1995 Isuzu Rodeo Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1995 Rodeo most often describe two very different kinds of trouble: wheel studs and lug nuts that seize or strip during tire service, and rear frames that rust through badly enough that mechanics decline to work on the vehicle. Brake, cooling and electrical complaints round out the picture, with many reports filed years after the truck was new.

1. 1
   Wheels

   Stuck, stripped or snapped wheel studs and lug nuts

   • 28 complaints (16%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2003

   Owners describe lug nuts that seize to the studs and have to be cut or broken off, or studs that strip and snap during routine tire rotation. Several say shops refused to change their tires or warned that the studs are too soft, and some report loose nuts and vibration while driving. Complaints describe replacing studs, and in some cases the front hub or seal as well; dealers, according to the complaints, often attributed the damage to impact wrenches rather than the parts. Reported across a wide mileage range, commonly around 80,000 to 100,000 miles and after repeated tire service.

   What to check: Before buying, have the wheels removed and refitted by hand to see whether the studs and nuts come off cleanly, and ask whether studs or hubs have been replaced. Carry a breaker bar and check torque after any tire shop visit.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon inspection, my mechanic told me the studs: lugs: nuts on the 2 front tires would need to be replaced because the metal that was used to manufacture them was to soft thus causing failure. Failure caused the studs to become cross threaded and one stud broke and was missing from the wheel.”

   NHTSA complaint #752060, filed 2001-09

   “A loud noise is coming from the engine, sounds like a rattle when idle-up. I was told that the sound is the result of faulty hydraulic lifters and that the lifters are to small in the 95 models. I also hear rodeos that sound the same way. What I would like to know is how many complaints have you had about this situation and is it being investagated? I also noticed that there are many complaints on your web site about this problem as well as lugs stripping during tire rotations. I already had to replace some. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10041461, filed 2003-10
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Rear frame rusted through

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 159,596 mi at 16.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2015

   Complaints describe rear frame sections near the shock and leaf spring mounts rusting through, sometimes with holes visible in the rail. Owners report mechanics declining service or saying the vehicle should not be driven, and repairs involving cutting out and welding in new steel. Several owners said the manufacturer or dealer would not assist with the repair. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, typically on trucks 15 or more years old in rust-belt conditions.

   What to check: Inspect the frame rails behind the rear wheels and around the shock and leaf spring mounts with a hammer and pick, looking for scale, flaking and holes. Ask for an inspection by a shop familiar with rust repair before committing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Frame is rusted completely into from just in front of the shock mounts on the rear of my 1995 Isuzu Rodeo. The rear shocks went through the frame an cut the lines to the fuel pump an shorted it an it does not work now. We wrecked ran in a ditch an now can not drive it.we are now down to one vehicle an my wife has to get a ride from work from her dad.”

   NHTSA complaint #10332057, filed 2010-05, 204,650 miles

   “When we took the vehicle in for service we were told there is significant rust damage to the frame. It could not be fixed and as a result was not worth putting much money into the car. Today when we took it to a different garage we were told there is a recall on the frame. I am unable to find evidence of a recall for this model year.”

   NHTSA complaint #10470480, filed 2012-08, 117,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, fluid leaks and pedal going soft

   • 18 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 2.1 yrs old
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe rotors and hubs deteriorating so the brakes pulsate or lose stopping power, and ABS solenoid faults that let fluid leak and the pedal feel soft. Complaints also mention brake lines wearing where they rub in the wheel area and, in some reports, locked brakes during a stop. Dealers reportedly diagnosed worn lines or replaced drums and hubs in some cases. Reported across many mileages; several complaints concern trucks with substantial age and mileage, and some describe failure on downgrades or wet roads.

   What to check: Check rotor and hub condition and look for brake fluid seepage at the ABS unit and along the lines near the wheels. Ask when the brake fluid was last changed and whether the lines have been inspected for rubbing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling on highway on a downward slope at approximately 55 MPH brakes were depressed all the way to the floor, and braking system failed to bring vehicle to a stop. Dealership examined vehicle, and has informed consumer that brake lines were worn. As a result of this when wheels were turned a mechanical arm link in wheel assembly rubbed against brake line. Please provide any additional information/attachments.”

   NHTSA complaint #888033, filed 2001-05

   “My son was driving his 1995 Isuzu Rodeo on a wet road. He was not speeding and was not driving beyond the road condition. He applied the brakes as he was approaching a stop sign and the brakes subsequently locked up. The car started skidding and the vehicle slid into the northbound lane of hwy 603. He was struck on the drivers door by a northbound vehicle and was sent into a spin, partially airborne and thrown into the southbound lane. As a result, a southbound vehicle struck him. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10019274, filed 2003-05
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling, rough running and hard starting

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 99,990 mi at 10.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe intermittent stalling at speeds from parking lot to highway, engines that cut out over bumps, and occasional surging or racing idle. Complaints mention fuel filter and injector replacement, starter and corroded wiring repairs, and speed sensor replacement; in several cases the problem returned after repair. Some owners note a lack of replacement parts and closed dealerships as an obstacle to repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, often with the problem recurring over months.

   Recall 97V034001

   What to check: Ask whether the charging system and starter have been serviced, and check that the alternator replacement under campaign 97V034001 was completed. Test drive at varying speeds and over rough pavement to look for hesitation or cutting out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car engine rise up as if my feet is on the gas all the way. I can be driving and the engine speed up on it own and then it stop. I taken it to the shop and they can't find why. It does not do it all the time but you never know when it going to do it. I can crank it up and have it running in park and the engine will rare up and I just cut it off and let it sit for a while and some time it will do it and then there are a lot of time it will not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10225668, filed 2008-04

   “Dt: the contact complained about an intermittent stalling problem. This happened driving 5 to 75 MPH. She took the vehicle to a mechanic for diagnostic testing. The fuel filter and injector were replaced. The problem seemed to have gone away, but resurfaced. This has been happening for the last four months. She spoke with an authorized dealership, and they suggested that she bring the vehicle in for service. She did make an appointment for the same day. Updated 11/29/05.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141505, filed 2005-11, 100,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Engine rattle or tapping from lifters and valve train

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a loud rapping or clicking from the engine at idle that can carry up to moderate speeds and sometimes fades after warm-up. Owners report being told the hydraulic lifters or rocker arms are the source and that the oil passages are small on this model, and that oil changes and rocker arm work did not always resolve it. One complaint also describes oil seeping into the spark plug tubes. Reported at a range of mileages, often noticed at idle and in the first minutes of driving.

   What to check: Listen to a cold start and idle with the hood open for tapping or rapping that persists once warm, and ask whether lifters or rocker arms have been serviced. Check the spark plug wells for oil.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my Isuzu Rodeo to have the rocker arm noise fixed. After picking up the car having already done the left side of the motor and no the right.....the idle never has been the same..car has been in on 5 times now for a total of 13 days. They cant figure it out. Told me until the idle is up all the time they cant fix it...they just dont know what it is.”

   NHTSA complaint #740594, filed 2001-02

   “The engine when at idle starts to make a loud rapping noise from the engine compartment. The noise sounds like faulty lifters within an engine. The noise will continue from idle all the way to approximately 40 MPH. After 20 minutes of operation the noise will go away.”

   NHTSA complaint #715512, filed 1999-12

Buying note. These are old trucks, so condition matters more than reputation: inspect the rear frame for rust first, since that is the most expensive problem owners describe, then check wheel studs and brake condition. Service records showing completed recalls and recent brake and cooling work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.