4th Feb 2015, 15:16
Noises - agree, mine too.
Problem with starting with the key - agree, mine too.
In addition, I've had my wiring worked on twice - $800 each time to find wires with the covers splitting. This causes the check engine light to come on - to be followed with the "low power" light, which causes the power to cut down to 5 miles an hour.
19th Nov 2020, 20:34
Our 2003 3.2L V6 Rodeo has had no major mechanical issues, but does have some annoying minor ones. Poor ride quality has been addressed by replacing shocks and also stock bumpstops with (larger) rubber helper springs. These engage sooner and minimize rear coil spring travel and crazy sway; also improve cornering some. Spent almost $600 chasing an EVAP P0440 generic code that was causing a check engine fault. Smoke test found no leak, so checked gas cap, replaced purge and "air" valves. Still waiting to see if cleared trouble code reappears... not yet at the 40K mark!
10th Nov 2012, 10:04
First of all, the key thing is exactly correct. It's scary the first few times it happens, but it does start. If you take it to an Isuzu tech, they pretend that they don't know what you are talking about.
The shift lever eventually becomes worn and dirty, and needs to be rebuilt. A new lever mechanism is around $600, but a knowledgeable Isuzu guy can clean and rebuild it in about an hour.
The transmission light (for me) only happens when I don't get it into D, or I bump it out of D, so I am driving around in 3. Once it starts flashing, you have to stop the car and restart it to completely stop that light from flashing at you.
Interior trim got a little flimsier near the end of the product line. I have a 2003, and I'd love to have new door panels and a new pad for the console storage.
Great car, very sturdy, it took a mud flap for me that I know would have creamed my wife's sedan. All I got was a broken headlight assembly and a dented hood.