Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 18 of 82 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
82 reports
150,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING ON THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING ON THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10447001
168,600 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE COMPONENT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V132000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,600 UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAM SHAFT SEAL PLUG CAME OUT AGAIN CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ON THE EXHAUST, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/02/11
NHTSA ODI #10411773
30,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE REAR OF VEHICLE FROM 1997 TO PRESENT. DEALER COULD NEVER LOCATE SOURCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335498
73,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
GAS PEDAL BECOMES STUCK AND ACCELERATION CONTINUES. ACCELERATOR CABLE FROM PEDAL TO THROTTLE IS BECOMES STUCK OFTEN. I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE GAS PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT TO FREE UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335497
78,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRE HARNESS DETERIORATED DO TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, ROUTED TO CLOSE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT AND DISABLING BOTH TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 78K MILES ON IT AND WIRE COVERING/INSULATION SHOULD NOT BE LITERALLY BURNED AWAY WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335495
145,000 miles · Mar 13, 2010
Structure
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH ,UNINSPECTABLE, MOUNTS ON FRAME ARE VERY WEAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319450
158,000 miles · Nov 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V132000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V132000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
NHTSA ODI #10249285
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2008
TiresCrashInjury
REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE (BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A) ON AN ISUZU RODEO RAPIDLY SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER 1-1/4 TIMES. ROOF OF THE VEHICLE CAVED IN AS WELL AS THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING HEAD INJURIES TO ONE OCCUPANT OF 5 IN THE VEHICLE. ALL 5 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES AND…
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REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE (BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A) ON AN ISUZU RODEO RAPIDLY SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER 1-1/4 TIMES. ROOF OF THE VEHICLE CAVED IN AS WELL AS THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING HEAD INJURIES TO ONE OCCUPANT OF 5 IN THE VEHICLE. ALL 5 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES AND 2 REQUIRED HOSPITALIZED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230938
9,709 miles · Jan 18, 2007
Power Train
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1994 MITSUBISHI 3000 GTVR4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BLEW UP ON THE HIGH WAY DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED NY A LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED A HALF AN HOUR AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A RAINY DAY AND HE WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.…
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TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1994 MITSUBISHI 3000 GTVR4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BLEW UP ON THE HIGH WAY DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED NY A LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS HAPPENED A HALF AN HOUR AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A RAINY DAY AND HE WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS COMPONENT IS UNDER SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 02V143001, AND THAT HE WOULD LIKE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL AT NO COST TO HIMSELF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10179024
147,000 miles · Oct 14, 2006
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire
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 UND…
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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 THE WINDOWS BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. AFTER USING THEM FOUR OR FIVE TIME JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WORKED WE TURNED OF THE IGNITION AND DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. TODAY WHEN WE STARTED THE TRUCK EVERYTHING WAS FINE THEN AFTER LETTING IT RUN FOR 5-10 MINUTES I WENT TO GET INTO IT AND THE INSIDE WAS FULL OF SMOKE WE IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE TRUCK AND THEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE DOOR WE REMOVED THE CONTROL AND THE WIRES WERE MELTED PRETTY BAD. WE THEN LOOKED IN THE FUSE BOX TO SEE IF THE FUSE HAD POPPED AGAIN AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE HAD STARTED BURNING AND WAS MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX. WE TRIED TO REMOVE THE FUSE AND BECAUSE IT WAS SO BADLY MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX IT CRUMBLED WHEN WE TRIED TO REMOVE IT. WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT TO ANYONE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT IS SATURDAY AND THE DEALER ISN'T OPEN TODAY. *NM
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS, THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MID-DECEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070.
AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CONTAIN MANUFACTURING ERRORS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CHARGING OF THE VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR, RESULTING IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, AND/OR EVENTUAL ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH A NEW REGULATOR.
THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Seat Belts
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Seat Belts
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
SQ96009 · Brush/grille Guard Campaign
Opened Jan 10, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ADDITION INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SUBJECT BULLETIN.LOSS OF AN ITEM THIS SIZE WOULD HAVE SAFETY COSEQUENCES.THIS SQ IS OPENED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
1994 Isuzu Rodeo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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