2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT Recalls, Complaints & Safety

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE REAR LATERAL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 104V36000 (SUSPENSION) HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

I GOT A LETTER FROM ISUZU ASKING ME TO COME IN FOR A RECALL DUE TO PRE-MATURE FRAME RUSTING I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO LIFT THE BODY OFF THE FRAME TO INSPECT IT AND I WAS HAVING THE GAS-LEVEL SENDER REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT BOLTS HOLDING THE CASSIS TO THE FRAME HAD A TENDENCY TO FAIL SO THEY WERE BEING REPLACED WITH STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE. WHEN I GOT THE TRUCK BACK THE NEW SHINY BOLTS AND NUTS WERE VISIBLE EXTERNALLY AND I WAS ASSURED THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT THAT BAD AND IT WAS JUST A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE. I WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE AND THAT THEY APPLIED SOME ANTI-RUST TREATMENT TO THE AREAS AND FOR ADDED STRENGTH, 2 REINFORCEMENT BARS WERE BOLTED TO THE SIDES OF THE FRAME ( THIS WAS DOME AND VERIFIED VISUALLY BY ME ). ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE HAVING MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROT, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY FRAME WAS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTEN IN NUMEROUS AREAS AND TOLD THAT WHOEVER TRIED TO FIX IT KNEW THAT IT WAS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE AND SIMPLY PUT A BAND=AID ON IT AND HIT IT WITH SOME ANTI-RUST PAINT TO MAKE IT LOOK BETTER. JUST THE FRAME WAS ROTTING, NOT THE BODY OR OTHER PARTS. THE OFFICIAL TSB APPARENTLY TO SHORE UP THE FRAME BY BOLTING TWO STEEL BARS ALONG THE SIDES, UNLESS THE FRAME IS SO ROTTED OUT THAT IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. SO IF I HAD NOT GARAGED MY TRUCK AND BEEN EXTRA CAREFUL ABOUT WASHING THE UNDERCARRIAGE, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN A BRAND-NEW FRAME, (OR A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IF THE FRAME BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT ALMOST ANY SPEED NEVER MIND HIGHWAY SPEED). I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS TRUCK AND HAVE FOLLOWED ALL TSB/RECALLS AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. I LOVE THE TRUCK, BUT I NEED IT TO BE SAFE AND VERY SOON IT MAY NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION IN MY STATE. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY PEOPLE TRYING PUSH FOR SOME SORT OF LEGAL ACTION ON THIS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN VEHICLE, APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS, DRIVER-SIDE REAR SUSPENSION TRAILING ARM BRACKET BROKE FREE FROM FRAME. VEHICLE VEERED RIGHT SLIGHTLY AND GENERATED A GROANING SOUND. PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION UNDERNEATH VEHICLE REALIZED FRAME SECTION CORRODED COMPLETELY THROUGH ALLOWING TRAILING ARM BUSHING MOUNTING BRACKET TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM FRAME. LOW MILEAGE (CONSIDERING YEAR) WELL CARED FOR VEHICLE IN OTHERWISE GOOD CONDITION. HAVE SENSE LEARNED THIS TO BE AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM KNOWN BY OEM BUT NOT BY SECONDARY BUYERS, THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE ON ROAD. LESS THAN A YEARS USE FROM THIS VEHICLE AFTER LOAN/PURCHASE. *TR

THE FRAME IS SO BADLY ROTTED OUT THAT IT WON'T PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION . *TR

ERODING FRAME UNDERNEATH CAR. MY CAR SHAKES AND SQUEAKS HORRIBLY! MY CAR IS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT I HAVE HOLES AND I CAN SEE THROUGH THE CAR UNDERNEATH! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED RUST WAS FOUND AROUND THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE CURRENT APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RUST ON THE FRAME WAS TOO EXCESSIVE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,123.

I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF AN EXHAUST LEAK, WHILE INSPECTING, HE FOUND A BREAK/SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT FRAME WHERE THE FORWARD MOUNTING REAR SUSPENSION BRACKET ATTACHES. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME IS ALSO ROTTED BUT NOT YET BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO AN ISUZU DEALER IN MASSACHUSETTS, & THEY TOOK PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM, THEN REPORTED IT TO ISUZU. I CALLED ISUZU'S (800) HELP LINE TO ASK WHAT THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR MY TRUCK, THEY SAID NOTHING, THEY WERE NOT RECALLING THAT PARTICULAR TRUCK MODEL BUT TOOK MY INFORMATION. *TR

2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. CONSUMER STATES CORROSION FRAME CRACKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE 4-DOOR MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2-DOOR MODELS. *JB UPDATED 07/03/12 THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALLOWED TO LIMIT ITS FIX OF VEHICLE'S REGARDING THE RECALL. UPDATED CONSUMER LETTER 06/29/12*JB UPDATED 05/25/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED AND THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE ISUZU SPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE TOLL ROAD @ APPROX. 55 MPH, THE REAR SUSPENSION SNAPPED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED AT APPROX 20 MPH AND EXIT THE TOLL ROAD. UPON PARKING, I WAS ABLE TO EXAMINE THE REAR AND SAW THAT THE COMPLETE REAR SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SNAPPED OFF. AFTER HAVING TWO MECHANICS LOOK OVER THE VEHICLE, WE ARE BEING TOLD IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. WE ALSO JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED APPROX 3 MONTHS AGO AND ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE NEXT STEP SHOULD BE. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS WAS A RECALL AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS AND NOW THE RECALL TIME PERIOD HAS LAPSED. *TR

CRACKED FUEL DELIVERY HOSE, SERIOUS LEAKAGE OF GAS OVER DANGEROUSLY HOT EXHAUST PIPES. *TR

REAR SUSPENSION MOUNT FELL OFF DUE TO RUSTED FRAME. ISUZU OWNER SUPPORT: USING MISDIRECTION AND STRONG ARM TACTICS TO DELAY AND AVOID RESOLUTION OF NHTSA SAFETY RECALL. UNETHICAL PRACTICE. FILING SMALL CLAIMS SUIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BRACKET HANGING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 11/03/11*LJ UDDATED 03/08/12

THE RECALL ON THE ISUZU RODEOS DOES NOT COVER FRAME ROT, JUST THE "REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA" WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS, MY CAR HAS FRAME ROT FROM THE FRONT TIRES ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK, YOU CAN POKE YOUR FINGER THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE, AND IT CRUMBLES LIKE BREAD. WHAT'S THE POINT OF FIXING THE BRACKET IF THE ENTIRE FRAME IS FALLING OFF IN PIECES? DOES THAT MAKE IT ANY SAFER? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AN UNKNOWN NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. WHILE PULLING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF OF THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,414.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

MY 2001 RODEO SPORT FAILED THE ILLINOIS AIR TEAM TEST. IT FAILED ON CODES: P0446 AND P0463. THESE CODES ARE BOTH ISUZU RODEO SPORT RECALLS. THE FUEL TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, PUMPS CAN START CAR ON FIRE. THE ISUZU DEALERS SAY THERE IS NOT A RECALL! I HAVE THE RECALL # 66026. IT CLEARLY STATES THE DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND MUST PROVIDE A REMEDY AT NO COST TO OWNER.... PLEASE HELP ME....NO ONE WANT TO REPAIR THIS FOR ME AND IT A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

ISUZU RODEO FRAME IS COMPLETELY ROTTED . THE ISUZU CORP WANT TO FIX WITH REAR BRACKETS THIS WILL NOT FIX THE SUV NEEDS A WHOLE NEW FRAME ONE THAT IS MADE OUT OF GOOD STEEL AND INCLOSED AND COATED . NOT ISPECTABLE IN MY STATE . WE WANT A REFUND THAT IS COMPARABLE TO THE REAL KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE. *LN

Crash

I OWN A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT WITH ABOUT 144,000 MILES ON IT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2001. THE REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES IN SOME AREAS AND THE LOWER LINK SUPPORTS ARE ALSO RUSTING OFF. I CALLED ISUZU MOTORS AMERICA OWNERS RELATION DEPARTMENT (800) 255-6727 AND SPOKE TO KAREN WHO INDICATED THAT SHE IS THEIR 'NATIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER' IN ANAHEIM CA. (KAREN WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER LAST NAME, STATING THAT SHE IS THE ONLY KAREN EMPLOYED BY ISUZU(?), NOR WOULD SHE ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE WHEN I ASKED). KAREN INFORMED ME THAT ISUZU ALONG WITH THE NHTSA HAVE DECIDED THAT THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN # 10V436000 DOES NOT INCLUDE RODEO SPORTS, EVEN THOUGH THE SPORT IS LISTED ON THE ODI REPORT. (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE09030). SHE STATED THAT THE FRAMES ARE DIFFERENT ON THE RODEO SPORT VS. THE REGULAR RODEO (I ALSO OWN A 2003 RODEO LS). WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT THE DIFFERENCE WAS, SHE COULD NOT TELL ME. WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IN MATERIALS USED WAS, SHE COULD NOT TELL ME. SHE PRETTY MUCH WAS NOT CARING OF MY COMPLAINT AND DID NOTHING MORE THAN TAKING MY NAME AND TELLING ME THAT SHE'LL OPEN A FILE AND TELLING ME NOT TO EXPECT ANYTHING ELSE TO HAPPEN. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON RODEO SPORTS AND WONDER WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. WHY ARE THEY ONLY COVERING THE RODEO AND NOT THE RODEO SPORT?? THE WHOLE EXCUSE ABOUT DIFFERENT FRAMES IS A MOOT POINT SINCE THE RODEO SPORT FRAME IS ALSO RUSTING THROUGH. WHY DO WE, AS CONSUMERS HAVE TO LOSE THE USE OF OUR VEHICLES BECAUSE OF POOR QUALITY MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY RODEO SPORT VERY WELL AND EXPECTED TO DRIVE IT AT LEAST 200,000 MILES OR MORE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE INTEREST OF US CONSUMERS BY ISUZU AND THE NHTSA. I HOPE TO HEAR BACK ABOUT A SUITABLE RESOLUTION SOON. *TR

I OWNED A 2001 ISUZU RODEO THAT I JUST HAD TO GET RID OF BECAUSE OF THE FRAME ROTTING IN HALF. I AM NOW IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO HAVE CAR PAYMENT. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE FRAME, I WOULD STILL HAVE THE ISUZU BECAUSE MECHANICALLY IT WAS FINE BUT IMAGINE MY HORROR WHEN THE GARAGE TOLD ME I COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE FRAME ROTTING IN HALF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,910.

FRAME DETERIORATION REPORTED BY MY MECHANIC, STEPS WERE TAKEN TO REINFORCE THE FRAME. AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

2001 RODEO LS WITH SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST....I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH RUST....THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED NOW. *TR

MY BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ON THE NEXT OCCASION, THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE NEXT TIME, IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE BACK OF A MINIVAN, THEN A SEDAN AND SUV CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT MY BRAKES REPLACED AFTER THAT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THEN DRIVING TO WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES STILL WEREN'T RESPONDING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, AND HAD THE MECHANIC DRIVE AROUND AND DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT KEPT HAPPENING. I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE. IT STIFFENS UP, THEN MAKES SOME CLICKING SOUNDS, AND THE CAR JUST GLIDES, I.E. KEEPS ON MOVING. THAT IS NOT SAFE!! I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR OR TAKE ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE APPREHENSION OF MY BRAKES FAILING AS USUAL. FINALLY, I WENT BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE MECHANICS AND EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY THE BRAKES ARE DOING, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE THINKS THAT IT IS THE "BRAKE SENSOR" DUE TO THE RUST AROUND IT. AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THESE MODEL SUVS. SO FOR THE PAST YEAR, I CAME IN THERE WITH SENSOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT (2X), AND BRAKE PROBLEMS (2X) BOTH OF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT GET AN INSPECTION PASS UNTIL THEY WERE FIXED. I THINK THAT IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH THE SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY BRAKES. I JUST SAW AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY LOCAL NEWS STATION ABOUT THE BOTTOMS OF THESE SUVS COMING APART WITH NO WARNING. ONE WOMAN EVEN PULLED SOMETHING OFF WITH HER BARE HANDS. I BOUGHT MY CARE IN 2001 WITH 9000 MILES ON IT. I DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER, THAT THE BOTTOM JOINTS SHOWED A LOT OF RUST. I WAS SHOCKED AND EMBARRASSED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RUST THEN AND CONTINUE TO, AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, THAT'S LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND. BUT I GOT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR USED. ALREADY RUSTED. *TR

Crash 1 injured

MY BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ON THE NEXT OCCASION, THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE NEXT TIME, IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE BACK OF A MINIVAN, THEN A SEDAN AND SUV CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT MY BRAKES REPLACED AFTER THAT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THEN DRIVING TO WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES STILL WEREN'T RESPONDING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, AND HAD THE MECHANIC DRIVE AROUND AND DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT KEPT HAPPENING. I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE. IT STIFFENS UP, THEN MAKES SOME CLICKING SOUNDS, AND THE CAR JUST GLIDES, I.E. KEEPS ON MOVING. THAT IS NOT SAFE!! I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR OR TAKE ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE APPREHENSION OF MY BRAKES FAILING AS USUAL. FINALLY, I WENT BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE MECHANICS AND EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY THE BRAKES ARE DOING, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE THINKS THAT IT IS THE "BRAKE SENSOR" DUE TO THE RUST AROUND IT. AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THESE MODEL SUVS. SO FOR THE PAST YEAR, I CAME IN THERE WITH SENSOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT (2X), AND BRAKE PROBLEMS (2X) BOTH OF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT GET AN INSPECTION PASS UNTIL THEY WERE FIXED. I THINK THAT IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH THE SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY BRAKES. I JUST SAW AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY LOCAL NEWS STATION ABOUT THE BOTTOMS OF THESE SUVS COMING APART WITH NO WARNING. ONE WOMAN EVEN PULLED SOMETHING OFF WITH HER BARE HANDS. I BOUGHT MY CARE IN 2001 WITH 9000 MILES ON IT. I DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER, THAT THE BOTTOM JOINTS SHOWED A LOT OF RUST. I WAS SHOCKED AND EMBARRASSED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RUST THEN AND CONTINUE TO, AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, THAT'S LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND. BUT I GOT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR USED. ALREADY RUSTED. *TR

Crash 1 injured

MY BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ON THE NEXT OCCASION, THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE NEXT TIME, IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE BACK OF A MINIVAN, THEN A SEDAN AND SUV CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT MY BRAKES REPLACED AFTER THAT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THEN DRIVING TO WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES STILL WEREN'T RESPONDING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, AND HAD THE MECHANIC DRIVE AROUND AND DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT KEPT HAPPENING. I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE. IT STIFFENS UP, THEN MAKES SOME CLICKING SOUNDS, AND THE CAR JUST GLIDES, I.E. KEEPS ON MOVING. THAT IS NOT SAFE!! I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR OR TAKE ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE APPREHENSION OF MY BRAKES FAILING AS USUAL. FINALLY, I WENT BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE MECHANICS AND EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY THE BRAKES ARE DOING, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE THINKS THAT IT IS THE "BRAKE SENSOR" DUE TO THE RUST AROUND IT. AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THESE MODEL SUVS. SO FOR THE PAST YEAR, I CAME IN THERE WITH SENSOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT (2X), AND BRAKE PROBLEMS (2X) BOTH OF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT GET AN INSPECTION PASS UNTIL THEY WERE FIXED. I THINK THAT IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH THE SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY BRAKES. I JUST SAW AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY LOCAL NEWS STATION ABOUT THE BOTTOMS OF THESE SUVS COMING APART WITH NO WARNING. ONE WOMAN EVEN PULLED SOMETHING OFF WITH HER BARE HANDS. I BOUGHT MY CARE IN 2001 WITH 9000 MILES ON IT. I DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER, THAT THE BOTTOM JOINTS SHOWED A LOT OF RUST. I WAS SHOCKED AND EMBARRASSED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RUST THEN AND CONTINUE TO, AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, THAT'S LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND. BUT I GOT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR USED. ALREADY RUSTED. *TR

Crash 1 injured

MY BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THE PAST YEAR, I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES AND ON THE NEXT OCCASION, THE REAR BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE OF A NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE NEXT TIME, IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I HIT THE BACK OF A MINIVAN, THEN A SEDAN AND SUV CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. WHEN I GOT MY BRAKES REPLACED AFTER THAT, I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN LESS THAN A BLOCK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THEN DRIVING TO WORK, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES STILL WEREN'T RESPONDING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, AND HAD THE MECHANIC DRIVE AROUND AND DRIVE THE CAR WITH ME. HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IT KEPT HAPPENING. I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE. IT STIFFENS UP, THEN MAKES SOME CLICKING SOUNDS, AND THE CAR JUST GLIDES, I.E. KEEPS ON MOVING. THAT IS NOT SAFE!! I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR OR TAKE ANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE APPREHENSION OF MY BRAKES FAILING AS USUAL. FINALLY, I WENT BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE MECHANICS AND EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY THE BRAKES ARE DOING, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE THINKS THAT IT IS THE "BRAKE SENSOR" DUE TO THE RUST AROUND IT. AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE ON THESE MODEL SUVS. SO FOR THE PAST YEAR, I CAME IN THERE WITH SENSOR "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT (2X), AND BRAKE PROBLEMS (2X) BOTH OF WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOT GET AN INSPECTION PASS UNTIL THEY WERE FIXED. I THINK THAT IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH THE SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY BRAKES. I JUST SAW AN INVESTIGATION DONE ON MY LOCAL NEWS STATION ABOUT THE BOTTOMS OF THESE SUVS COMING APART WITH NO WARNING. ONE WOMAN EVEN PULLED SOMETHING OFF WITH HER BARE HANDS. I BOUGHT MY CARE IN 2001 WITH 9000 MILES ON IT. I DID NOT NOTICE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER, THAT THE BOTTOM JOINTS SHOWED A LOT OF RUST. I WAS SHOCKED AND EMBARRASSED. I ASKED ABOUT THE RUST THEN AND CONTINUE TO, AND THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, THAT'S LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND. BUT I GOT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR USED. ALREADY RUSTED. *TR

Crash 1 injured

I HAVE A 2001 RODEO SPORT, V-6. THERE APPARENTLY IS A FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. THE GAS GAUGE DOES WORK PROPERLY, MOVING ON IT'S OWN, EVEN IF THE TANK IS FULL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CONTINUES TO STAY ON AS THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES. OCCASIONALLY, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL SHOW FULL, UPON FILL UP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF BUT AS THE FUEL LEVEL DROPS, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE STARTS TO FLIP OUT, MOVING FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND BACK TO FULL AGAIN, IT CAN SHOW ANY AMOUNT OF FUEL AT ANYTIME. AS SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE POINTED OUT, ISUZU IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ALL BET THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, BY REPLACING THE SENDING UNIT, THIS INVOLVES DROPPING THE GAS TANK AND REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACING THE SENDING UNIT. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT EASY FOR THE WEEKEND MECHANIC WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS. I ALSO HAVE A OIL PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO LEAKS OF THE ENGINE BUT ABOUT EVERY 1500 MILES, I USE 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS. APPARENTLY, ISUZU DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS AN ISSUE UNTIL IT BECOMES A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES. THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE EXCESSIVE USAGE, EXCEPT FOR BLOW BY OR BURNING IT IN THE CYLINDERS. THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY ISUZU, THERE IS NO REASON WHY AN ENGINE, WHICH I HAVE OWNED AND SERVICED REGULARLY SINCE NEW, SHOULD BE BURNING OIL LIKE THIS. THE TAILPIPE IS CLEAN AND THERE IS NO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND AS I HAVE ALREADY STATED THERE AREN'T ANY LEAKS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE LOSS OF OIL. THIS HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND RODEO I HAVE OWNED AND THE FIRST NEVER USED ANY OIL. I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OIL USAGE IS NORMAL BUT NOT EVERY 1500 MILES ON A NEW ENGINE. *TR

THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY OF MY VEHICLE IS SO ROTTED THAT THE FRAME TO THE VEHICLE HAS FALLEN APART. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE TORQUE ARM FROM THE FRAME TO THE REAR END COMPLETELY FELL OFF. THE CAR BEGAN SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH RESULTED IN THE OTHER SIDE TO FALL OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE LOSS OF POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE CONTACT CROSSED OVER FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS SENSOR FAILURE AND THEY REPLACED THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE HARNESS AND WIRING BE REPLACED FOR THE ENGINE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $1,100. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 3/17/09*LJ ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

I PURCHASED A USED 2001 ISUZU RODEO SPORT IN JUNE 2005. THE VERY NEXT WEEK I HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO CARMAX DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THEY INSISTED IT WAS JUST MY GAS CAP NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MY TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED NOT EVEN 1 YEAR AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE. FOR THE LAST YEAR MY CHECK ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS APPEAR WHEN I HIT A BUMP, THEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DIES OUT. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 15 TIMES A DAY. I'VE COME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT BY OTHERS MANY TIMES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT & THEY SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC COMES UP AS A FUEL INTAKE SENSOR ISSUE. SO I'M JUST VERY CONFUSED, THE CAR DIES OUT SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, USUALLY WHEN A BUMP IS HIT.. HOW COULD THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE GAS?? I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH BECAUSE I'VE DISHED OUT THOUSANDS TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED OVER THE LAST 2 YRS. COME TO FIND OUT, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING DEFECTIVE WIRING IN THE ENGINE, LEADING TO THE CAR DYING OUT WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST IN SHOCK. HOW COULD THIS ISSUE NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YEARS AGO. MANY OF THE COMPLAINS INCLUDE ACCIDENTS BEING A MAJOR PART OF THIS ISSUE. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE AND ISUZU IS AWARE. WHY IS THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF A DEFECT THAT IS IN THE 2001 MODELS.. PLEASE READ THE ARTICLES ON LINE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THERE REALLY ARE. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT DYE OUT WHILE IN MOTION... MY CHILDREN AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE DEFECT AT THIS TIME. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS WITH ISUZU. THANK YOU *TR

A PROBLEM W/BRAKES DURING RAIN ONLY LOCKING UP LEADING TO ACCIDENTS. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS AFTER FIRST ACCIDENT WAS ASSURED BRAKES WERE GOOD SECOND ACCIDENT WAS A ROLL OVER SAME PROBLEM BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL LEADING TO ROLLOVER IN WHICH ATLEAST 2 IMPACTS BEFORE ROLLOVER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Crash 1 injured

A PROBLEM W/BRAKES DURING RAIN ONLY LOCKING UP LEADING TO ACCIDENTS. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN 2 ACCIDENTS AFTER FIRST ACCIDENT WAS ASSURED BRAKES WERE GOOD SECOND ACCIDENT WAS A ROLL OVER SAME PROBLEM BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL LEADING TO ROLLOVER IN WHICH ATLEAST 2 IMPACTS BEFORE ROLLOVER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Crash 1 injured

THE ALARM GOES OFF ANYTIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30 DEGREES. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS LOCKED. KEEPING THE CAR UNLOCKED IN COLD WEATHER IS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. OUR NEIGHBORS WOULD DISAGREE WHEN IT IS HONKING AWAY AT 2 IN THE MORNING! DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OTHER 2001 RODEO SPORTS? *TR