NHTSA Complaint #10060323 — 1999 ISUZU RODEO

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. 81000 MILES AND NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY ANY LONGER. FROM RESEARCHING ON THE WEB AND THIS SITE, THIS APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON INCIDENT. I HAVE NEVER RECIEVED ANY NOTIFICATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIRECTLY RELATED TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE, AND THE COMPANIES (ISUZU/HONDA) HAVE DONE NOTHING TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND RISKS. I RECOMMEND AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE AND POSSIBLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR NEGLIGENCE.