Faults:

I purchased my Rodeo new off of the lot with only 37 miles on it. I had owned the car less than two years when my clutch went out. Every car I have owned in the eighteen years that I have been driving, has been a stick shift. I have never, never had to replace a clutch. This of course was not one of the items that is/was covered by my warranty.

About twenty-one months later, I began to have trouble shifting into first gear off and on for about a week. After that week I was driving in second gear and was unable to shift into any other gear when the clutch was engaged. Once it was parked and turned off, I was able to shift. I had it towed to the shop thinking that something was wrong with my transmission, and was shocked when I was informed that it was the clutch that once again needed to be replaced.

The carpet under two of the three pedals has deep holes worn into it. These holes are also fraying and unraveling.

Less than four months after replacing the clutch for a second time, my Rodeo began to make a strange noise as it transitioned through the first three gears, especially when it was cold. My 'check engine' light came on & remained on for less than half of a day. I had it in the shop one day later. Now it is the timing belt and system, along with other belts and seals that have to be replaced. And my car just flipped 50,000 miles. 50,031 to be exact. The warranty expired 31 miles ago.

General Comments:

I am extremly disappointed in my Rodeo. All of my cars have been stick shifts and this is the first (and second) time I have had to replace a clutch.

To have the timing go four months later has sealed it for me, it can't be just a fluke thing involving the clutches on these autos. From my experience I would say that the Isuzu Rodeo is very poorly made, and that the warranty seems to be just a pointless extra piece of paper I had to sign.

Faults:

My brake switch needed replacing at 35,000 miles. It was covered under the warranty as it applied to the second owner.

General Comments:

Car is used for commuting to work and also for towing boat. Excellent horsepower/torque from 3.2 liter V6. I do have the 2wd version and get about 18-19 MPG in suburb driving and about 21 MPG in highway conditions. This car is agile, responsive, and fun to drive, and tows my boat comfortably with a full chassis. Also have 3 elementary school aged kids that fit into the back seat comfortably, but will need a larger car when they get older. May keep this one as a third car just to tow my boat and get a sedan for commuting and family hauls. Seats are two-way adjustable, six-way would be nice. They do not have lumbar support or the ability to be raised/lowered. Moonroofs are fun to take out, but require another person to put back in properly, else you run the chance of "pinching" some of the support fittings.

Faults:

Rear Windshield Wiper stopped working at $50K.

Transmission began having problems at $58K due to low transmission fluid cause by a defective seal. The problem is you CAN'T check the fluid by design! Charged ME $252.00 for a transmission flush. They replaced the seal under warranty.

Transmission failed again at $63K due to a "transmission mode switch" cost of $452.00. My wife will not drive it anymore and I can't blame her.

General Comments:

Rides and looks good, but is unreliable.