Faults:

The first thing that went out was the fuel sensor. It cost me about $180.00 to replace.

My ABS system has never been working the way my previous vehicles have. I have replaced the rear brake shoes three times while the front stay at about 50% wear which service people find hard to believe. I have been getting a grinding sound since about 60,000 miles with no solution in sight even when having the rear brakes replaces.

General Comments:

I guess I should consider myself fortunate not to have had many problems with my Rodeo. The only issue now is the gas mileage. I'm only getting about 17 around town and only 20 MAX on the highway at 65-70 mph.

One issue that has been bothering me is the alarm system. Sometimes when I unlock the door with the key the alarm beeps. Other times, there is no alarm beep. My dealers have no explanation for this.

Faults:

Intake manifold gasket leak at 140,000 miles.

Alternator went bad at about 110,000 miles.

Brake rotor went out of round about 70,000 miles (warped Yokohama tires replaced; no problems since.)

Just changed factory plugs at 140,000 miles (I don't recommend this ;)

AC control knob is loose. (about 100,000 miles)

General Comments:

Very roomy and great for hauling. I've moved refrigerators, & furniture in the cabin.

Hauls pretty good for a smaller SUV. I pulled an 18 ft fiberglass power boat for 5 years.

The 6 cylinder 304 HP has good pick up for an SUV.

Ride is a little bumpy and wears on you on LONG trips. Stereo speakers on my 1991 Rodeo were better.

I’ve been driving my ’98 Rodeo 4x4 LS since I bought it used in 2000. I traded my 1991 Rodeo 4x2 for it. I’ve been very happy with the ’98. My only complaints have been the less than stellar gas mileage (about 16 city, 22 hwy) and the ride is pretty rough. You feel every bump in the road. I probably should have upgrade the shocks long ago, but I didn’t.

I’ve started to have many of the problem others on this board have mentioned such as the gas gauge inaccuracy and the intake manifold gasket leak. However, I didn’t begin to have these problems until well over 100,000 miles. The intake gasket didn’t give out until about a month ago at 140,000 miles! I don’t know about you, but that’s not to shabby in my book. The only other repairs I’ve made to this vehicle have been new alternator (about 110,000 miles), and the brake rotors kept going out of round (that turned out to be warped Yokohama tires; not the Rodeo. The Cooper Tires are working fine since about 90,000 miles.)

I’ve owned two Rodeos now and can proudly say I’d buy another if they still made them. For the price, and that’s a very important element of the Rodeo charm, you’d be hard pressed to find a better vehicle. If you want a vehicle you can weld the hood shut, buy a Cadillac or a Benz SUV. If you want one real people can afford, buy an Isuzu.

Faults:

1) engine

2) egr valve

3) alternator

4) Paint.

General Comments:

Best looking suv this year and fastest engine, but worst. Had engine replaced once and after realizing the oil consumption I had to have the engine replaced at 70,000 miles I now do special maintenance which cannot be revealed because I'm trying to get patents! but lets just say I have 205,000 miles on the engine--how many isuzus do you know with that much mileage-probably none. I finaly took my car to the dealer with 273,000 miles on the car and they couldnt believe it! I only took it to the dealer to get the 5 recalls I had coming to me and I made sure they gave me all the parts--you can't trust anything they say, so I make sure they replace what they say there replacing. I only had one problem I haven't fix because the engine code which I can't remember was a dealer specific code and could have been a number of things. But I think it's an IMG because my 2 of my O2 sensors are going bad again and my catalytic converter is rumbling. One problem I'm having trouble with is the fan, it only works on hi and so I replaced the resister pack for 40 bucks and it works. I was going to replace the motor, but the cheap after market ones don't fit tight where it blows out heat so I put the old one back in and know it makes an annoying noise. I think the fan blade is hitting something. It can only be lined up one way when screwed in so I don't know if I pushed the blade down to far on the motor or not enough--input would be appreciated---oh yeah don't buy any car that burns oil!!!