2001 Isuzu Rodeo LS from North America - Comments

I bought my 1995 Rodeo brand new. I currently have driven over 160k miles with only one real problem; the starter had to be replaced around 90k miles. Since I've owned the Rodeo I've changed the fluids regularly and changed the plugs and plug wires twice. I changed the timing belt, water pump, belts and radiator hoses at 100k just as a matter of preventive maintenance. Just this week, I had to replace a failed timing belt tensioner. It made a ticking noise so loud that the rodeo was almost too embarrassing to drive. Took me two weeks and several failed $5 fixes to abandon the ticking lifter explanation. Other than that it has been a very reliable vehicle and it has served me well. Absolutely no regrets and I plan on getting another 35k miles out of it at minimum!

2000 "Honda" Passport...2WD Automatic, 136,000 miles.

Seriously guys... What were we thinking? My Transmission is doing the same thing. Shifting extremely hard into first and sometimes 2nd gear. I changed the fluid myself and it was working for 2 whole days! (note sarcasm). There is a leak from the small pan in front of the transmission. There appears to be a hole where something went above this little pan. Anyone know what this is???

Also, have the SAME problem with the gear indicator being in park even though the car was really in "drive" or "1". You couldn't GIVE me another "Isuzu" EVER again. I'm going back to the REAL Honda, or Toyota or Nissan. Honestly Isuzu. Where are your morals?

So, I really wanted a Nissan Pathfinder, but got a 2002 Passport instead. It was used with 60K miles. I got a 30 day warranty. Well at about 2months the check engine light started going on and off. Then I got a tune-up and the engine light will no longer go off. I took it to get a part replaced because I had an exhaust leak, and the guy got it to go off, but it came back on as soon as I drove off with it. I got the same vibrating issues when I am on the parkway. I am a new driver so a lot of the other issues I am not really aware of, but I just pray it takes me home safely each day! OH and in the mornings when I warm it up and throw it in gear, it cuts off and I have to restart it. If anyone has any suggestions, please email me at orielshay1@yahoo.com. The cutting off issue is what is making me really nervous. Down the highway it is fine, but I am scared I come to a stop and it cuts off on me somewhere dangerous as it has done this to me once or twice at a stoplight or stop sign!

I have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo that has 98000 miles on it. I bought it used in 2004. I had no problems until this past year. I had a crack in the flex pipe part of the exhaust. The part cost almost 500.00. Also I had times when it would take 5-100 key turns to start, sometimes it started with no problem. I had it towed from my work today because it wouldn't start at all. They put a new started in and it worked (So Far). Also sometimes the auto transmission would shift rough, like a jerking move as well as when I was about to stop, it would jerk thus engaging the anti-lok brakes. They told me that may have been related to the bad starter because the starter initially charges the tranny? I dunno? I took it to a tranny shop last month and they charged me 500.00 stating that the codes read a bad computer switch and they replaced the computer switch. Oh well that was a waste of money, Also broke the rear tail-light fixture in order to change the bulb. Needs a quart of oil a month and you can't have the truck in 4x4 for a extended period of time or it grinds and slips into a noisy neutral... Overall I like my Truck!!!

Well nobody seems to like it but I'm very happy with it. It runs so nice oddly enough and and drives pretty well. My top speed is 159mph, no lie. Isuzu is not built to last though. I only have 70000 miles on it and I'll be getting rid of it by 80000. 90 is too much. Word of advice is don't complain about a car that you've ran to the ground.

I bought my 2001 Isuzu Rodeo in 6/06. It had a strange smell on warm days, kinda like dirty socks. But, I figured that was from a previous owners hygiene.

I drove it from NY to WA. without any problems.

I religiously do oil changes and fluid checks every 3000 miles. I am not a rough driver. In fact I baby the suv.

The dash lights on the heater don't work anymore, even after checking fuses. I was driving down the freeway on a rainy day and my driver side wiper suddenly quit, causing my passenger side wiper to collide with it, and they got tangled up together. Turned out it was a bolt worn off the linkage connecting the driver side wiper to the passenger side.

It goes through oil really badly, and I realized I must do oil changes now every 2000 miles. The oil light never comes on, nor does the check engine light. I don't seem to have a transmission problem, but just the other day driving again on the freeway coming home from work, the engine started making knocking noises and banging noises. I immediately pulled off to a gas station. I didn't turn it back on. It came home on a tow dolly. After calling a licensed mechanic, and towing it to his shop, I found I had thrown a rod. Not sure how, as I have kept it oiled and babied, so now I need a new engine. I have only had the Rodeo for 2 yrs, and only 20,000 miles. Here's hoping my extended warranty will cover the cost. Course that is after mechanic has to remove engine, tear it apart to find out exactly why a rod broke (at my cost). Then, the warranty company will decide if it is my fault or an engine defect. I have all my service records so here is hoping that the warranty will be honored.

I own a 2002 Isuzu Rodeo S, 4x2, 2.2 ltr, 5 speed manual transmission, and currently it has 85,000 miles on it. I brought it brand new off the lot. I am stationed overseas in the military so I can't take it to a Isuzu dealer because it doesn't exist overseas. I've been doing most of the repairs on my own because of this. The problems I have had with the rodeo is:

- Adding oil constantly even when it was new.

- Fuel Sensor when out. (Repaired)

- ABS light is on and is still on since no one will look at it except for Isuzu.

- Head Gasket leaking coolant. (Repaired)

- EGR Valve (Repaired)

- Throttle Position Sensor (Repaired)

- A/C Compressor works when it wants.

- Camshaft Position Sensor (Repaired)

- Valve Cover Gasket (Repaired)

I still owe my rodeo but the work put into it is outrageous. The only good thing I can say about my rodeo is that it has never left me on the roadside.

Isuzu 2000, transmission replaced at 104k =/ $2200.

2000 Rodeo, bought in 2008. 100300 miles, no serious problems. I did noticed one day my key would not come out of the ignition switch, and that lasted until I found the linkage cable from the ignition side to the shifter. I found that if you pull the cable towards the shifter, then it comes out, so I just zipped tied it closer to the shifter, and boom works fine now every time. Still new with this; will update if/when anything else goes wrong.

I own and 2000 Honda Passport 2wd. So far I haven't had any major issues with it; my fuel pump went out on me and it cost around 350 to get it all fixed.

Just recently I replaced the battery when the car died out of nowhere. I took the car to auto zone and they told me that the battery was bad, so I got a new one and it was fine for a few weeks.

About 6 days I went to work with everything working normal. When I got off work, I went to turn the key and the lights would turn on the dashboard, but when you turn the key to turn on the car, you would get that clicking sound you get when you battery's dead. I was able to get a jump, and when I took the car to the mechanic they said everything was working OK, and I might have left something open or on.

Yesterday the same thing, but this time when I turned the key, no light would come on; everything is dead. I got a jump and got the car going, but the ABS light came on and it would turn off my stereo, kinda like short circuit.

When I got home I turned it off to see if it was charged and nothing. The car is completely dead. This morning I had to get it jump started so the car would turn on, but the ABS comes on only when the car is in motion, when the car comes to a complete stop, the light will turn off.

I have '02 Trooper. You can't give me another Trooper. Turn the AC on and you can see the gas hand move. Now my transmission module/harness has gone out. If I had known that it didn't have a trans dipstick to check the trans oil level, I would have left it on the lot. Problem. No one carries an Isuzu trans module. Right now I'm looking for one when I ran across this site. Please do not buy an Isuzu Trooper.

My dad bought my mother a 2001 Rodeo in 2003. This has been an awesome ride.

It almost sounds like to me, since there is no dipstick, fewer people are not checking their transmission fluid. It is true that there is no dipstick, and you have to check underneath the vehicle. I know it's a pain, but this is a GM transmission and we have had wonderful luck out of this SUV. It has over 150,000 miles on it.

The only problems we are having are:

The engine light stays on.

The CD player doesn't work.. it errors.

There is a seal leaking on the transmission, which is being repaired. What sucks is that you have to unbolt the transmission from the motor to change some of the seals in the transmission.

It has been a wonderful vehicle, and I think it's normal for these things to happen. Being an owner of a Toyota 4-Runner, Chevrolet trucks and cars, Nissan and Honda, problems happen with all vehicles.

I want to reiterate the fact that there is no dipstick. You must have a dealer to check this for you because it does require a special transmission fluid, from the dealer. If not, your problems will get worse. I am not a dealer, but have been around auto's all my life. My dad was a mechanic. I had a GEO Storm, which is an Isuzu product; I put 279,000 miles on that before I traded it for my Nissan Altima. The Altima was very nice, but I liked the Rodeo too... It's an awesome vehicle for the price, and if you get tired of looking at the engine light, put a piece of black tap over it, so you won't see it!

As for the CD player, that it just wrong! Six disk CD player and can't use it.

Oh yes, and tires do matter on these babies.

My mom loves her Toyota 4-Runner, my dad sunk a ton of money in it, but it has transmission problems also! From my perspective, it's all about how you treat things, and sometimes there are just duds out there! My mother's is in the shop now having a seal replaced. So we will go from there!

I have a 96 Isuzu Rodeo with 160,000 miles. I purchased it at 75,000 five years ago. In that time I have replaced the starter, alternator and thermostat. That does not include normal maintaining. Now the back windows do not roll up, motors have died, and the cables that run the windows are broken. All this is really understandable for a car this old.

Two major issues that I encountered. The alternator had to be new; something was wrong with all three re-built alternators I purchased. Apparently Isuzu grounds the internal electrics off the alternator, and that is not usual and the rebuilds do not anticipate this.

Also the housing on the throttle cable in the engine melted one day. Not because the engine over heated; just one day melted. Anyway, it caused the throttle to stick. Very scary; if it were not for having a standard, the car would be totaled, and I would be dead or injured. First time it happened I was on the high-way. Simple fix though, just wipe the gunk off.

Yes it burns oil, and yes it has a check engine light, but it has served me well. I am looking to replace the car now. Between the windows brakes shocks (all normal wear) and the MPG, I might as well replace it for a new car. Think I will buy a Honda Civic; 32MPG is a lot better than 18MPG.

I own a 1997 Honda Passport 2WD, 3.2 engine. I have had it since new and it currently has 220,000 miles on it. I have no intention of selling or trading this car for the foreseeable future. I have changed oil every 3-4 thousand miles. I am experiencing the "ticking" noise in the engine like others. It may tick for months and then run quietly for months. I've had to clean the EGR system. I have done 4 brake jobs and 3 tune ups. I've replaced the throttle cable. I've replaced the battery, alternator and starter. I've changed the valve cover gaskets. I've changed the shocks twice.

I'm sure too many of you who post here think this is a huge list but you've got to consider that this car is 11 years old and has well over 200,000 miles on it.

Nothing any of the complainers on this forum can say will ever get me to agree that this is a poorly made vehicle. If that were the case I would not be driving it today.

I contend that the problems listed in this forum are the result of poor ownership. Poor maintenance, poor driving habits, being completely care free and clueless until something serious goes wrong are all examples of bad results stemming from bad behavior, not bad vehicles.

Turn signals work, A/C blows cold after all these years, transmission doesn't slip, all power windows still go up and down, never had key stuck in the ignition, sunroof doesn't leak, transmission shifts fine, stereo plays, cruise control works, all guages work.

I love my Honda Passport/Isuzu Rodeo!!!

The Isuzu Rodeo has some common problems that many of you have attested to. If you can bear these and/or are reasonably capable at auto repair, then it is well worth the $$ for this vehicle. The problems are generally easy to fix. These are the ones that have occurred to my 2002 Rodeo after 120,000 miles:

ABS sensor on rear differential. Causes ABS light to illuminate on dash, defeats ABS. Simple to fix, costs $50 - $100 for part.

Transmission mode switch. Causes hard shifting, indicator not in sync with gear selector on floor. Can be regreased (dielectric grease) and repaired. Medium difficulty.

Cable that runs from shifter to steering column out of adjustment. Causes key stuck in ignition. Adjustment is fairly easy.

EGR valve needing to be cleaned out. Causes excessive oil consumption. Simple repair.

Transmission leak from accumulator piston due to o-ring leak. Easy fix for a transmission specialist, not costly.

Wheel bearing. Causes loud road noise when cornering, wobble type of noise. Difficult fix, costly.

Other than that, there are the normal wear and tear items. Another major issue is rust. You get what you pay for with the Rodeo. It is not going to be as reliable as a Nissan or Toyota.

Most of these repairs are covered here:

http://isuzufaq.ibctech.ca/

Also, searching the Rodeo forums should yield more info:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/