Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Isuzu Rodeo, and it carries 2 recalls. 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 13% |
| Wheels | 5 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 8% |
| Tires | 3 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 8% |
| Visibility | 3 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SMELLING GASOLINE, INVESTIGATION SHOWED GAS TANK WAS RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT FINGERS COULD BE PUSHED INTO TANK. ALMOST ALL OF IT WAS LIKE THIN PAPER MACHE. REPLACED TANK AND ONE YEAR LATER THE GAS FILLER TUBE ALSO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, AND EVERY SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACKFIRING, AND IT EVENTUALLY STARTED DRIVING REALLY SLOW. IT ALSO SMOKES FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SMELL OF THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I HAVE A 1993 ISUZU RODEO THAT STARTED LEAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL ONTO THE MANIFOLD. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A VALVE COVER GASKET SEAL AND REPLACED IT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS COMING FROM THE REAR CAMSHAFT MO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MAKE:ISUZU MODEL:RODEO YEAR:1993 CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V132000 DEALER SAID THAT I WAS NOT ON THERE DATA BASE. BUT MY ISUZU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM; OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM SHAFT AND THE OIL IS LEAKING ON TO THE HOT EXHAUST SYST
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #94V132000 WHICH IS FOR A RECALL ON 1993 ISUZU RODEOS. I CALLED AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP IN MY AREA AND TOLD THEM 1993 ISUZU RODEO IS HAVING THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED BY THE RECALL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT REAR END. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INSPECT VEHICLE, AND NOTICED WHEEL AND AXLE BROKE OFF FROM AXLE HOUSING. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY ENGINE JUST "DIED" IN AUGUST 2000. BEST CHEVROLET AND ISUZU IN HINGHAM MA SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW OR REBUILT ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 1993. I DID
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE DRIVING WIRING HARNESS SHORTED OUT, AND THEN SOON AFTER CONSUMER PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 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.
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.
CONSTANT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSES THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE CAMSHAFT.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL CAMSHAFT END SEAL PLUG RETAINER PLATES.
| Reliability raw | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 83 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 85 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 5 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. 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.