1994 Isuzu RODEO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
63 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
140,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 63 complaints (12.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 12.7% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 12.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 45 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 19 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 6; 2000: 5; 2001: 10; 2002: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 4; 2011: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025441 · 2003-07-05 (July 5, 2003)
ON VERY HOT DAYS, THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ACTIVATED WHEN FIRST SHIFTING GEARS INTO OR OUT OF REVERSE. THE PROBLEM IS HIGHLY INTERMITTENT ( THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 8 TIMES NOW ) AND ONLY STARTED A YEAR AGO (VEHICLE AGE 8 YRS). AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. CHECKING THE ERROR INDICATOR MESSAGE INDICATES THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE GEAR SELECTION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO MY ISUZU SHOP MANUAL @1993, PART NO 2-90994-072-0 THE ERROR IS DTC CODE #54 "MODE SWITCH ILLEGAL POSITION". CYCLING THE IGNITION AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044600 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TRANSMISSION CHECKED. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 764063 · 2002-07-11 (July 11, 2002)
THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE WINTER OF 1998 WHEN I FIRST MOVED FROM CALIFORNIA TO COLDER NEBRASKA AND NOW IN KENTUCKY. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN WINTER TIME AFTER A COLD START (NEVER GOT COLD ENOUGH IN CALIFORNIA). THE BRAKES ARE FROZEN FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP AND THEN FINALLY GIVE SLOWLY. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE LEARNED TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE BY LETTING THE CAR WARM IDLE. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INSTANCES AS IN THIS LAST WINTER WHERE I WAS IN A HURRY AND FORGOT TO LET IT WARM UP WITH THE RESULT OF GOING DOWNHILL AND NOT BEING ABLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 764063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008803 · 2002-04-29 (April 29, 2002)
MOTOR STAYS OVERHEATED.*AK THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND BYPASS HOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES, VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES HESITATION. CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF NOISY BRAKES, ROTORS WERE GLAZED, ROTORS, PADS, AND SEALS WERE REPLACED, BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE. BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED. VEHICLE LURCHES INTO REVERSE, FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED LONG CRANK, ALL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED. REAR DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE DUE TO LATCH STICKING. *SLC ALSO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170825 · 2006-10-14 (October 14, 2006)
ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO THE POWER WINDOWS ON MY RODEO SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING SO WE TOOK THE CONTROL OUT THINKING THAT MAYBE THE WIRES VIBRATED LOOSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHEN WE REMOVED THE CONTROL THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CONTROL OR THE WIRING THAT WE COULD SEE BY JUST LOOKING AT IT SO WE OPENED THE FUSE BOX THAT IS UNDER THE DASH AND FOUND THE FUSE THAT CONTROLLED THE WINDOWS. THE POWER WINDOW FUSE IS A LARGE BOX LOOKING THING(NOT A REGULAR FUSE) WITH A RED BUTTON IN THE MIDDLE THAT WAS POPPED OUT SO WE PUSHED THE BUTTON BACK IN AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729408 · 2000-08-29 (August 29, 2000)
ALTERNATOR REGULATOR OVERCHARGED, CAUSING MAJOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS $2,000. ISUZU INDICATED 1994 ISUZU RODEOS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT OUR VIN WAS NOT WITHIN RECALL. I MAINTAIN THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CONFINED TO THOSE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978339 · 1996-01-29 (January 29, 1996)
A MALFUNCTION IN THE STEERING BOX CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978339 at NHTSA ↗