Here's why I think it's a myth: The VX received the same engine used worldwide in about seven-years worth of combined production Isuzu Troopers, Rodeos, Amigos, Axioms, light-trucks and even some commercial vehicles. The less than 5000 VX production run represented something like 2 or 3 percent, of which there have likely (no, I don't have "hard" numbers here) been less than 1% with engine failures related to something other than neglect or abuse. In the automotive world that's exceptional quality and reliability, period. Now, when we throw in the emotion of people we know here from our community then it becomes more of an impassioned issue that eventually, as it has, transcends into "the mythical engine deaths".

It is truly unfortunate to have happened to those of us here with a VehiCROSS, but it boils down to luck of the draw. No design flaw, no vast corporate conspiracy, just a VX gets assembled and the engine in the crate happened to have something that got missed in quality control. An undetected void in a casting, the inspector was too wrapped up in the latest manga, the engine was lubed during the fertility festival... Who knows, someone gets a truck with a bad mill. It's not good, it never is, but it happens and I wish I could wave my magic torque wrench so no VX would ever age, break or wear out. But they do, and that's part or why places like this forum exist. There are facts that must be presented sans the emotion so the VX can be validated on truth, and that truth is the engine is amazingly reliable and quite stout.

The 4L30E on the other hand, is an altoghether different story...