines are unstoppable. I'd have to say that I believe the Isuzu 3.2L SOHC is built like a brick - it's one VERY stout engine.

I have a 97 Rodeo. It has 235K. This is the first year I have replaced any engine components; A/C compressor, starter.

It does have it's quirks and yes there are different methodologies for quieting the tick.

I have never been stranded in this vehicle. It never quits.

In fact, my Rodeo has been so reliable, solid and loyal, I am having the engine re-built and plan on keeping it for as long as the frame stays together. The engine re-build will cost more than the vehicle is worth on the market. There are so many sissy SUV's out there today, I just don't trust them and can't justify paying the price for one of them. If you have a Rodeo, take care of it, keep up on maintenance, keep it clean and deal with the little quirks.