Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo, and it carries 5 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 | 16 | 14% |
| Power train | 16 | 14% |
| Wheels | 9 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 7% |
| Visibility | 8 | 7% |
| Structure | 7 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 6% |
| Steering | 7 | 6% |
| Suspension | 6 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE RUSTING ON THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLU
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WIRE HARNESS DETERIORATED DO TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, ROUTED TO CLOSE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT AND DISABLING BOTH TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 78K MILES ON IT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
GAS PEDAL BECOMES STUCK AND ACCELERATION CONTINUES. ACCELERATOR CABLE FROM PEDAL TO THROTTLE IS BECOMES STUCK OFTEN. I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE GAS PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT TO FREE UP. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE REAR OF VEHICLE FROM 1997 TO PRESENT. DEALER COULD NEVER LOCATE SOURCE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH ,UNINSPECTABLE, MOUNTS ON FRAME ARE VERY WEAK. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU RODEO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING OIL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 94V132000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). HE CA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
REAR DRIVERSIDE TIRE (BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A) ON AN ISUZU RODEO RAPIDLY SEPARATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER 1-1/4 TIMES. ROOF OF THE VEHICLE CAVED IN AS WELL AS THE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS, THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MID-DECEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO
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.
THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.
AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CONTAIN MANUFACTURING ERRORS.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CHARGING OF THE VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR, RESULTING IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, AND/OR EVENTUAL ENGINE STALL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH A NEW REGULATOR.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 85 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 16 of them (14%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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 71/100. 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.