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1996 Isuzu Rodeo problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo is wheels. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical Rodeo model year.

Typical year2.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
97
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
19
Worst area
Wheels
Fuel economy
15-18mpg

The worst 1996 Isuzu Rodeo problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Wheels
    22
  • Engine
    14
  • Airbags
    11
  • Body
    10
  • Brakes
    10
  • Suspension
    7
  • Visibility
    7
  • Acceleration
    5
  • Electrical
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Transmission
    5
  • Locks
    3
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Lights
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo

No deployment 7ABS 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo 19

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 19 bulletins for the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo

1996 Isuzu Rodeo fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.6L 4‑cylRWD172018
3.2L 6‑cylRWD14-151715-16
3.2L 6‑cyl4WD14-151715-16

What 1996 Isuzu Rodeo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 18, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · PR

Takata recall inesperadamente se activo la bolsa de aire del chofer quemando los brazos y la barriga de mi esposa , ella sintio un olor fuerte a cable quemado penso que venia del exterior y saco su cara hacia fuera , y casi en el instanta exploto la sbolsa yo sali corriendo y la vi llena de un polvo blanco y sus brazos quemados ,damos gracias a dios que tenia la cara por la ventana , de lo contrario le huviese quemado el reostro ,el vehiculo estaba parado despues de dar riversa

Filed May 27, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 153,213 miles · IN

The frame of this vehicle is rusted excessively and is deemed by qualified mechanics as not roadworthy. All other parts of the vehicle work properly and the vehicle still looks great.

Filed Jun 6, 2012 · Body · 166,000 miles · MN

Effective part: the 2 main frames are rust out and could break at anytime. We believe one of the reasons why the frames are deteriorating is from salt during the winter. Do to the company bad framing.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Body · NH

The frame of my 1996 isuzu rodeo is completely rusted out. When searching online, I found that this is a very large issue that isuzu is having. There are several other testimonials stating that their isuzu rodeo's frame is rusted away, and they have less then 100,000 miles on it. My rodeo has 110,000 miles, but has probably been rusted out some time ago. There is absolutely no reason that a frame to any manufactured vehicle should be rusted out around 100,000 miles. Many, many other components to the car should be going bad well before the frame rots out. There are hundreds of thousands of other cars in the world that are literally decades older, and do not show nearly as much frame rust. Isuzu used very low quality, non-resistant metal to make the frame, and it has already injured/killed many people. Isuzu recognized there problem, and made a recall on the rodeo's for years 1998-2002. The same material was used in all rodeo's several years before 1998, however, they limited there recall to only 5 years to cut down exposure and costs of repair. That is absolutely ridiculous! There are 1996 and 1997 rodeo's rotting out around 80,000 miles. What? Why? That is absolutely criminal! This recall should include all rodeo's that experience this same problem, which is pretty much all of them. Not just years 1998-2002. My frame has large holes in it, and can be broken by hand. This should not be happening for easily another decade. Can something please be done about this, before more people get hurt.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Body · NH

The frame of my 1996 isuzu rodeo is completely rusted out. When searching online, I found that this is a very large issue that isuzu is having. There are several other testimonials stating that their isuzu rodeo's frame is rusted away, and they have less then 100,000 miles on it. My rodeo has 110,000 miles, but has probably been rusted out some time ago. There is absolutely no reason that a frame to any manufactured vehicle should be rusted out around 100,000 miles. Many, many other components to the car should be going bad well before the frame rots out. There are hundreds of thousands of other cars in the world that are literally decades older, and do not show nearly as much frame rust. Isuzu used very low quality, non-resistant metal to make the frame, and it has already injured/killed many people. Isuzu recognized there problem, and made a recall on the rodeo's for years 1998-2002. The same material was used in all rodeo's several years before 1998, however, they limited there recall to only 5 years to cut down exposure and costs of repair. That is absolutely ridiculous! There are 1996 and 1997 rodeo's rotting out around 80,000 miles. What? Why? That is absolutely criminal! This recall should include all rodeo's that experience this same problem, which is pretty much all of them. Not just years 1998-2002. My frame has large holes in it, and can be broken by hand. This should not be happening for easily another decade. Can something please be done about this, before more people get hurt.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Body, Suspension · 150,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 isuzu rodeo. The contact stated that excessive rust was building up under the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v436000 (suspension:rear) but the year of the vehicle did not comply with the recall. The contact believed that the manufacturer should extend the recall to later model vehicles as the failure was concurrent with the failure. 150,000. Updated 9/16/11 *cn the consumer also stated the gas tank leaked due to the rusting of the vehicle. The gas tank supports rusted out and the frame was crumbling from the rust. The mechanic informed the consumer the vehicle was beyond repair. Updated 11/02/11

Filed Mar 1, 2011 · Body · 111,000 miles · NY

Hi, I own an isuzu rodeo s v6 (year 1996) and after having some problems with the fuel pump my mechanic alerted me about an advanced rusting deterioration on the structural frame of the car. Not only the body of the car is rusted but the fuel line pipes as well. The break fluid pipe broke two years ago due to rusting but fortunately I was able to stop the car by reducing gears. The rest of the car is in great condition (mechanically, electrically, etc) and it is a shame that in vital parts of the car isuzu used cheap/non-resistant material.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Acceleration · 125,000 miles · MO · crash

I pressed on the gas pedal and the throttle cable didn't return to idle when I let off the pedal. The brakes would not stop the vehicle nor would pressing on gas pedal. Turning off the ignition is the only way to stop acceleration. I drove out of control through two peoples yards before coming to this conclusion.

Filed Oct 25, 2010 · Airbags · 149,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 isuzu rodeo. The vehicle was involved in a head-on collision traveling 35 MPH. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 149,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2010 · Suspension · 189,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 isuzu rodeo. The frame was corroded and covered with rust. After a routine maintenance check the contact noticed that the frame underneath the vehicle was corroded and covered with rust. The dealer was contacted and informed him that there was a recall but his year, make and model vehicle was not included. The manufacturer confirmed that his year, make and model vehicle was not included in the recall. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 189,000.

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Questions about the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo

Is the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

Owners have filed 97 complaints about the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo, 2.5 times a typical Rodeo model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo?

Wheels, with 22 complaints. Next is engine (14).

How many recalls does the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Isuzu Rodeo have bad wheels?

The Isuzu Rodeo model years with the most wheels complaints are 1995 (27 complaints), 1996 (22 complaints) and 1997 (14 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Isuzu Rodeo range from 15 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.6L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 20 highway.

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