Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 22 | 22% |
| Air bags | 8 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 8% |
| Structure | 7 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 6% |
| Visibility | 5 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 4% |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 C
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 AC
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1996 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.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 85 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 99 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and wheels is the most reported area with 22 of them (22%). There is 1 recall 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 1996 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 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.