Where did I get my information on
1. Oil leaks. Use above search button.
2. Alternator problems. Use above search engine.
3. Anti-Lock Brakes: Search NTSB, Isuzu Tech bulletins (finally out), and above search button.
If you find no search returns to any of these, I'll take the time to help. If it wasn't clear, I'm not saying ALL Isuzu's are bad, but they have a higher rate of problems compared to the more expensive vehicles in the same class. Honestly, if I said Kia had lower prices and more problems than Isuzu, would the responses be like this?

JD Power: How they work, rank, what they do (and please note it's INITIAL quality, not long-term durability):
http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/auto.jsp (many links to explain on that page and sub-pages)
Rankings:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001-05-17-jdpower.htm

I'm going to turn this one around:
Build quality in Sabaru plant: Mine was a conjecture, as stated. Oleg stated "What I've read so far is that, according to the internal Isuzu's statistics, their NA factory has LESS claims." I tried Isuzu and Isuzunewsbureau.com, as well as their marketing page and one japan page I have. No luck. Please tell me where you get your references, including where Sabaru ranks high in quality.
2003 Study: http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/releases/search.asp?CatID=1
Scroll down to: 2003 Initial Quality Study
Having lived in New England, I know that people swear by their Sabaru's (and even remember the song "Makin' Love In A Sabaru....")

I agree with Consumers Union/Consumers report being biased and I'm glad you're alternator has been fine. MOST are. But again (see #2 above), it appears there's an ABOVE AVERAGE problem with them shorting out in water. Electricity + Water = not good. Add road salt and there's an INCREASED PROBABILITY of problems due to the alternator being placed low.

Again, I go back to this: In many non-related surveys by many organizations with good reputations, Isuzu is NOT at the top of quality surveys. Resale prices have been bemoaned on this board (USE THE SEARCH BUTTON, AOBVE). North America sales dropped from 127,630 (1986) to 30,000 (2003). Either there's a huge world-wide cospiracy against Isuzu, or the quality on Isuzu's is not as high as, say, Honda or Toyota.

This does not make Isuzu bad! I find their VALUE and trade-off to be excellent and like Isuzu's. I (just me) find Toyota's SUV's to be overpriced for the level of quality you do get. Many consumers disagree with us.

When you go to the middle of nowhere, which vehicle you will use ?
Pointless question. If it's in the no roads, my Amigo, of course--I only have one 4x4! Unless you're talking middle of nowhere on curvey roads, then it's my motorcycle. Or middle of nowhere, rainy, and few gas stations--then I'd want a Toyota Prius. Or if it was middle of nowhere muddy--I'd want to borrow 33bogger's ride. If it's middle of nowhere Iraq-Talil run, I want a Hummer with the extra plates welded on, and the 101st around me.

In general, Isuzu is a good vehicle which a good price-point value and acceptable risk in terms of quality/chance of breaking down. I like it. I plug it to my friends. I'm going to get another. It's my opinion, and not a popular one (otherwise sales would be higher).

YMMV.