2001 Isuzu Rodeo Sport: check engine light

Filed May 6, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 71,041 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

My brakes do not function properly. In the past year, I have replaced the front brakes and on the next occasion, the rear brakes. The first time because of a near accident when pressing on the brake and it failing to slow down to a stop. Eventually stopping. The next time, it actually didn't stop until I hit the back of a minivan, then a sedan and SUV crashed into the back of my car. When I got my brakes replaced after that, I almost hit a pedestrian less than a block from the repair shop. Then driving to work, I noticed that the brakes still weren't responding. I took the car back to the shop the next day, and had the mechanic drive around and drive the car with me. He felt there was nothing wrong. It kept happening. I press down on the brake. It stiffens up, then makes some clicking sounds, and the car just glides, I.e. Keeps on moving. That is not safe!! I'm afraid to drive my car or take any long distance trips because of the apprehension of my brakes failing as usual. Finally, I went back once again to the mechanics and explained what exactly the brakes are doing, and the mechanic said that he thinks that it is the "brake sensor" due to the rust around it. And that he has seen this before on these model suvs. So for the past year, I came in there with sensor "check engine" light (2x), and brake problems (2x) both of which caused me to not get an inspection pass until they were fixed. I think that it all had to do with the sensor not working on my brakes. I just saw an investigation done on my local news station about the bottoms of these suvs coming apart with no warning. One woman even pulled something off with her bare hands. I bought my care in 2001 with 9000 miles on it. I did not notice until a few days later, that the bottom joints showed a lot of rust. I was shocked and embarrassed. I asked about the rust then and continue to, and the answer is always, that's living in new england. But I got the car less than a year used. Already rusted.

Filed May 23, 2009 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · CO

I have a 2001 rodeo sport, v-6. There apparently is a failure of the fuel pump sending unit. The gas gauge does work properly, moving on it's own, even if the tank is full. The check engine light is on and continues to stay on as the fuel gauge fluctuates. Occasionally, the fuel gauge will show full, upon fill up and the check engine light will go off but as the fuel level drops, the engine light comes back on and the fuel gauge starts to flip out, moving from full to empty and back to full again, it can show any amount of fuel at anytime. As several other owners have pointed out, isuzu is aware of the problem but will not fix the problem. All bet there is a solution to the problem, by replacing the sending unit, this involves dropping the gas tank and removing the fuel pump and replacing the sending unit. Unfortunately, this is not easy for the weekend mechanic who doesn't have the proper tools. I also have a oil problem. There are no leaks of the engine but about every 1500 miles, I use 1-2 quarts of oil. I have read several other complaints like this from other owners. Apparently, isuzu doesn't consider this an issue until it becomes a quart every 1000 miles. There is no apparent reason for the excessive usage, except for blow by or burning it in the cylinders. This is another issue that should be handled by isuzu, there is no reason why an engine, which I have owned and serviced regularly since new, should be burning oil like this. The tailpipe is clean and there is no smoke from the engine and as I have already stated there aren't any leaks to account for the loss of oil. This has been doing this since I purchased the vehicle. This is the second rodeo I have owned and the first never used any oil. I understand that some oil usage is normal but not every 1500 miles on a new engine.

Filed Oct 22, 2008 · Electrical, Fuel system · 79,000 miles · IL

I purchased a used 2001 isuzu rodeo sport in june 2005. The very next week I had to bring the vehicle back to carmax due to the check engine light appearing throughout the day. They insisted it was just my gas cap not working properly. My transmission had to be replaced not even 1 year after owning the vehicle. For the last year my check engine, transmission and cruise control lights appear when I hit a bump, then the vehicle completely dies out. This happens about 15 times a day. I've come very close to being hit by others many times due to this issue. I took the vehicle in to have it looked at & they said the diagnostic comes up as a fuel intake sensor issue. So I'm just very confused, the car dies out several times a day, usually when a bump is hit.. How could this have anything to do with the gas?? I've done a lot of research because I've dished out thousands to have this vehicle repaired over the last 2 yrs. Come to find out, I'm not the only one with this issue. There are several complains of this vehicle having defective wiring in the engine, leading to the car dying out while driving. I was just in shock. How could this issue not have been addressed years ago. Many of the complains include accidents being a major part of this issue. These cars are not safe and isuzu is aware. Why is the consumer to pay for the repair of a defect that is in the 2001 models.. Please read the articles on line about this vehicle. You won't believe how many complains about this issue there really are. This vehicle should not dye out while in motion... My children and I do not feel safe in this car and unfortunately I cannot afford to pay for the defect at this time. Please address this with isuzu. Thank you

Filed Apr 29, 2008 · Acceleration · 63,000 miles · RI

The cruise control and check engine lights come on after hitting a bump or just randomly and vehicle sputters and sometimes shuts off completely! We have almost been killed several times from the vehicle stalling out!this has been happening for about 5 months and no one could figure it out. I finally got an electrical specialist to figure it out and he said it is a short in the engine wiring harness and the harness needs to be replaced at a cost of around $1,600.00 he said it is a factory defect and isuzu should replace it. Isuzu refuses to do so even though there are numerous reports on the internet of the same problem, plus isuzu had a recall for the exact same issue with the wiring harness on the 1998 rodeo, yet they won't do anything. I am at the end of my rope. I now have a vehicle I still owe 2 years payments on and I can't safely drive it!

Filed Sep 16, 2005 · Electrical · GA

I purchased a 2001 isuzu rodeo sport at quality one autos on 03/05/2005. I bought the car with no warranty because I was told that the car was fine. The check engine light was on but they promised to repair that in which they did. But it was repaired a month and a half later which resulted in me getting a ticket for driving with no tag because I still had the temporary tag after 30 days. I went through 3 temporary tags. It took awhile for the dealership to purchase the part to take care of the check engine light. I called up there every week trying to get my car fixed and they always told me that they had to find the part and then it went to we ordered the part and we will call you when we get it. So finally my dad and I went up there because they did call me and told me that the part came in and when I got half way up there they told me that they didn't have it. So my dad and I went to the dealership and the guy hadn't ordered the part so we sat there while he ordered the part in front of us. Around 7/05 my car started to cut off while I was driving and also when I was idle it would stall and cut off several times and the check engine light would come on. This would happen 5-10 times a day. I almost got into a accident multiple times so I am scared to drive it now. So I took it to the isuzu dealership for them to look it and they told me that the wires were crossed and they corrected the problem but as soon as I got home it cut off again. I called the dealership and they told me to bring the car back and now they are telling me that the PCM went out and it will cost me $900.00 to fix. I went online to see if there were other consumers that were having or had the same problems I am experiencing. Dating from 94-04 there are multiple complaints which I have printed out about the same problems. Also the key sticks in the ignition and sometimes it wont come out and there are also complaints about that.

Filed Mar 17, 2004 · Fuel system, Visibility · AL

In 2003 I took my vehicle to the manufacturer because of a strong gas smell inside the vehicle. The dealership said there was a loose clamp on the fuel hose. The ECM was recomputerized because of rough idle and the motor would die usually when the air conditioner was on. It still had the gas smell inside the vehicle and now the gas gauges read empty and the gas light blinks no matter how much gas is in there. The check engine light comes and goes and the gas cap is clicked 3 times atfer I pump gas. Lately my gas mileage is terrible and with the strong gas smell in my vehicle I'm very concerned. I should not have this problem with a 2001 vehicle. Also the driver's side power window does not roll up properly. My real concern is with the gas situation.