1998 ISUZU RODEO Electrical System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED THE CONTACT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WAS USED IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGAR'S AND REAR PASSENGAR'S SIDE DOORS MANUALLY. THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OCASSIONALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THAT THE REAR END OF THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING THE FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GASOLINE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FAULTY. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 168,000

STARTING THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF ANTI THEFT. TURNING THE KEY TO START THE CAR WOULD NOT ELICIT ANY REACTION AT ALL. THE CAR IS DESIGNED SO THAT WHEN THE CAR IGNITION IS TURNED THIS GROUNDS THE ANTI-THEFT AND THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL THEN CAN PASS TO THE STARTER. TO FIX THE PROBLEM WE GROUNDED THE ANTI-THEFT PERMANENTLY TO THE BODY FROM THE ENGINE MOUNTED FUSE BOX. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU RODEO. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE HORN THE SOUND, THE VOLUME WAS VERY LOW AND OTHER VEHICLES WERE UNABLE TO HEAR IT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 258.

Mileage: 258

FUEL GAUGE BEGAN READING ERRONEOUS. REPLACED FUEL SENDING UNIT LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK BUT STILL ONLY READS 1/8 OF A TANK WHEN FULL. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE MUST BE REPROGRAMMED BY THE DEALER FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL YEAR. I HAVE TO GO BY THE MILES DRIVEN TO ESTIMATE NEXT FUEL STOP. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND HAD BEEN LODGED THERE FOR 5 DAYS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CABLE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

Mileage: 139,950

DT: THE CONTACT STATED H VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND AFTER IT STALLED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE LESS THAN TWELVE HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID RESPOND. THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THE FIRE WAS OF AN ELECTRICAL NATURE. *AK UPDATED 02/24/06. *JB

Mileage: 98,651

INTERMITTENTLY CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, DOORS UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. THE POWER LOCKS DID NOT WORK THE WAY THEY WERE DESIGNED TO WORK.*AK

Mileage: 80,000

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

VEHICLE REGISTRATION WAS INCORRECT WHICH CAUSED THE RECALL NOTICE 98 V 170 000 TO GO TO AN INCORRECT ADDRESS. THE DEFECT OCCURRED, AND MANUFACTURER WAS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL BASED ON THE CAMPAIGN ENDING.*AK

Mileage: 88,000

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED IN FRONT OF OWNER'S HOME - IN FIRST GEAR WITH PARKING BREAK ENGAGED AND WHEELS TURNED TOWARD THE ROAD. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND, ALTHOUGH PARKING BREAK WAS APPLIED, VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE ROTATING, AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS "DRIVING ITSELF". VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED 6+ FEET IN FRONT OF IT. WHEN IT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE IT PUSHED AND HELD THE VEHICLE'S FRAME ABOUT 3 INCHES FORWARD. THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND CONTINUED CLICKING. FIRE AND POLICE WERE CALLED. WHEN FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVED, FIREMEN REMOVED BATTERY CABLES TO VEHICLE AND PUSHED VEHICLE BACK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE'S BODY (VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN HIT) SWUNG BACK OVER IT'S FRAME. THIS VERY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE WAS WITNESSED BY THE WOMAN WHOSE VEHICLE HAD BEEN HIT. ALSO, ABS SYSTEM ON THE ISUZU NEVER WORKED AND THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MOST TIMES DIDN'T ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE AS IT SHOULD HAVE. 0N 7/9/2003 THE DEALER STATED THE ANTI THEFT MODULE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO START UP. *AK

Mileage: 50,000

I HAVE CONTINUALLY REPLACED MAJOR PARTS ON MY VEHICLE SINCE OWNING IT. FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, FUEL PUMP, ETC.*AK

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE REAR SENSOR AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *TT

Mileage: 74,587

AIR BAG FAILURE. ALSO DUE TO DESIGN HORN HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE. *AK

VEHICLE ORIGINALLY FAILED SUMMER OF 2000 WITH ~42000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE WOULD STALL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RE-FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT UNTIL THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN, THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AS TIME WENT ON, THE FAILURES BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND MORE SEVERE. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT START FOR 5-20 MINS. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS COLD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED THE LAST 6 TIMES THE VECHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR OTHER SERVICE AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DURING HOT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY. SAME SYMPTOMS AS 98V170000 RECALL. DEALER CLAIMS RECALL WAS PERFORMED OR VEHICLE WAS N/A. DEALER JUST KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR 11 DAYS, WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM 1 TIME. CONTACTED ISUZU AND CLEANED ALL GROUND WIRE CONTACTS. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN IN MANY DANGERSOUS SITUATIONS WITH THE VECHICLE STALLED ON HIGH-SPEED FREEWAYS WITH NO SHOULDER TO PULL ONTO, AND IN TRAFFIC WHERE I HAVE NEARLY BEEN REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 98-V-170-000. BUT THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *TT

ENGINE INTERMITTANTLY SHUTS DOWN WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IE. HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO GO THRU A TOLL OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THIS I FEEL IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE IF I GET CAUGHT STOPPED ON THE ROAD AND GET REAR ENDED. *AK

ROUGH IDLE & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STALLING. LARGE CRACK DEALER SAYS SEES MANY OF THESE. *AK

THE PCM UNIT ON THE 1998 ISUZU RODEO WAS RECALLED IN 1998. DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM, ISUZU IS UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

DO NOT BUY ONE! HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AND HAS BEEN IN SHOP 10 TIMES FOR VARIOUS REASONS: ELECTRICAL, STRANGE NOISES FROM EVERYWHERE, CHECK ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FOR NO REASON, VALVE NOISE(S) AT 15K MILES, RECALLS, ETC. *AK

HORN WILL JUST START BLOWING NON-STOP. ONCE CAR WARMS UP, IT WILL STOP. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE HORN TO START BLOWING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. IT WAS THE AIRBAG THAT WAS CAUSING THE HORN TO GO OFF. *AK *ML

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT 65 MPH UNDER CRUISE CONTROL FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF THREE HOURS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. A RAINSTORM WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ENGAGED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES OF SUCH OPERATION, THE ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SUDDENLY CEASED. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY (JULY 10, 1999). A SIMILAR COMPLETE SHUTDOWN OCCURRED IN DECEMBER, 1998 AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY THE DEALER ON JULY 13, 1999. IN EACH OF THESE INSPECTIONS, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE INITIAL INCIDENT IN DECEMBER, 1998 OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT DURING A SEVERE SNOWSTORM AT 35 MPH AND RESULTED IN BEING FORCED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS/POWER. THE LATEST TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN DAYLIGHT BUT AT HIGH SPEED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE TWO RECENT INCIDENTS WAS A VERY NEAR MISS AS A 16 WHEEL TRACTOR TRAILER WAS FOLLOWING ABOUT 200 FEET BEHIND WHEN ALL POWER WAS UNEXPECTEDLY LOST. *AK

ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMING ON, REPLACED PCM, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FLASH. MJS

FRONT WIRING HARNESS FAILED. NLM

ALTERNATOR FAILED TWICE. YH

NO SUMMARY INCLUDED. *AK

HARNESS CLIP MISSING FROM UNDER DASH.

VEHICLE HAS MANY PROBLEMS FROM START, CAR SHIMMY'S WITH NO AVAILABLE FIX, REAR BRAKES MAKE NOISE, BUMPER PAINT IS VERY CHEAP, STEERING WHEEL MAKES RUBBING NOISE WHEN TURNED, REAR CUP-HOLDER DOESN'T STAY SHUT. TAKES TOO LONG TO START VEHICLE.

VEHICLE HARD TO START. SOMETIMES NEED TO HOLD THE KEY IN START POSITION FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY WEEK AT RANDOM TIMES. HAVE THE DEALER CHECK IT OUT SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

GOING 55MPH WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS FLICKED ON & THEN WENT OFF. STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK. VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SITTING AWHILE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ALTERNATOR CAUSED A DRAIN ON BATTERY & NEEDED REPAIRS. *AK

GOING 55MPH WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS FLICKED ON & THEN WENT OFF. STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK. VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SITTING AWHILE. WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ALTERNATOR CAUSED A DRAIN ON BATTERY & NEEDED REPAIRS. *AK