2004 Isuzu Rodeo 3.2L V6 from North America - Comments

After 3 months of owning the vehicle (I purchased it brand new), the check engine light kept coming on and off. Took it to the dealer, they found nothing and turned it off. Few weeks later is was back on - took it to the dealer again, they had to order some type of parts for it. This was frustrating too because the closest Isuzu dealer is about 45 minutes away from me. They then told me they didn't recommend me driving it without getting the parts replaced (don't even remember what it was) so it sat there for 3 days until the parts could come in... and that was because I paid $90 for the shipping (the rest was covered under warranty) for rush shipping, otherwise they said it could take about 2 weeks for the parts to come in. And of course, they didn't offer any loaner cars!

Can't roll down the passenger window or the driver side back window - no idea why, just stopped one day.

This has got to be the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I've had it a little over 2 years now and will be rid of it in a couple of days - finally went and traded it in. I can't stand the way it drives. It has absolutely no pick-up, the ride is horrible - way too bumpy and sloppy, everything in the car seems cheap and flimsy (guess that's why it sells for so cheap).

I can't believe how much gas this car guzzles. With the prices of gas being so high now, this is really a con! I drive about 300-400 miles per week and have to fill up at minimum twice a week (costs me about $100 a week just for gas!).

The seats are not comfortable - but the car is roomy.

The look of the Rodeo is what got me sold on the car - wish I would have never gone to even look at it!

The resale value is horrible - its unbelievable how much value this car loses.

I agree with you completely. I purchased my 04 Rodeo new and gave me so many problems I can't wait to get rid of it. I have the 3.5 engine, so pick-up is great and gets about 21 mpg, no complaints there, but this is my 3rd engine in it after I had own it for 4 months. I too had to drive far away and they had my car for a month while replacing the engine. The new engine came in damage so they needed another one. I called the BBB and they helped get me a loaner for 2 weeks. The ISUZU dealership I bought it from and had it serviced 3 times before is a joke. I don't think they even touch the truck. As soon as I got the truck back it started to stall on me and they told me don't get the truck wet, lol. Also the key chip wouldn't recognize my key so it wouldn't start. I paid a lot of money for this truck and after 2 years it's worth 1/3rd of what I paid for it. This is my last ISUZU.

I have owned my 2004 Isuzu Rodeo for about two years now. I have had no problems, mechanical or others. I am concerned about the resale value, but I was well aware of the depreciation factor, considering I was buying an "Isuzu." I plan on keeping my Rodeo well past the maturing of the loan. I have enjoyed my Rodeo and don't have anything negative to say about it.

I say buy the Freelander, or a Rav4. They are much better cars than the Isuzu. Better on and off road, and in the cabin.

Agree about the RAV4, but not about the Freelander. It's not known as the worst 4X4 so far for nothing...

I have had my LSE 2004 SUV Rodeo now for like a year or so and I have had no problems in it what so ever.

Its back seats are roomy and comfortable little a bit less convenient anteriorly though. The engine power is just perfect, however, it is not a racing car and you don't expect to race with other cars on road anyways...

I like the smart suspension system and the luxurious options in it...

It is beautiful, at least to me...

I would recommend it to work on acceleration and on more room anteriorly as well as on ASR/ESR systems to be installed.

Rav4 better off road then the Rodeo?? You have to be kidding me. Smaller too.

LOL dealers are funny. How do you turn off a MIL (check engine light) you can clear the code set, but it will only return within a few miles because of the original problem. If your check engine light is on there is something wrong and usually when the codes are read it points directly to the problem. Cars are fairly smart these days, I'm talking from the late 80's to now if your check engine light is on the reason is pretty obvious once the codes are read don't waste time at a dealer take it to autozone or something like that and have them read the OBD codes and suggest a fix... or hell for some cars like Cadillac or Chrysler the instrument cluster can tell you how to fix the problem. I'm not a big fan of imports, but hey if you want something great off-road and reliable get a Jeep with a 4.0 inline six they will run a million miles without a problem.

On the last comment a Jeep in-line 4 with a V-6 was recommended as being reliable and my neighbor has a 98 Jeep Laredo for sale. After reading all the bad comments on the Camry and Accords I am really scared to buy one thinking they wouldn't be as maintenance free as I have heard EVERYONE say. What kind of mileage does the Jeep get? Thanks.

I purchased a 2004 Rodeo, and was initially pleased. Within the first year the check engine light started coming on. I called the dealer and quickly learned that I would be without my vehicle for longer than I could deal with. No work, No pay. So I took it to auto zone and was told the problem. 02 Sensor. Shortly there after, the REDUCED POWER light came on (acceleration was at a crawl). So to remedy the problem. I loosened the Pos post (disconnect for approx 15 minutes), and now keep it loose to make it home. The check engine light and reduced power light comes on about every couple hundred miles. Oh, did I mention, sometimes turning the ignition key gets no response. I have to keep trying to start it by turning the key back and forth. What a lemon. Paint on the Hood has started developing crows feet from the cracking of the clear coat. GOOD LUCK.

I had a 1991 Rodeo and got 130K miles out of it. Traded it in for a 2004 Rodeo - Big mistake! After 3 years the reduced power light came on and it barely gets above 30 mph. Dealer bought from got bought out, closest one hour and half. Just got it back from a local mechanic who could do nothing. He thought he found the solution through Internet sources that said bad green or blue wire. Must have been 40 green blue wires under the hood, traced them all and found nothing. Mechanic thinks its in the computer and would not touch that. Now, I'm stuck with a hunk of junk. Never buying another Isuzu, but what does it matter now, they are about to go under.