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1991 Isuzu Rodeo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Rodeo.

Body SUV

The 1991 Isuzu Rodeo is a compact SUV that represents the second model year of a vehicle line that would span from 1991 to 2008, and with 58 total owner complaints logged against it, the 1991 sits toward the lower end of the model's complaint history when compared to the peak of 579 complaints recorded in 1999, suggesting that early production years avoided many of the issues that would plague the model later in its lifecycle; the Rodeo's most frequent problem area over its lifetime was the Power Train system, and the 1991 model carried 2 recalls, a figure that frames it as a relatively mature product entry in its first generation while still reflecting the durability challenges common to this era of Isuzu utility vehicles.

Model year2003 2002 2001 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	176.4 in
Overall width	66.5 in
Overall height	65.4 in
Wheelbase	108.7 in
Curb weight	3497 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 in the differential, GM Part No. 12377967 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	GM Part No. 12377967
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.8 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	5W-30
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	3.2 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 7,500 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cruise Control System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 90,000 mi	Oxygen Sensor (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Isuzu Rodeo enters the federal record with 58 complaints, two recalls, two investigations, and eight TSBs — a modest footprint that positions it as one of the cleaner model years in a generation that deteriorates sharply after 1995. Complaints more than double to 100 in 1992 before dipping to 39 in 1993, then climb steadily toward a 1999 peak of 579, with recalls and TSBs following a similar escalation. The 1991 top complaint categories — Power Train (13), Engine & Engine Cooling (12), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (7), and Seat Belts (5) — reflect early-production drivetrain and braking concerns rather than the broader systemic issues that emerge later. Notably, 17 fire complaints and two crash complaints appear in the 1991 data, though the records do not specify root causes for either. Compared to the 1998–2001 surge where annual complaints routinely exceed 290 and TSBs surpass 50, the inaugural year shows markedly lower regulatory activity. For a buyer prioritizing federal complaint history, 1991 represents a relatively favorable entry point in this generation, provided the specific Power Train, cooling, and brake items are verified as resolved on any candidate vehicle.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 17 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 58 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train13

Engine & Engine Cooling12

Service Brakes, Hydraulic7

Seat Belts5

Electrical System5

Structure4

Unknown Or Other2

Visibility2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E065000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

91V118000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 12/07/1991

THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL GAUGES (DIP STICKS) INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT TO DESIGNED SPECIFICATIONS. THE GAUGE INDICATES THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID SHOULD BE ADDED WHEN IT IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL. Remedy: REPLACE OIL LEVEL GAUGE AND NOTIFY OWNERS TO USE ONLY THE SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
IB13-R-001G	2023-05-08	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the…
WB08-X-001I	2023-05-03	Equipment	This bulletin provides instructions with regard to the Isuzu Commercial Vehicle (CV)…
WB13-X-001B	2022-08-30	Equipment	Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
WB13-X-001A	2022-08-02	Equipment	Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
SB0012S002	2000-03-01	Equipment	THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES THE DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rodeo. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 1991 Rodeo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.