I purchased a brand new 02 Isuzu Rodeo two years before retiring from the military in 04. From day one I've had problems with this vehicle (dead battery first day, rust behind seat, hoses ripped apart in engine compartment, electric seat doesn't work sometimes, cruise doesn't work sometimes, sometimes stalls, engine light came on, engine pings and the biggest problem is a bad clock spring in the steering that controls the airbag).
Of course I met the requirements for the lemon law, but I tried using every option prior to obtaining an Attorney (went thru dealership, was even willing to trade, went thru manufacture, went thru BBB, filed lemon law, then optained an Attorney). Isuzu would not budge.
We ended up in court where the judge would not let us have a jury. The entire time, the Judge was on his laptop Instant Messaging someone. I don't think he paid much attention. My Attorney used the Magnessun-Moss Warrenty Act. I LOST to Isuzu. The Judge even granted that I pay Isuzu their Attorney fees, which came to over $30k. My Attorney is appealing this and actually, the appeal date was 9 Mar 05, but takes awhile before a decision is made.
I clearly paid too much for a brand new vehicle that had this many problems. Isuzu replaced the defective clock spring several times before stating the problem was normal. It is not normal to hear a loud grinding type noise every single time one steers. Friends who have Rodeo's, don't do it. The rental they gave me ONE time didn't do it. And I don't know anyone who has a car where every single time you turn the steering wheel, you hear a grinding noise because the clock spring is defective. The airbag may or may not deploy in an accident. The vehicle doesn't have a good resale value so I'm stuck with it right now. It's not worth what I paid for. Isuzu even lied in court. Hopefully honesty will prevail in the end.
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