IllustrationAUTOMATIC 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
1994 Isuzu Rodeo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 89.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rodeo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Power Train complaints
15 reportsTL* - 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
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
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 PR…
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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 WAITING A FEW MINUTES USUALLY CLEARS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS LEFT THE CAR STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY BUT SO FAR HAS NOT LED TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR TAILLIGHT OR FUSE IN THE CIRCUIT BUT DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT NATURE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE FAILING COMPONENT. I BROUGHT THIS TO A SHOP ONCE AND THEY SAID IT REQUIRED OPENING THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH DIFFERS FROM MY SHOP MANUAL.*AK
CLUTCH CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO FALL TO THE FLOOR.
SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT REGISTER , ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENLEY COME ON, VEHICLE WILL ALSO STALL, CAUSING POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *AK
WHILE DESCENDING FROM 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO 2 WHEEL DRIVE/SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR, VEHICLE ACCELERATED, VEHICLE POPPED BACK INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *SD
WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM . TT
REPLACED REAR DEFROSTER TWICE.
Official recalls
402V281000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Oct 15, 2002
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.
97V034001 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Mar 7, 1997
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.
96V170002 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Sep 17, 1996
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.
94V132000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Jul 19, 1994
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ02009 · Seat Belt Latch Failures
Opened Apr 11, 2002 · Closed Dec 17, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; 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.
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.