Piston rod failure. The first incident occurred in or about January, 2003. The engine on my 1998 Isuzu Rodeo began making a loud clanking noise and the "check oil" light came on. I added a quart and the noise subsided. I had the oil changed the next day. A few months later, the noise returned and I added two quarts of oil. The noise did not subside and I took the vehicle in for its regularly scheduled oil change the next day. The oil change mechanic told me that there were only two quarts of oil in the engine. I took the vehicle to another local mechanic to repair the problem and he told me the no. 1 piston rod had failed. When he called his parts distributor for a quote on a new or rebuilt engine, the distributor said, "'98 Rodeo engine? let me guess, it's the no.1 rod" and stated that this was a very common problem. I had the car towed to the Isuzu dealer where I had purchased the car and had almost all regular maintenance and repairs performed. The dealer was unable to get the Isuzu district manager to offer any "good faith" assistance. The car has approximately 64,000 miles on it. I have generally changed the oil every 3,000 miles, although Isuzu recommends changing it every 5,000 miles. I have full service records and almost all maintenance (except for some oil changes) was done at the dealer.

- Beverly, MA, USA

Consumer states that the vehicle had an oil issue, the dealer stated that an oil change was needed, however consumer had just had an oil change 3 days prior to this.

- South Bend, IN, USA

When ever vehicle comes to a stop engine will die. Consumer has contacted dealer, and they were not able to duplicate the problem. Consumer was afraid of being rear ended.

- Brenham, TX, USA

After driving for over 200 miles vehicle began to stall out on exit ramps. Isuzu has been contacted. The vehicle stalled many times when shifting to lower gear to bring it to a stop after highway driving. Dealer is unable to find the cause.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

The engine of the vehicle has stalled several times in normal driving environments including highway and city street. These incidents that have happened while I am applying brake to slowdown the vehicle due to traffic conditions or changing course to another predetermine direction. Occasionally, when I apply brake to slow down the vehicle due to traffic conditions, the tachometer indicates engine rotates abnormally. The engine's speed surges. At times when engine idles at extremely low RPM, it stalls.

- Alameda, CA, USA

While driving at 55 mph highway speed vehicle started jerking until it stopped by itself, and consumer was unable to accelerate.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

When driving consumer heard a noise coming from the engine compartment. Engine check light never came on the dash when vehicle cut completly off. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer stated engine needed replacing.

- Springfield, OH, USA

When stopped at a light or stop sign truck idled and it felt like it would die. Check engine light came on. Took to dealer first time they could not duplicate problem. The next week was on tollway stop and go traffic again it felt like the truck would die and again the check engine light came on. Took to dealer again. Thet ran the car for 2 hours straight and drove car for 8 miles. Could not duplicate problem. The truck only had 10875 miles. Since that time has not happened again.when I stop the truck at lights sometimes it seems like the engine rmps go up and down and truck wants to die but the engine light has not gone on. Regarding the brakes one time when I first bought the car was driving 30 miles and hour to a stoplight. It felt like the brakes had no grip immediately. Took foot of brake and reapplyed and the truck stopped. Has not happened again. At the time I thought maybe this truck has a different feel than a car would have. This is my first SUV. I have recently heard on the news about brake problems on this particular model. I drive children around in this car and have become very cautious at intersections. I feel there is a problem with this truck that can cause serious injury. I'm very concerned about my family's safety and about the people I could potentially hit if the brakes went out. I called the dealer to ask about information regarding this problem and was rudely told they had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. Any information about either of these problems would be greatly appreciated. Also I read there was a recall involving paint on the bumper being a problem. Have heard nothing from the dealer regarding this. I am very dissapointed with this vechicle. I am 42 years of age and have never had a vechicle I was afraid to drive.

- Morton Grove, IL, USA

Invoices list parts replaced as: Purge control solenoid valve, solenoid valve, purge canister, convertor purge solenoid, purge canister. Reported to Isuzu and dealer. Neither think failure 5 times is a problem. Want us to just 'wait and see if it happens again'. quote from Isuzu when trying to resolve problem: "the area/zone manager doesn't need to be involved right now. Let's just see if it happens again. As long as the dealer is fixing it under warranty, it's not a problem".

- Spokane, WA, USA

No summary

- Alameda, CA, USA

Very dissatisfied with vehicle, feel extremely endangered in driving vehicle

- St. Louis, MO, USA

The vehicle was being operated at 65 mph under cruise control for a continuous period of three hours in broad daylight. A rainstorm was encountered and the vehicle's exterior lights and windshield wipers were engaged. After approximately three minutes of such operation, the engine and all electrical components suddenly ceased. The same situation occurred the following day (July 10, 1999). A similar complete shutdown occurred in December, 1998 and the vehicle was taken into the dealership for inspection. The vehicle was also inspected by the dealer on July 13, 1999. In each of these inspections, the dealer advised that the source of the problem could not be determined. The initial incident in December, 1998 occurred while driving at night during a severe snowstorm at 35 mph and resulted in being forced onto the shoulder of the road without any lights/power. The latest two incidents occurred in daylight but at high speed on an interstate highway. One of the two recent incidents was a very near miss as a 16 wheel tractor trailer was following about 200 feet behind when all power was unexpectedly lost.

- Chester Springs, PA, USA

2 times vehicle left me & my 6 year old twins stranded on dark dangerous hwys. On 2nd engine- and now possibly 2nd transmission? 1-28-99 incident scary- smoke and burning smell. All of sudden-no warning. SUV rolled to stop on pavement, unable to shift into any gear. Had to allow grade of road to roll me backwards in N off the pavement and into dirt shoulder to safety. SUV out of service to date-23 days. Dealer does not know what is wrong-can't indicate problem. No one hurt, yet.

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA