Owners have filed 60 complaints
about the 1991 Isuzu Rodeo with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
621.4%
Gasoline
517.9%
Buckle Assembly
517.9%
Front Underhood
310.7%
Frame AND Members
310.7%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
27.1%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
27.1%
Foundation Components
27.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 8Jun 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Isuzu Rodeo
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95009Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1991 Isuzu Rodeo
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E065000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
91V118000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL GAUGES (DIP STICKS) INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT TO DESIGNED SPECIFICATIONS. THE GAUGE INDICATES THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD BE ADDED WHEN IT IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL.
Risk: ADDING MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID THAN REQUIRED WILL CAUSETHE FLUID TO LEAK THROUGH THE FLUID LEVEL GAUGE TUBE ONTO THE MANIFOLD AS THEENGINE TEMPERATURE RISES. THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995129113,044 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Recall 19931332,926 units in Canada
Powertrain
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK MUST BE PROPERLY REINSTALLED AFTER CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL. IF THE DIPSTICK IS NOT LOCKED, LEAKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A WARNING TAG WILL BE INSTALLED TO THE DIPSTICK CAP TO SERVE AS A REMINDER TO ALWAYS LOCK THE DIPSTICK AFTER CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL AND NOT TO OVERFILL WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Recall 1991103157 units in Canada
Engine
ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND V6 ENGINE, OVERFILLING OF TRANSMISSION OIL IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIGH OIL TEMPERATURE, COULD CAUSE OIL TO FLOOD THROUGH THE AIR BLEED GROOVE IN THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE PLUG. LEAKING OIL COULD WET THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK WITH AN IMPROVED PLUG DESIGN AND CLEARER OIL LEVEL MARKS.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 180,000 milesCreston, IAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
DT: VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE. TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND DRIVER PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL BUT CALLERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER, BUT CALLER COULDN'T REACH ANYONE.
NHTSA complaint #10123728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 109,000 milesAmherst, VA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT WENT TO GET AN EXHAUST AT A MUFFLER SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS RUSTED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE TUBULAR STEP USED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND FELL OFF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10231707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SEAT BELT POPS OUT OF LOCKING MECHANISM AT WILL. ALSO,SEAT BELT HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM LOCKING MECHANISM BY DRIVER'S ELBOW UNINTENTIONALLY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10190988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesCreston, IAFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
DT: VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE. TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND DRIVER PULLED OVER AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE HAD A RECALL BUT CALLERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO CONTACT MANUFACTURER, BUT CALLER COULDN'T REACH ANYONE.
NHTSA complaint #10123728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
AT LEAST SIX (6) TIMES THE ANTI-LOCK AND BRAKE LIGHTS STAYS ON. IT GIVES A FALSE INDICATION THAT THERE IS A BRAKE PROBLEM, WHEN IN FACT THE BRAKES ARE FINE. IN EVERY CASE THE PROBLEM IS THE SPEED SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT SHORTED OUT. IT BECOMES A VERY COSTLY BILL TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR EVERY OTHER YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10104917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covina, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 95V103009 NOTICE CONCERNING SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE SEAT BELT BECAME UNDONE WHILE DRIVING ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO INSTALLED A GUIDE KIT, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK DEALER ONLY INSTALLED A GUIDE KIT INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, WHICH LED TO THE SEAT BELT CONTINUE TO UNBUCKLE BY THEMSELVES.
NHTSA complaint #10061535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,460 milesNEW Orleans, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
COMING OFF OF THE INTWERSTATE, THE EMGINE COUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. A FIRE TRUCK HAD TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10007838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bismarck, ND
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NP SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: R15LT MS)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: R15LT MS )
NHTSA complaint #733334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington MN, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE "RUSTED SHUT" REAR DOOR LOCKS AND REAR DOOR WINDOW ASSEMBLIES ARE/WERE A PROBLEM KNOWN TO AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT AN ISUZU DEALER YET THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS/SERVICE MANAGER DENIED THE PROBLEM EXISTED AND "BLAMED THE MESSENGER" SAYING THAT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ENOUGH TO HAVE THE CRANK AND LOCK ASSEMBLIES REMOVED AND LUBRICATED ONCE EVERY YEAR OR TWO BECAUSE I LIVE IN A COLD, WET STATE. ADDITIONALLY, THE FAILURES TO BOTH DOORS FOR BOTH THE LOCK AND THE WINDOW CRANK ASSEMBLIES OCCURRED NOT JUST ONCE BUT TWICE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS AGENCY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT BUT I FEEL BETTER HAVING REPORTED IT AND THE INCREDIBLY OFFENSIVE AND BAD FAITH BEHAVIOR OF ISUZU MOTORS.
NHTSA complaint #717121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Neptune, NJFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY NOTICED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. RECALL 91V118000.
NHTSA complaint #846928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #713041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longbeach, AFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND WITHIN MINUTES VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED BY FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #848941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #712250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION LEAK CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE AND EXPERIENCE A ROUGH IDLE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (91V118000), CAUSING STRONG ODOR.
NHTSA complaint #513799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR LOCKS FALLING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #513799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Andrews AFB, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES; ALSO ABS LIGHT GOES ON/OFF.
NHTSA complaint #523402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennedale, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #844094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK DUE TO THE RUBBER THAT IS AROUND THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #837815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
POSSIBLE LEAKING FUEL LINE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #542096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FUEL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #539181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SCFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #537370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.