1995 Isuzu Rodeo

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

71/100

Worth a look

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

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Wheels	26	13%
Service brakes	19	9%
Structure	18	9%
Engine and engine cooling	17	8%
Air bags	17	8%
Electrical system	16	8%
Power train	14	7%
Visibility	12	6%
Tires	12	6%
Suspension	9	4%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

THE CLUTCH IN MY VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AND WITHIN 3 MONTHS IT HAS AGAIN FAILED. I HAVE LOST COMPLETE USE OF MY VEHICLE AGAIN DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES AND THE CLUTCH FAILING
NHTSA complaint: Power train

THE FRAME OF THE 1995 ISUZU RODEO HAS THREE SIX INCH BYE SIX INCH HOLES IN FRAME TWO IN THE REAR AND ONE IN THE FRONT, THE ENTIRE FRAME IS NO THICKER THEN A PIECE OF PAPER BECAUSE ITS ROTTED TO NOTHING. YOU CAN PUSH THRE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

I PURCHASED VEHICLE FOR MY 16 YR OLD TO DRIVE AND FOUND OUT AFTER GETTING IT THAT THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH THE RODEO THAT IT IS RUSTED OUT BY THE SHOCKS ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure

WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE WE WERE TOLD THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RUST DAMAGE TO THE FRAME. IT COULD NOT BE FIXED AND AS A RESULT WAS NOT WORTH PUTTING MUCH MONEY INTO THE CAR. TODAY WHEN WE TOOK IT TO A DIFFER
NHTSA complaint: Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 ISUZU RODEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST AROUND THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR
NHTSA complaint: Structure

I TOOK MY 95' ISUZU RODEO TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR NEW SHOCKS AND STRUTS. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE MECHANIC CAME IN THE WAITING ROOM AND SAID HE COULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST AND THAT THE C
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

PURCHASED A 1995 ISUZU RODEO IT IS TIME FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO THE FRAME IS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES, RUSTED AND HAS HOLES THROUGH OUT FRAME. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure

1995 ISUZU RODEO 4 WHEEL DRIVE LS- REAR FRAME ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, MANY M STRESS CRACKS IN FRAME. MECHANIC ADVISED TO PARK THE RODEO AND NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. BROUGHT HOME AND SAND BLASTED AND ADDED LOTS OF NEW STEEL TO F
NHTSA complaint: Structure

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator 97V034001

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.

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	80	excellent
Longevity est.	78	good
Maintenance	85	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	56	average
Efficiency	35	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 28% of other
Longevity: better than 38% 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 80: 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 78: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1995 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 1995 Isuzu Rodeo?

Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and wheels is the most reported area with 26 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1995 Isuzu Rodeo reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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 1995 Isuzu Rodeo last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1995 Isuzu Rodeo?

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.