Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Isuzu Rodeo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving 70 MPH on the interstate, my SUV (1999 Isuzu Rodeo) began make significant noise and lost all engine power immediately. After being towed to local mechanic, I was informed the engine had been blown because of a lack of oil. Documented records show that 5 quarts were replaced 6 weeks ago (2500 miles). The oil has been changed regularly approx every 3000 miles, even though recommendation from the manufacture suggest changing every 7500 miles. There has not been any severe driving conditions that would explain the rapid oil consumption, and the majority of the miles are highway miles. There was no warning light from the oil pressure gauge prior to disaster, no history of previously documented rapid oil consumption, and no indication of an oil leak. Estimates have ranged from $6000-$8500 for a refurbished or new engine. This is a leased vehicle with approx. …
I would like to place my complaint on the Isuzu company. I have (had) a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo lx with 78,000 miles on it. I have had it serviced regularly oil changes etc.ever since I hit 40,000 miles my check engine light has came on and will not go off, my gas gauge went out saying I am always on empty (500.00 to fix) and now at only 78,000 miles my engine has blown!!!!! $4,500.00 worth of damage. My story has a lot more to it but I cannot write it all. I toke it in several times to the Isuzu service center in austell georgia to eddie and told them something was wrong with the truck. It had a gas smell to it the check engine light was on and it was running sluggish. Mind you I was still under warranty. Each time they found nothing wrong until after my warranty was up!!!!!!! I have been doing research on this vehicle and have found that 100's of people have had the same problem. …
I have had the same problem every year with my air conditioner. The compressor has been replaced every time, twice last year with in 3 months of each other. They have replace the following parts as well gaskets, dryer, valves and cooling clutch. Now I have it in the shop again today. They could not find anything wrong at first except that I was low on freon and they said I should be adding each year. This is not right. Now they tell me they found a bad o ring that goes to the hose off the dryer from the air conditioner. I have to pay $100 for the extended warranty charge. I don't think I should even have to pay this.
Coming back from ohio, the oil light briefly went on. There was no indication whatsoever aside from the oil light coming on for a few seconds that a big problem coming up. A few minutes later the engine was making a knocking sound. We try to drive it to a nearest gas station to get it check out. Unfortunately it was Sunday and no mechanic was available. We oil change our vehicle every 3-4K miles so we have no reason to believe that it would be an oil problem. We tried to drive it but the engine just died on us. The car only have 66K miles on it and now the car is worthless.
After only having my Rodeo for a few months my ABS went bad but it was replaced by the dealer under warranty. Then shortly after that the warranty ended and gas gauge would read empty but it was full, next I have to add oil to my car every two to three days because it burns oil really bad no leakage or nothing like that. Now I have started adding anti-freeze the same amount of time. There are major tranmission problems with this car and from reading the internet it's not just my car it's Isuzu.
The antilock brake system indication light illuminated and anti-lock brakes do not function. Check the message boards on the internet and you will see alot of these problems with the same make and model vehicle. Also the EGR valve problem where the vehicle clogs with carbon build up causing the check engine light to illuminate intermittenly and the vehicle stalls out. The problems happen to enough of the same make and model vehicles that there should be a recall.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the engine. The vehicle then shut off without warning. The mechanic stated that the timing belt was defective. The dealer stated that the vehicle was excluded from recall # 01i002000 (engine and engine cooling:engine). The contact felt that his vehicle should be included. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.
Engine light sporadically came on, but would always go off before we could get the car to a shop. Took car to dealership to diagnosis, but could not find a problem. Took car again to same dealership and they replaced the A/C thermostat switch. 3 months later after the warranty expired by 2 months, the engine light came on permanently. On-board diagnositic code of p1404 says the EGR valve is stuck open.
Orginal valve stem seals malfunctioned. Excessive amounts oil entered combustion chamber causing accumulation of abnormal amounts of carbon deposits which raised temperature in comubustion chamber leading to pre-ignition / detonation which ruined the engine. Cost over $7,500 to replace engine that was only 4 years old and had been driven less than 75,000 miles under normal operation.
At about 65,000 miles, the engine has been burning 1/2 quart of oil every 200-300 miles. Not leaking onto the ground and do not see in the exhaust. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) light comes on and off when going over bumps. The ABS sensor connection on the rear axle is always loose. Gas gauge not reading proper level. Have been through 5 in-dash cd changers.
Engine complaints in other Rodeo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo, 9% of the model year's 550 complaints. The component named most often is engine (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Isuzu Rodeo engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1999 Isuzu Rodeo, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Isuzu Rodeo engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.