NHTSA Complaint #10146296 — 2001 ISUZU RODEO

ON 12/27/2005, OUR 2001 ISUZU RODEO STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. AFTER TOWING IT TO CREST ISUZU IN PLANO, TX, THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE COST OF REPAIR (LABOR INCLUDED) IS $1,300. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN (MECHANIC), HE INFORMED ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ISUZUS AND THEY HAVE YET PLACED A RECALL. HE INFORMED ME THE WIRING HARNESS CONTROLS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, WHICH TELLS THE ENGINE HOW MUCH GAS/ACCELERATION IS NEEDED. IN OTHER WORDS, THE THROTTLE CONTROL CAN TELL THE ENGINE TO "GUN IT" WHEN THE DRIVER IS BRAKING. ACCORDING TO ALLDATAPRO.COM, BULLETIN #IB00-04-S006 REFERS TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, HOWEVER, WITH NO MENTION OF THE WIRING HARNESS. AS STATED EARLIER, HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT ISUZU WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE UNLESS ENOUGH AFFECTED CONSUMERS COME FORWARD TO REGISTER THEIR COMPLAINTS. PER ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, THIS IS A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT. PRIOR TO THIS FINAL INCIDENT ON 12/27, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATION; HOWEVER, IT QUICKLY DISAPPEARED AND WE THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. *JB