1992 Isuzu Rodeo

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Isuzu Rodeo, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	20	20%
Engine and engine cooling	13	13%
Service brakes	11	11%
Seat belts	9	9%
Electrical system	7	7%
Tires	5	5%
Visibility	5	5%
Steering	4	4%
Wheels	4	4%
Vehicle speed control	3	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

THERE IS CONSIDERABLE FRAME ROT/RUST ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FROM WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS HOUSED. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

THROTTLE STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. AS I WAS DRIVING AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE THROTTLE STAYED DOWN CAUSING THE RPM TO REDLINE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. IT CONTINUED IN OTHER GEARS AS WELL. APPARENTLY, I NEED TO HAVE A
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control

HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX] I LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE AND I OWN A 1992 ISUZU RODEO 4X4 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS ISUZU RODEO HAS GONE THROUGH 4 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE PAST 1 YEAR AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL M
NHTSA complaint: Power train

VARIOUS CAR DEFECTS CONSTANTLY, WITH MAJOR REPAIRS MADE, UNTIL DATE AS OF 2003. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP FIRE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE FUEL PUMP BRACKET SHORTING OUT.*JB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON HWY 64 FROM VA BEACH TO NORFOLK, VA, MY RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF PROBLEM EXCEPT WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. MY PICK-UP WAS TOWED TO A TEXACO GAS STATION FOR T
NHTSA complaint: Tires

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1992 Isuzu Rodeo. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Exterior lighting 06E065000

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT

Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	85	excellent
Longevity est.	80	excellent
Maintenance	85	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	56	average
Efficiency	33	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 45% of other
Longevity: better than 52% of other
Running costs: better than 94% of other
Value retention: better than 48% of other

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 85: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 80: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1992 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 85: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1992 Isuzu Rodeo?

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 20 of them (20%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1992 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1992 Isuzu Rodeo last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1992 Isuzu Rodeo?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.