1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS from North America - Comments

My Isuzu Rodeo has all of the same problems plus more that has been listed here, everything from the gas gauge that refuses to work to the Intermittent wipers no working the brakes to the transmission that I just replaced.

My advice is to stay away from Rodeos! And I would love to take part in a class action suit.

I own a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS with 130,000 miles on it. It seems to me that I have a coolant leak, but no mechanic can find the leak. I have to replace the coolant almost every four weeks. What could be the problem?

I bought a new 99 rodeo. At 30k we had the ABS serviced. That is the only non-scheduled maintenance we have ever had. The thing gets 19 mpg and goes 3k without burning a full qt of oil. She is about to go over 100k. This is the best vehicle we have ever had. This is also the last of the real Isuzus. If you are having problems, check your model and parts. A lot of the problems stem from the infusion of GM parts. As to the comment of not buying another Isuzu and buying domestic, everything sold in America with an Isuzu label is made by GM starting in 03 I think.

I bet you a hundred dollars it is your water pump.

I purchased a 1999 LS brand new. I am having the same VERY annoying problem with the fuel reading and my driver side panel for the power windows does not work properly (problem started in 2003). Has anyone heard of a recall for the fuel reading??

The only major problem I've experienced was having to replace the transmission last year after 120K miles. I've not had as much problems as everyone else, but there definitely seems to be many problems stemming from how this model was manufactured. I am disappointed with Isuzu for not taking care of these obvious issues properly.

I own a 1999 rodeo. My fuel gauge went on me last year. My cousin has the same year model and we are often comparing what is going to go next. My ABS light is now on and I have had the dealership replace the recalled part and I have had new brakes placed all around.. The light is still on. My check engine light is now on and I have my oil changed faithfully every 3 months. The same lights are now coming on with my cousins Rodeo. I also hear a noise when pulling a hill or just accelerating period.. it sounds as if the valves are rattling loudly... every who hears it ask me if I have any oil in the car and I have to explain that I get the oil changes faithfully.. Isuzu should be ashamed of themselves for putting these cars on the market.. as far as the fuel gauge goes.. when you call Isuzu they will tell you that it is the gas in your state that is causing the problem and that it is not under warranty and never will be.

I own a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LSE my check engine light came on and the diagnostics indicated a possible EGR Switch problem, I am not in a position to get taken by the dealer Service Center, I have a volunteer to clean it to see if this helps, could someone point to where this switch is located, any assistance would be greatly appreciated wcr@tslinc.com.

I just got this 1999 Isuzu Rodeo at 110K. It runs like a dream, but burns oil like HELL.Doesn't leak though. The ABS light comes on once in a while. But the main problem is BURNING OIL... I add a quart of OIL at every 800 miles. ISUZU should never have made this car!!!

I bought my first ever brand new vehicle in 2000. By my bad luck, I happened to fall in love with the Rodeo LS. I was actually fortunate enough to lease it for the first 3 years. At the end of the lease, the mileage on the truck was so low that the buy out appeared to be extremely reasonable. Now, I swear on my children’s lives, that the second the pen hit the paper things began to go array. Aside from the oil consumption problem, the list includes: rear wiper rusted over so bad, that the wiper barely moved ($148), replace the front and rear rotors after 24000K ($989), 6 disc factory CD player won’t play CD’s (I refuse to fix that, but I probably will. Thank You IPOD), locking mechanism for the rear door and window became dislodged to the point where it was a 50/50 chance the rear hatch would even open ($137). I’m a 3L of oil every 1200K kind of guy. My mechanic recently suggested trying synthetic oil to at least try to alleviate the problem citing that the cheaper oil breaks down at a lower temperature. I’m game for anything. Aside from the above-mentioned issues, and the fact that Isuzu/Saturn/GM Canada completely bailed on any responsibility with regard to this oil mess, I like my truck. Too bad they don’t back up their products. Never again, will I purchase GM vehicles. Shame on you GM!! It’s a wonder you’re pulling up the rear and in such financial trouble.

Hello I own a 99 Rodeo and have not had any problems with it. The only thing is that the Engine light seems to go on and off. I recently was involved in an accident (small). I am trying to fix it as best I can. I need for someone to let me know if you know by any chance if you know where the fuel kill switch is located. Please email me to vfernand@houstonisd.org

Thanks and good luck with the Isuzu's.

My wife and I bought our 99 rodeo brand new at it was a great vehicle for the firs 3 years. It seems like right after we finished paying it off things began to go wrong with it. It started with the transmission, there was no way for me to check the fluid level. I called the dealer they informed me that there was no dip stick for checking the fluid level. You have to pay someone drain it and refill it. The next thing that went out shortly after that was the air condition compressor. I checked all the fuses and wiring to make sure it wasn't something simple, ultimately I had to take to the dealer. They replaced the compressor for $450.00. Then the gas gauge stopped working followed by the rear wiper, ABS light, and the check engine light. I could not find a repair manuel for the four years. Now I come to the conclusion that I am just going to drive it till it dies. Don't get me wrong I still change the oil every 3k miles, and change the dirty air filter every 6k miles, but I give up on trying to fix the electrical side of this vehicle. Surprisingly my rodeo still runs pretty good aside from the light Christmas tree on the instrument panel... Alex in San Antonio Tx.

The issue with the fuel gauge is the Fuel Sending unit a small piece that is located in the pump in the fuel tank. Many Rodeos around this year have this problem. I do on my 1999. Many dealers have quoted a astronomical price to fix this to me. I did find the part for about 40 dollars and put about 2 hours of work in and got it going. Besides this small flaw I love my Rodeo has ran well for me.

The gas gauge issues require a new fuel sending unit. They work on 1998-2002 models, even though the dealers will tell you differemt. I sell these on eBay for $33.49-they are over $75 at the dealer. Go to eBay and look at seller awnicol25 or email me at anicol@cfl.rr.com. I stand behind my products and this fix will work. It is an easy install or pay the machanic $150 to do it. Thanks!

Andy.

All I can say is Ditto on all of the above. My 99 Rodeo has every warning light on that will come on, burns oil like mad, fuel gauge has not worked for years, ABS went out as well years ago, not to mention the transmission I had to replace. When I contacted Isuzu about these problems I got a letter that made the excuse that they could not control every factor in the manufacturing process and that sometimes mistakes happen. I think the mistakes are the Rodeos that actually work the way they are supposed to and the ones like mine are the norm. Did someone say Class Action? Count me in!

And my advice is to buy Toyota or Ford or Dodge or Nissian or Kia...Anything, but a Isuzu.

Seems to me it's the 99 Rodeo that has the most problems. My 98 with 140k just needs oil every 2k miles, but that's it.