Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1994 Isuzu Rodeo: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo, most recently filed October 2002. Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1994 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 02V281000 Filed Oct 15, 2002

ISUZU/TAKATA SEAT BELTS

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
Repair progress not yet reported14,449 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V281000
Listed for 1994 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V034001 Filed Mar 7, 1997

ISUZU/ALTERNATOR

Electrical system · alternator/generator/regulator
Official NHTSA text
Summary
AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITHIN THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CAN CONTAIN MANUFACTURING ERRORS.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported118,485 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V034001
Listed for 1994 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V170002 Filed Sep 17, 1996

ISUZU/TAKATA SEAT BELTS

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
Repair progress not yet reported36,075 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V170002
Listed for 1994 Isuzu Rodeo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 94V132000 Filed Jul 19, 1994

ENGINE:CAMSHAFT (8/82)

Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
Repair progress not yet reported122,297 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V132000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (82)

82 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

6involved a crash
1involved a fire
13injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 82.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1994 compares with other Rodeo years

Best and worst Rodeo years →
1991199219931994199519961997199819992000
This year (1994)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined

16
mpg combined
15
city
18
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,200
CO₂ tailpipe
555 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles

What it costs you to run

$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year

Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1994 Isuzu Rodeo configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 17 / 16$4,200555
3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 17 / 16$4,200555
3.2 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 17 / 16$4,200555
3.2 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1994 Rodeo for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Rodeo years

Where to next

1994 Isuzu Rodeo FAQ

How many recalls does the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 02V281000 (seat belt), 97V034001 (electrical), 96V170002 (seat belt), 94V132000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1994 Isuzu Rodeo problems?

Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (15), Engine and engine cooling (14), Electrical system (13) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1994 Isuzu Rodeo get?

EPA rates the 2.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 15 city, 18 highway and 16 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1994 Rodeo compare with other years?

Among the 1991–2000 Isuzu Rodeo model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (34) and the 1999 the most (550). The 1994 drew 82. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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