1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS from North America - Comments

We have a 2000 Rodeo which we bought new. After about 3 years we noticed the fuel gauge starting to read a bit off. The problem got worse and lo and behold my wifes' sister who has a 1998 Rodeo has the same problem. I called Isuzu and they swore on all things Holy that there has not been a problem with any other car than mine. I found it odd, but life goes on. At this point now when the gauge reads dead empty I will take about 11 gallons. Hardly empty.The low fuel indicator comes on when we go around a corner when it THINKS the fuel is low, but stabilizes in a couple of minutes. I called a dealer and was told that they have never heard of that problem. I really think that they are lying. So I will follow suit. My next car will surely be another Isuzu. Yes, I'm LYING!!!

Hello fellow Rodeo owners.

Please indulge me while while I preface my posting with a little background (I hope it helps). <grins>

I USED TO BE considered a car-buff. With a little supervision, I overhauled my 1st engine at the age of 15 (my wonderful 1955 Ford). Since then I have performed a few frame-offs (COMPLETE restorations). I've converted stock 1930 cars into go-fast hot rods. But over time, my auto enthusiasm as diminished to the point where I don't even enjoy changing my oil.

Do I KNOW what I'm doing - NOT! I'm a typical guy (don't read instructions-show me the pictures).

Since the demise of points in a distributor & carburetors I'm truly at a loss. (God I hate being dependent upon some other halfway knowledgeable nitwit to repair my cars and charge me a small fortune to experiment on part replacements.)

Today I still remain to of my old obsessions; cleanliness & oil changes. I keep my engines clean from oil leaks, etc., and use synthetic oil only.

Tip: I would never use synthetic oil in a vehicle that has been run with manufactures' recommended oil with more than 60,000 miles. You have a good chance of removing too much carbon from your cylinder walls and causing blow-by and dropping your compression by 30% or more.

BUT, if you have less than 60,000 miles on your engine, I SWEAR by synthetic oil. I have always been able to get 300,000 miles or more out of an engine by using Mobil One and changing it religiously not to exceed 6,000 miles <12,000 recommended-depends who's writing the report>.

I owned a 1991 Rodeo and only had one problem with the cold engine sensor before giving the vehicle to my daughter with 97,000 miles. I now own a 2001 Rodeo and cannot for the life of me understand why we had a gazillion sensors, 32 over head valves, EPA everything, etc. for EPA & fuel efficiency. Even the cars that claim to get 38mpg actually only get 18mpg with the air-conditioning on. Hells-bells a Corvette with 500hp get 28mpg. I really think we are being duped by politicians - but that's another long story.

Are you still with me? <smiles>

Anyway, my 2001 Rodeo (84,000 miles) is now giving me the same errors some of you are reporting.

My gas cap becomes loose twice with each tank of gas, causing the check engine light to come on. After tightening the cap, the light goes out after 2 days of driving.

Once the fuel gauge drops below 1/2, on the slightest incline, the gauge drops to near empty and causes the low fuel light to come on. Once on level ground, everything back to normal. Geez - can these two items possibly be related? Another problem that has recently developed is engine shake. When starting the engine in the early cool morning, it starts hard and acts like a dog shaking to get the water off its' back after been given a bath. It bounces around for a moment, them smooths right out. Oxygen sensors getting dirty?

Rodeo engines are Chevy engines (small S10 pickup engines). Don't be duped by "Rodeo" dealers & mechanics. These are CHEVY engines.

So, do we have any mechs out there with some cures? I saw one good posting back a few posts ago, but it was difficult to follow what hoses to disconnect and do fix. Tanx

Wow... what a depressing Sunday morning read. I have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo V6 LS which I bought new in 1999. It was a good car for about 36,000 miles (coincidentally the length of part of the warranty). Then it was most everything I have read in this thread: Gas Gage (btw, mine goes about 325 miles on a tank), transmission, check engine light (replaced the EGR on recommendation of a shop who scanned the engine). Thankfully, I have had no problems with the wipers or ABS. I once did have the idol revving problem, but a recall visit did correct that. That issue was recalled because if you had your foot on the brake at a stop light and the revving got really crazy people were wrecking their Rodeos... I will NEVER buy another Isuzu over this... I own a few commercial bobtail trucks for my business and even though I think the Isuzu commercial diesel trucks are probably OK, I will not buy one; period. I, unfortunately am not mechanically gifted enough to follow the instructions of a prior post I read here and I am SICK of spending money on this thing... Goodbye Isuzu.

Man, do I feel better now! Our 2001 Passport in now being traded in with only 50,000 miles. My last car I had for 20 yrs and is still running. (Honda Prelude Si)

Cannot understand why Honda EVER put their name on this vehicle!!! We also have had every problem mentioned in prior postings! Hard starts, rough idling, revving at a stop, engine light, manifold gaskets going bad at 30,000 miles, last, but not least, the rear wiper. Honda service does not want anything to do with this vehicle either. We heard " well you know this isn't a Honda" oh really!?!?!?! Oh, we put carbon cleaner-fuel injector cleaner in every couple of months, seems to help for awhile. good luck to all, it's a constant worry!

Final word, unload it!!

I owned a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS 5 speed V6 I bought it 75k miles on it ABS Light is on other than that it run great every time I do fuel injection done it run like a new car

i usualy do fuel injection done every 6 month other than that the car runs good I hope I don't jinx my car.

Teddy.

Geez, I wish I had read these comments back in 99 when I bought my Rodeo new. Sounds like a broken record, but I too have had to replace ABS (never heard there was a recall...) rear brakes at 18000 miles (was told by dealer that I probably make more trips to the mall then I remember. Oh yeah, that went over big), 3 more times with brakes, front wipers, gas gauge/pump (I still put the odometer back to 0 after every fill-up out of habit), gas cap, oh and the oil I buy by the case. Lets see, something about the casing around the wheel bearings had water in them (was asked if I had driven through deep puddles... were they kidding?) so yeah, had 3 of the 4 wheels done, and got talked into updating the 4-wheel drive (in the owners manual as maintenance). Lately, after driving on the highway for a while, then slow down at a toll booth, it clunks like the wheels are going to fall off. What the heck is that? I also hear a whine as I accelerate near the fan belt and alternator. About the ignoring the check engine light, in our state, you can't pass inspection with one on. As much as I hate spending a dime more on this car, with 2 kids in college, I can't afford a car payment either. I just hit 150,000 miles. By the way, the stereo system sucks too.

I just purchased a 2000 Rodeo with 60K miles. It's the 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive version. Not a bad looking thing either. While driving it home from the dealer that stuck it to me, the check engine light and fuel gauge start doing exactly what everybody on this board has testified from personal experience. So, I called the Isuzu 800 number, explained my problem to them and asked about their warranty. The answer was, "we've never ever heard of a fuel gauge problem on these cars before mine."

Are you freakin' kidding me? Sounds like everyone that owns one has this problem. How about a CLASS ACTION Suit folks?

And of course any warranty for other than the original owner is finito at 60K miles or 6 years, whatever comes first.

After reading this board, and several others, I found where to buy a fuel sending unit OEM replacement part. After spending several very ugly hours dropping the tank to replace it, I got in, fired it up and guess what?

I still have the exact same problem that I had before wasting my blood, sweat and tears. Does anyone have any ideas where to go from here? A little help here please; all I can say is, WOW, what a piece of crap.

I too own a 99 rodeo. I too have the same problems. Someone at the dealership told me that even after the gas gauge on the vehicles have been replaced, they again fail. That's with the pricey $400.00 bill. The scarey problem is the car refusing to brake when hitting a UNEVEN or SMALL bump in the road. Now that's a safety issue. Why hasn't this been a recall. Even running out of gas on a highway, on your way home from work, at 2:00 a.m. is a safety hazard. What can be done to have these repairs taken care of w/o having to dish out a small fortune?

Here's my latest problem that left me stranded today: I drove to my work o.k. Two hours later I went to start the car and it spuddered, as if it were running out of gas. Then it stalled. I put in 2 gallons of gas, even though I was sure I had enough gas. It tried to turn over with several attempts of turning the key. called my husband. He said it wasn't getting fuel. He replaced the fuel filter. Still no luck. He's thinking it's the fuel PUMP. Will have it towed home tomorrow and try that. NOW KNOWING MY HUSBAND'S PATIENCE LEVEL with this car's problems, I hate to think what tomorrow hold's in store. {"It' the fuel relay. -her hubbie-."} Anyone have the same problem that may be able to add some helpful info. on what your problem/solution was? Is it the fuel pump or something a little less PAINFUL?

Oh by the way; the driver's side windshield wiper stopped working today too. It happened when I tried to start the car. It can be moved by hand very freely. Oh yes did I mention the it was POURING CATS AND DOGS. Isuzu, I'm not happy with the inconveniences this car as caused me. I like the rodeo, but, not the mechanical problems that SHOULD NOT be happening. Any insight to this latter problem would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS.

Well I gotta say, I really like my Rodeo though I have had many of the problems you all have described included including the fuel gauge issue (twice!) I currently have 183,000 miles on it and she runs smoothly and quietly. No one has mentioned this but I have had the transmission service by having my Independent Honda Mechanic pump out the old fluid and put in new. This seemed to eliminate the sluggish issues. I am having problems with the rear seat belt units and they are costly to replace. Does anyone have a process to replace these? Other than that, the additives mentioned above are excellent for keeping the truck running well. Good Luck All!

2002 Rodeo - $3000 for a new transmission. Now the check engine light comes on.

Will remember the unit instead of replacing the whole fuel tank.

Overall, it is a nice vehicle.

I, like you guys, have a 99 Isuzu Rodeo. I can deal with the check engine light going off and on. I can even deal with the gas gage going up and down and flashing. I can even deal with the horrible metal rattle when I shift from 2nd to 3rd. But what I can't deal with anymore is having to replace my spark plugs every 300 or so miles. After it sits, it acts like it doesn't want to crank, and when it does it shakes bad and sputters like crazy. I let it idle for a little bit and it's fine. Also, I can smell lots of gas in spark plugs. Anyone think they can help. PLEASE! Getting too much gas??