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Isuzu - Miscellaneous Problems

Isuzu • Engine failure • Timing belt • ABS failure • Other problems ---- • Isuzu Surrenders; Will Leave U.S. • Isuzu Fading to Black?

Chad of Cantonment FL (6/6/03):
My 1999 Isuzu Rodeo cought fire in a parking lot at a ballpark. The Rodeo had been parked at 9:30 am and had caught fire at 2:30 pm. After investigation by the insurance company, it was determined without a doubt that the Cruise Control Module, located under the center console, had failed. The Cruise Control Module caught fire along with the associated wiring harness and burned the majority of the front interior of the Rodeo. The fire smoldered out due to lack of oxygen because the windows were up and no ventilation was available.

When I contacted American Isuzu Motor Corp. to let them know about the Cruise Control Module failure and that it had spontaneously caught the Rodeo on fire, I was told by the representative that there was nothing I could do because the part was no longer under warranty. I asked if Isuzu was interested in at least an investigation, he said no.

David of Irvine CA (4/10/03):
Our 2002 Isuzu Axiom was parked at my wife’s secure parking structure at her place of employment and she received a call from the security office from the property management company stating that the rear window of the car had exploded out into the driveway of the structure and they were cleaning up the glass.

The car has just over 32,000 miles on the odometer and we took the vehicle into the dealer were we purchased it and immediately were told that the glass would not be covered by the warranty. I had told the technician that the glass clearly was faulty and under normal operating conditions, rear windows don’t just explode out. I read the warranty manual and could not find were the manual excludes glass from being a warrantable item and could not find it. I left several messages with customer service, and when they finally got back to me, they told me to make a claim with my auto insurance carrier.

During the phone conversation, I was given every excuse why they would not repair the window. At one point I was told that the window must have been shot out with a pellet gun.The window cost of replacement is $526.00

This is a fairly standard occurrence which is almost always covered by insurance. It's not worth fighting about.

Mark of Grapevine, TX (10/3/02):
Purchased Isuzu Trooper and am getting at best 13.29 mpg, the sticker states 17. Have taken to two different dealers shops (Manuel and Buz Post) in Fort Worth area. The stickers on the windows are deceptive for I would not have purchased the car if the mileage would have been correctly stated. Also know (now) that Isuzu's in general do not get mileage as stated. How can Isuzu get away with this?

Nick of Jacksonville, FL (9/28/02):
Last April 16, 2002, we purchased a NEW 2002 Isuzu Axiom. On June 28, 2002 with 3205 miles on the vehicle, we found a rust spot on passenger side door and 2 rust spots at the weep hole of the back lift door. We reported this situation immediately to the service department of the dealership where we bought the vehicle from who set us up for an appointment with the District Service Manager (Mr. Dale Downing).

On July 3, 2002 Mr. Downing took pictures of the rust spots and that was the last time we've heard from him. Mr. Haskin had us take the vehicle for repair estimates on the vehicle. On Aug. 1, 2002 Sharon talked to dealership's Gen. Mgr. and she informed him that we bought a new car but didn't want a rust bucket and she asked him if he was in our shoes would he buy it? He replied NO! Sharon told him that we want another vehicle, no more no less. To this day, we haven't heard from him either. The vehicle has not been repaired either.

We paid almost $25,000.00 for this rust bucket? I am damn mad that these people had not made any effort to right a wrong. I executed my end of the bargain/contract to pay for it. It's their turn to give me a new vehicle without any rust!

If Nick thinks Isuzu will do this voluntarily, he is naive. He should consult an experienced trial attorney immediately.

Larry of Magalia, CA (2/21/02):
I bought a new 1995 Isuzu Rodeo. The dealer said it was manufactured in Japan and assembled in Indiana, USA. That sounded good to me, so I paid good money for Japanese and American quality. However, when the door lock actuator jammed and I took it apart to fix it, I found that the culprit was a melted miniature motor with the words "Made in Taiwan" stamped in it. Had I known that they used such low quality parts in this car, I may not have bought it. Is it legal for car (or any product) manufacturers to say their product is made in one place, yet use parts from somewhere else, especially cheap junk parts from Taiwan or China?

I think it should be disclosed to the consumer where all parts are made, right down to the wiper blades and hoses, even if the list is three pages long. To top it off, they charge $135.00 for a replacement actuator that, in my book isn't worth the plastic and tin it's made of. Please let me know how they get away with this deceiving practice.

I now have two door lock actuators that don't work and the other two ocasionally stick. I don't plan on replacing junk with overpriced junk, but if I did, it would cost $135.00 x 4 =$540.00 for about $4.00 worth of Taiwan made garbage. I don't expect compensation for this. I'm just frustrated and want to voice my opinion as an American consumer.

So-called "manufacturers" are really assemblers. They would buy parts made on Jupiter if they were cheaper than those from China.

Mark of San Jose, CA (12/7/01):
Paint on my '98 Rodeo starts to show milky spots on the hood, roof and rest of the chassis is discolored. Car has 59K miles, color supposed to be radiant red but now each part of the car has a different color. I have met Isuzu rep Mr. Chambers and he offered me to pay half of the cost of repainting hood only and sent me to body shop for estimate.

Well I went to 4 body shops and I was told that car left factory with a faulty paint.Somehow the paint reacts with primer under the clearcoat and develops whiteish milky spots. Car needs a full paint job because each part of the chassis has a different stage of paint detoration. After the second "look" by Mr. Chambers and after 2 letters and 3 months of waiting finaly I got a fax from Isuzu. Isuzu wrote they are offerring me $1000 for a paint job. I can not accept that -- the car is only 3 years old and probably in next year or two paint will come off by itself.

Resale value of the car dropped, appearance of the car went down. I have opened already a case in Small Claim Court to either get a car painted by American Isuzu Motor Corp. or get reimbursed for a paint job $5,000.

Mark is doing the right thing. Small Claims is the right place for disputes of this kind. Good luck to him.

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