2001 Isuzu Rodeo from North America - Comments

Wow... I'm going to buy a 2002 rodio ls tomorrow. And now I'm all stressed out about it, hard to look at it as a lemon cause they made the rodeo for like 6 years, time to fix the reccurent problems from the past. Not a lot mentioned on the 2002 model (maybe me in the future) so I'll try my luck with it.

Give you my feedback in a couple month.

I own a 2000 isuzu rodeo and it had the same fuel gauge problem. It's the fuel pump and it IS covered under warranty. It is now in the shop for it's second transmission repair. It has 90,000 miles on it and I agree with the post above. Isuzu should have NEVER designed the engine the way it did. When I take my car in for an oil change and they are "supposed" to check your fluids... I guarantee you they don't...because they can't!!! So, you just spend years not knowing your tranny fluid is low, then your stranded. That's probably why they stopped making the rodeos.

I bought a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo yesterday. Early this morning I read most of the comments posted on this particular website. After reading about all the issues people were encountering I went back up to the dealership and traded my vehicle for a 1998 Honda CR-V. Thanks for the advice. I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders.

I owned a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo for 11 years and 160,000 miles. The thing gave me intermittent problems and was very expensive to repair when something broke, but nothing as serious as to what your review is suggesting. Perhaps, I am fortunate that I got the 5 speed manual. Many minor parts failed, but nothing ever major. The engine did have a hydraulic lifter problem that was avoided by changing oil every 3,000 miles or when the noise occurred. However, its proclivity to minor repairs every 3 months or so, led us to replace it when the time was right. Isuzu is bottom rated on the latest JD Power survey and I will not recommend an Isuzu product to anyone. I just hope the nice lady who bought my car for 2500.00 has a good mechanic.

I purchased a 2001 Rodeo LS, it has been nothing, but a problem from the beginning. I bought the vehicle with 75,000 miles and purchased an extended warranty (thank god!). At 80,000 miles the engine was replaced... at 100,000 I had to replace the A/C compressor. Now, at 110,000 I'm having the transmission replaced. It has been a complete nightmare and I wish I would have NEVER even considered this car. Of the 2 1/2 years I have owned this vehicle, it has been in the shop for 8 weeks and almost $9,000 worth of repairs..and that doesn't include the transmission work that is being completed as we speak.

I own a 2001 Rodeo LS 4 x 4. Everybody is whining about there transmissions. I bet 80% of you guys have never taken the SUV into the dealer to do the transmission flush. I do it every 40K. Never had a problem. You cannot expect a tranny with over 100K with no service to keep kicking forever. It's expensive around $120, but better than over $2000 because you guys are too lazy. I have a 120K miles powertrain warranty, so I still have 20K miles left to go, but getting maintenance done is important.

I have a 2001 Rodeo LS with 124,000 miles and no major problems as mentioned in some of the posts. Being doing routine maintenance and that's it. Drives just as good today as when we got it.

I wouldn't trade my truck for anything.

I bought a 2001 Isuzu Rodeo LS about six months ago and I love it. I have had only one problem with it which was the check engine light switching on and off periodically. I took it back to the dealership and they simply replaced the gas tank. It did not cost me a thing. I like my car and wouldn't trade it for anything less than a Yukon. Ha Ha just kidding.

Mariah

Bend, Oregon.

I have a 2001 Rodeo with an automatic transmission and have had 2 Servo seals replaced thus far (fortunately the vehicle was still under warranty). It also needs a new fuel sending unit (causing the check engine light to remain steadily on and and the gas gauge to not work at all). I have been treated fairly by the dealer. It seems to me these two areas are design flaws if so many have had the same identical problem. Sorry to say, I would not buy another Isuzu product.

I too have a 2001 Rodeo and agree with a majority of the previously stated comments including their dealers. I also would not purchase another rodeo. If I get another SUV it will be a 4runner.

$120 to do a transmission flush every 40k miles... You must be joking. I have heard several mechanics say that transmission doesn't require service. The manual says the service interval is 120K miles... Hmmm that's the same time as the warranty expires... gee what a coincidence.

I have a 2001 Rodeo. I have had to rebuild the motor at 97,000 because the pin snapped on the drive shaft. It took over 3 months to get the car back because they couldn't figure it out. First they thought it was a bad computer, then a bad sensor, then jumped timing. And no, warranty didn't cover any of it. Then my tranny, yep slipping and over heating. Both Catalytic converters, radiator over heats if I stop too long and check engine lights been on for six months. Think I need a new gas tank. All of this and I live in Myrtle Beach, SC and drive back and forth to Columbia. Some of the easiest driving you can put on the truck. I have owned BMW's for years. The Isuzu is more expensive to keep on the road.

Reading most of the comments I have come to conclude there is a manufacturing defect somewhere on the Isuzu Rodeo 2001 model. The check engine light is a constant and scary irritation. Checked it today and was told it had to had to do with some emission control malfunction which requires the power module (whatever that is!) to be replaced. Anyone out there with similar advice?