1993 Isuzu Rodeo

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 34 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the wheels › lugs/nuts/bolts/studs. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Suspension › Front2
200
Structure › Body › Door2
010
Fuel System, Gasoline2
000
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core1
000
Vehicle Speed Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine94V132000
Filed Jul 19, 1994122,297 vehiclesIsuzu Motors Limited

Defect. CONSTANT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSES THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE CAMSHAFT.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL CAMSHAFT END SEAL PLUG RETAINER PLATES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 6, 201098,135 milesNY

SMELLING GASOLINE, INVESTIGATION SHOWED GAS TANK WAS RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT FINGERS COULD BE PUSHED INTO TANK. ALMOST ALL OF IT WAS LIKE THIN PAPER MACHE. REPLACED TANK AND ONE YEAR LATER THE GAS FILLER TUBE ALSO RUSTED OUT. 1993 RODEO PURCHASED NEW--GAS TANK REPLACED IN 2008--FILLER GAS TUBE IN 2009. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 4, 2009176,000 milesTN

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, AND EVERY SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACKFIRING, AND IT EVENTUALLY STARTED DRIVING REALLY SLOW. IT ALSO SMOKES FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SMELL OF THE FUMES HAVE BEEN VERY STRONG SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ALSO THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WON'T WORK. THE BACKSEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS HARD TO OPEN, AND THE WINDOW HAD A STICK IN IT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ROLL ALL THE WAY UP OR TO ROLL DOWN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2007183,000 milesTX

I HAVE A 1993 ISUZU RODEO THAT STARTED LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL ONTO THE MANIFOLD. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A VALVE COVER GASKET SEAL AND REPLACED IT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR CAMSHAFT MOUNT/SEAL AREA. I LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THERE WAS, BECAUSE IT WAS SO UNUSUAL. TO MY SURPRISE THOUGH THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER MY VIN, ALTHOUGH IT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR. IS THERE ANY WAY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THANKS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2006FL

MAKE:ISUZU MODEL:RODEO YEAR:1993 CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V132000 DEALER SAID THAT I WAS NOT ON THERE DATA BASE. BUT MY ISUZU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM; OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM SHAFT AND THE OIL IS LEAKING ON TO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. PLEASE ADVISE THANKS IN ADVANCE ILDEFONSO 407-808-4746. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2006CA

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #94V132000 WHICH IS FOR A RECALL ON 1993 ISUZU RODEOS. I CALLED AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND TOLD THEM 1993 ISUZU RODEO IS HAVING THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED BY THE RECALL. THEY SAID MY VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. HOWEVER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL SUMMARY: CONSTANT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSES THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE CAMSHAFT. OIL IS LEAKING FROM MY CAR AND HAS BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THIS HAS CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. AND IT IS CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH AS STATED IN THE RECALL CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. I'M NOT SURE WHY MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL , BUT I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT SINCE MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY VIN # IS [XXX]. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE PHONE # OR E-MAIL ADDRESS LISTED. THANK YOU. *AK UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Feb 9, 2004CO

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT REAR END. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INSPECT VEHICLE, AND NOTICED WHEEL AND AXLE BROKE OFF FROM AXLE HOUSING. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 28, 200374,012 milesMA

MY ENGINE JUST "DIED" IN AUGUST 2000. BEST CHEVROLET AND ISUZU IN HINGHAM MA SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW OR REBUILT ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1993. I DID NOT WANT A REBUILT AND VERY NICELY, BUT FIRMLY, ASKED THAT THEY COVER IT AND GIVE ME A BRAND NEW ENGINE, TO WHICH ISUZU CORP. AND THE DEALER AGREED IF I PAID FOR THE LABOR COSTS OF INSTALLING IT. I THOUGHT THIS SOUNDED FAIR AT THE TIME, SO I AGREED. I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN JULY 1994 AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED BY ISUZU CORPORATION OR THE DEALER! I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OF "WHITE SMOKE" BLOWING OUT THE EXHAUST ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE IT IN WRITING (FOR THE MECHANICS TO INVESTIGATE) ON ALL MY RECEIPTS. THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED, YET THEY KEPT CHARGING ME FOR "LOOKING INTO IT" -- A $100. HERE, $200. THERE. I ALSO ASKED THEM TO SAVE THE OLD ENGINE AFTER THE BRAND NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS THEY HAD TO "TURN IT IN." (I'VE SINCE LEARNED THIS VIOLATES MASS. LAW) AT THE TIME, I TOLD HIM THAT DOESN'T MAKE SINCE. WHY WOULD THEY HAVE TO TURN IN AN OLD, NON WORKING ENGINE TO GET A NEW ONE?!? MY BROTHER, ADAM HOOVER, WAS A WITNESS TO THIS CONVERSATION. ALSO, SINCE THEN, I'VE LEARNED THAT WHEN A REBUILT ENGINE IS PURCHASED, THE DEALER TURNS IN THE OLD ONE FOR THE "CORE." I PAID OVER $3500. SUPPOSEDLY FOR LABOR COSTS! I WAS BLATANTLY RIPPED OFF AND I WANT TO

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Aug 12, 2002NC

WHILE DRIVING WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT, AND THEN SOON AFTER CONSUMER PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

Electrical System › WiringFire4 injured
Filed Jul 26, 2002NC

WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN A FIRE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK 4 PEOPLE WERE IRRITATED FROM HEAVY SMOKE. *SLC

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 18, 2001IL

REAR DOORS WERE STUCK. CONSUMER CANNOT OPEN DOORS AT ALL. HE CAME HOME TODAY, AND BOTH REAR DOORS WERE LOCKED, AND WILL NOT OPEN. *AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Oct 12, 2000FL

WHILE CHANGING A FLAT TIRE, CONSUMER TRIED TO TAKE 2 LUG NUTS LOOSE AND THEY BROKE. *SLC

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 8, 2000GA

DANIEL STANSBURY ON AUGUST 10, 2000, WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 16 NEAR METTER, GA, WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE, RESULTING IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF HIS 1993 ISUZU RODEO. HE HEARD THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATE, WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION, BEGAN TO FISHTAIL, TRIED TO CORRECT THE FISH-TAILING, AND LOST CONTROL, AND HIS CAR BEGAN TO FLIP. THE CAR FLIPPED TWO OR THREE TIMES. DANIEL STANSBURY, AGE 25 WAS THE DRIVER AND WAS HURT, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE EXTENSIVE CARE OR TREATMENT. WE HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AS WELL AS POLICE REPORT. IT IS POSSIBLE TO RECEIVE A COPY.( DOT NUMBER: VDYKWTA26 TIRE SIZE: 32X11.50R1 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 9, 2000NM

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH FRONT TIRES (P235/75R15) SEPARATED AND WENT FLAT. CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE, DRIVING OFF THE ROAD. THEN, SIX DAYS AFTERWARD REAR TIRES HAD SAME PROBLEM. *AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jun 19, 2000GA

AFTER TAKING VEHICLE FOR MAINTENANCE WORK TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, TECHNICIAN TRIED TO REPLACE TIRES, AND LUGS: NUTS BROKE OFF. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 27, 1999NV

WOULD BE DRIVING & STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR ON ITS OWN INTO SAFE MODE. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON PRIOR TO DOWN SHIFTING. THE ENGINE CAN BE HEARD SHIFTING DOWN. VEHICLE HARDLY MOVED. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES CONCERNING PROBLEM. MECHANIC CAN LOCATE CAUSE OR FIX PROBLEM. WOULD HAVE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF & WAIT BEFORE RESTARTING IT AGAIN. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 7, 1999IL

THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCKING MECHANISM WORKS. THE LATCH ASSEMBLY SEEMS TO BE FROZEN. THE DEALER THINKS IT MAY BE DUE TO THE LATCH MECHANISM RUSTING AND "FREEZING" UP. THEY WOULD NEED THE BODY SHOP TO REMOVE THE DOOR TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. ESTIMATED COST IS MINIMUM $250. CALLED ISUZU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT WORK WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AND THEN A FIELD REP CAN BE CALLED TO LOOK AT IT. THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT ISUZU WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SITUATION AND IT WOULD LEAVE US WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THE DOOR WOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED BY THAT TIME. WE ARE CONCERNED OVER THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN THAT SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. IN AN EMERGENCY WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE DOOR OPEN IN A TIMELY MANNER TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN FROM THE VEHICLE.

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Dec 4, 1998VA

CONSUMER LEARNED OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE SPARK PLUG TUBE/ VALVE COVER SEAL WHICH CAUSED LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL TO LEAK AT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WHICH CAN RESULT INTO A FIRE. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Sep 30, 1998UN

BACK DOORS OF VEHICLE CANNOT OPEN.

Structure › Body › DoorFire
Filed Sep 14, 1998NV

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRICAL DOOR PANEL WHEN THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 17, 1998MA

THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING LEAKS IN THE FUEL TANK, IN WHICH IF THERE WAS A SOURCE OF IGNITION A FIRE MAY OCCUR. *AK

20 of 34 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20081000Routine
200439210Routine
200316300Routine
2002101210Routine
2001389430Above average
2000274470Above average
1999550581Fatalities reported
1998478620High concern
1997118100Routine
199697121Fatalities reported
1995176213Fatalities reported
199482510Routine
1993 — this page34231Fatalities reported
1992801163Fatalities reported
1991422150Routine

Compare every Rodeo year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 17, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.