IllustrationAUTOMATIC 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 AND WIRE COVERING/INSULATION SHOULD NOT BE LITERALLY BURNED AWAY WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
1994 Isuzu Rodeo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 89.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rodeo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 18 of 82 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
13 reportsABOUT TWO DAYS AGO THE POWER WINDOWS ON MY RODEO SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING SO WE TOOK THE CONTROL OUT THINKING THAT MAYBE THE WIRES VIBRATED LOOSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHEN WE REMOVED THE CONTROL THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CONTROL OR THE WIRING THAT WE COULD SEE BY JUST LOOKING AT IT SO WE OPENED THE FUSE BOX THAT IS UND…
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ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO THE POWER WINDOWS ON MY RODEO SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING SO WE TOOK THE CONTROL OUT THINKING THAT MAYBE THE WIRES VIBRATED LOOSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WHEN WE REMOVED THE CONTROL THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CONTROL OR THE WIRING THAT WE COULD SEE BY JUST LOOKING AT IT SO WE OPENED THE FUSE BOX THAT IS UNDER THE DASH AND FOUND THE FUSE THAT CONTROLLED THE WINDOWS. THE POWER WINDOW FUSE IS A LARGE BOX LOOKING THING(NOT A REGULAR FUSE) WITH A RED BUTTON IN THE MIDDLE THAT WAS POPPED OUT SO WE PUSHED THE BUTTON BACK IN AND THE WINDOWS BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. AFTER USING THEM FOUR OR FIVE TIME JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY WORKED WE TURNED OF THE IGNITION AND DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. TODAY WHEN WE STARTED THE TRUCK EVERYTHING WAS FINE THEN AFTER LETTING IT RUN FOR 5-10 MINUTES I WENT TO GET INTO IT AND THE INSIDE WAS FULL OF SMOKE WE IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE TRUCK AND THEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL ON THE DOOR WE REMOVED THE CONTROL AND THE WIRES WERE MELTED PRETTY BAD. WE THEN LOOKED IN THE FUSE BOX TO SEE IF THE FUSE HAD POPPED AGAIN AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE HAD STARTED BURNING AND WAS MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX. WE TRIED TO REMOVE THE FUSE AND BECAUSE IT WAS SO BADLY MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX IT CRUMBLED WHEN WE TRIED TO REMOVE IT. WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT TO ANYONE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT IS SATURDAY AND THE DEALER ISN'T OPEN TODAY. *NM
MOTOR STAYS OVERHEATED.*AK THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND BYPASS HOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES, VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES HESITATION. CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF NOISY BRAKES, ROTORS WERE GLAZED, ROTORS, PADS, AND SEALS WERE REPLACED, BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE. BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED. VEHICLE LURCHES …
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MOTOR STAYS OVERHEATED.*AK THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, AND BYPASS HOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES, VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCES HESITATION. CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF NOISY BRAKES, ROTORS WERE GLAZED, ROTORS, PADS, AND SEALS WERE REPLACED, BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE. BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED. VEHICLE LURCHES INTO REVERSE, FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING AND CAUSED LONG CRANK, ALL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED. REAR DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE DUE TO LATCH STICKING. *SLC ALSO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE.*JB
CONSUMER HAS OWNED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES ALREADY, BUT IS REOCCURRING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WATER RUNNING DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR AND CORRODING THE LOCKING CONTROLS, DEALER INSTRUCTED CONSUMER TO…
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CONSUMER HAS OWNED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED 3 TIMES ALREADY, BUT IS REOCCURRING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WATER RUNNING DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR AND CORRODING THE LOCKING CONTROLS, DEALER INSTRUCTED CONSUMER TO LUBRICATE THE DOORS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS TO KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM REOCCURRING, HOWEVER 7-8 MONTHS LATER PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, DEALER STATES THIS IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. RADIO HAS HAD INTERNAL FAILURE, SPEAKER HAS SHORTED, AND LIGHTER DEFORMED, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SLC
THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V034001) BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT IT DOESN'T APPLY TO OUR VEHICLE. WE HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM THUS FAR AND WE STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
ALTERNATOR REGULATOR OVERCHARGED, CAUSING MAJOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN VEHICLE. DAMAGE WAS $2,000. ISUZU INDICATED 1994 ISUZU RODEOS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT OUR VIN WAS NOT WITHIN RECALL. I MAINTAIN THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CONFINED TO THOSE
I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ALTERNATOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE. OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES INCURRED. INOPERABLE HATCHBACK WINDOW POSES SERIOUS POTENTIAL HAZARD. *AK
HARD START PROBLEMS
OIL LEAKS FROM THE CAMSHAFT.
SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT REGISTER , ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENLEY COME ON, VEHICLE WILL ALSO STALL, CAUSING POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *AK
Official recalls
402V281000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Oct 15, 2002
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070.
97V034001 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Mar 7, 1997
AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CONTAIN MANUFACTURING ERRORS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CHARGING OF THE VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR, RESULTING IN ENGINE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, AND/OR EVENTUAL ENGINE STALL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH A NEW REGULATOR.
96V170002 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Sep 17, 1996
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.
94V132000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Jul 19, 1994
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL CAMSHAFT END SEAL PLUG RETAINER PLATES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2RQ02009 · Seat Belt Latch Failures
Opened Apr 11, 2002 · Closed Dec 17, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Seat Belts
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Seat Belts
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
SQ96009 · Brush/grille Guard Campaign
Opened Jan 10, 1996 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ADDITION INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SUBJECT BULLETIN.LOSS OF AN ITEM THIS SIZE WOULD HAVE SAFETY COSEQUENCES.THIS SQ IS OPENED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.