1996 Isuzu RODEO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
125,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 48 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 6 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 6; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 37 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1996: 4; 2000: 12; 2001: 8; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029202 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
ENGINE PROBLEMS;LOSING POWER AND MAKING POPPING NOISES, WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING FROM START TO 75 MPH VEHICLE STOPS, AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN EVERYTHING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WONT TURN OFF, ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN STAYS ON,PROBLEMS STARTED ON OR ABOUT OCT 2002 AND HAVE NOT STOPPED,TRIED TO CONTACT DEALER, DEALER NO LONGER EXISTS.HELP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041640 · 2003-10-11 (October 11, 2003)
MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY ON AND THEN IT DON'T DO IT FOR A WHILE AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPAIR A NUMBER OF TIMES AND IT DO NOT DO IT BUT WHEN IT IS ON AND YOU ARE DRIVING IT DRIVE REAL GOOD BUT WHEN YOU STOP IT DOES NOT WANT TO PULL OF LIKE IT IS IN A STRAIN AND WHEN I PUT IT DOWN IN LOW GEAR AND PULL OFF IT DRIVES GOOD AND I SHIFT UNTIL I GET IT BACK IN DRIVE AND IT IS FIND UNTIL YOU STOP A GAIN. AND THERE WAS ONE OCCASION I STOP AND IT REAR UP TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK IT STILL DID THE SAME THING I HAD TO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050584 · 2003-12-16 (December 16, 2003)
I HAVE HAD TO PUT THREE CLUTCHES IN MY 96 ISUZU RODEO IN ONLY FOUR YEARS. MECHANICS ALL REPORT THAT ORIGINAL CLUTCH DESIGN IS BAD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067010 · 2004-04-12 (April 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, BUT THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. CONSUMER CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. THEN, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIRE WAS NOT ON RECALL. BRIDGESTONE, FIRESTONE, DUELER 684, P245/70R16, DOT UDR381. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072514 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)
MY 1996 ISUZU RODEO LS SUFFERED APPROXIMATELY 30 DRIPS PER MINUTE LEAK ON TOP OF MY V6 ENGINE, POSING A POTENTIAL EXPLOSION HAZARD. THE LEAK WAS NOT FOUND FOR OVER TWO MONTHS BECAUSE THE ODOR WAS ONLY PRESENT WHILE THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING. FUEL WAS BURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY IGNITED TWICE WHEN MY WIFE NOTICED SMOKE AND A STRONG UNIDENTIFYABLE ODOR. IT WAS NOT UNTIL MAY 2 THAT I STARTED THE TRUCK ON MY DRIVEWAY, THEN POPPED THE HOOD THEN I SAW THE FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PLACED IN THE SHOP TO REPAIR OIL LEAKS J…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098491 · 2004-11-08 (November 8, 2004)
FOR THE 2ND TIME THE LUGS & STUDS ON THE ISUZU RODEO HAVE EITHER BROKEN/CRACKED OR STRIPPED WHEN A TIRE ROATION IS BEING PREFORMED. BOTH TIMES SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANUELLY TRIED TO REMOVE THE LUGS . AND AFTERWARDS TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE LUGS. AS A RESULT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE - SINCE THE STUDS ARE BUILT FROM THE INNER SIDE OUTWARD. NOW WITH SEVERAL LUGS STRIPPED AGAIN, I FEAR I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE AXLE AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10098491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146569 · 2005-12-30 (December 30, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RPMS REVVED AS HIGH AS THE GAUGE WOULD ALLOW. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, CHECKED THE ENGINE ,AND DISCOVERED THE RUBBER BOOT IN THE THROTTLE BODY WAS MELTED. THE BOOT WAS REMOVED BY THE CONTACT AND THIS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 73,368 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159281 · 2006-06-07 (June 7, 2006)
MY EGR VALVE ON MY 96 ISUZU RODEO KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST YEAR HE HAS SOLD OVER 100 EGR VALVES FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THEM. I NEED TO KNOW WHY THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THIS DO TO IT BEING AN ONGOING PROBLEM CAUSING EXTREMELY BAD GAS USE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159281 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.