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1998 Isuzu Amigo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 78 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

78 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2005
Tires

I WAS TRAVELING S/B FRY 99 AT KIMBERLINA RD, JUST NORTH OF BAKERSFLELD CALIF. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROX 70 TO 75 MPH. AT THIS TIME I HEARD A LOUD "THUD" AGAINST THE LEFT DOOR OF MY 1998 ISUZU AMIGO, THE TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND HAD STRUCK THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE TYPE OF…

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I WAS TRAVELING S/B FRY 99 AT KIMBERLINA RD, JUST NORTH OF BAKERSFLELD CALIF. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROX 70 TO 75 MPH. AT THIS TIME I HEARD A LOUD "THUD" AGAINST THE LEFT DOOR OF MY 1998 ISUZU AMIGO, THE TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND HAD STRUCK THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE TYPE OF TIRE ON MY VEHICLE IS A BRIGESTONE DUELER. THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE ESTIMATES ARE BETWEEN $1700 TO $2100 DOLLARS. THE TREAD PUT THREE DENTS ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, BROKE OF THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR, BROKE THE BUMPER, KNOCKED THE LEFT FRONT FENDER OUT OF LINE, DAMAGED THE MUG GUARDS AND OTHER PROTECTIVE SHIELD UNDER THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE,& I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A SLOW STOP ON A VERY ACTIVE FAST ROADWAY. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE AND FILED A CONSUMER COMPLAINT I COMPLETED THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK AND SENT THEM PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I ALSO ACQUIRED THE ESTIMATES AND SENT THEM MY TIRE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THEY HAVE SINCE REJECTED MY COMPLAINT STATING THE SEPARATION WAS MY FAULT CAUSED MY LOW TIRE PRESSURE. I DISAGREE. THIS TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS TIRE WAS THE SPARE AND HAD ONLY APPROX 5 TO 7000 MILES ON THE TIRE. MY VEHICLE RECEIVES REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY ROTATED. THE TIRE PRESSURE IS CHECKED / BALANCED AND THE PRESSURE CHECKED. I PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO TAKING THIS TRIP. ALL I ASK IS THAT I AM REIMBURSED FOR THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED TO MY VEHICLE AND MY TIRES BE REPLACED WITH A MAKE/BRAND OF MY OWN CHOOSING. I HAVE EFFECTED SOME OF THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDE THE TIRE, AND MIRROR THESE ARE NECESSARY TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BRIDGESTONE TIRE IN ORDER STAY CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE WITH THE BRIDGESTONE PRODUCTS I WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. TO INCLUDE THE SPARE.

NHTSA ODI #10118307

101,660 miles · May 6, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

TO START OFF I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE TIMING BELT. I JUST HAPPEN TO FIND IT MYSELF ON THE INTERNET DOING A SEARCH FOR RECALLS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ISUZU AND HAD 2 OF THE RECALLS FIXED. (TIMING BET "BELT KIT" AND REAR AXLE "BOLT KIT") THIS WAS ON FEB, 5 2003 AT 88803 MILES. ON APRIL, 30 2004 AT 101660 M…

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TO START OFF I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE TIMING BELT. I JUST HAPPEN TO FIND IT MYSELF ON THE INTERNET DOING A SEARCH FOR RECALLS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ISUZU AND HAD 2 OF THE RECALLS FIXED. (TIMING BET "BELT KIT" AND REAR AXLE "BOLT KIT") THIS WAS ON FEB, 5 2003 AT 88803 MILES. ON APRIL, 30 2004 AT 101660 MILES I WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND TO THE AIRPORT AND THE CAR DIED AT A TURN. "IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD" NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR FAILED AND IT WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I WAS THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN BAD GAS "WATER IN THE GAS" DUE TO THE FACT I HAD JUST FILLED UP 15 MILES PRIOR. TO SUM IT ALL UP THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AS IT WAS IN SHREDS. (PART IS STILL AVAILABLE IF NEEDED) NOW $226.00 + RENTAL CAR OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ALREADY FIXED? I ONLY DROVE 12,857 BEFORE IT GAVE OUT AND WAS TOLD YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE A TIMING BELT BUT EVERY 60,000 MILES. . THIS SEEMS TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 98 AMIGOS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT! PS. CONTACTING ISUZU CUSTOMER RELATIONS TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER AS I FEEL I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS.*SKL

NHTSA ODI #10068426

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES RELEASE ON 1998 ISUZU. ALL 4 BRAKES RELEASE SUDDENLY IF ONE WHEEL HITS BUMP AND SKIPS. PLASTIC SIDEWALL BY GAS PEDAL CATCHES INSIDE SHOE AND PREVENTS QUICK MOVES FROM GAS TO BRAKE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067540

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10066996

77,882 miles · Mar 15, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT STOPS OR WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE TURNS. AT WHICH POINT, POWER STEERING IS IMPOSSIBLE AND THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED IN 11/2002, RECURRED IN 05/2003, BOTH TIMES, THE DEALER RECTIFIED PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062219

117,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY FELL OFF ----- THE SECOUND TIME------ COOLING FAN SUPPORT BOLTS BROKE. ALUMINUN HOUSING AT BOTTOM OF SUPPORT BROKE-OUT. COOLING FAN CLUTCH BROKE. FAN BELT TORE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058240

115,055 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY SUPPORT AND FAN FELL OFF WHEN DRIVING. COOLING FAN SUPPORT BROKE IN HALF, COOLING FAN SUPPORT BOLTS BROKE, FAN BELT TORE, PARTS OF THE ALUMINUM HOUSINGS OF MOTOR CRACKED AND BROKE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058237

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2004
Fuel System, Other

FUEL GUAGE HAS STOPPED REPORTING THE LEVEL OF FUEL CORRECTLY. IT CAN BOUNCE ANYWHERE FROM A 1/4 TO 1/2 A TANK OFF OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052458

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN DEC. 2000 REQUIRING MY PAINT TO BE REPLACED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. WHEN THEY MATCHED THE PAINT TO THE COLOR BY ISUZU IT WAS WRONG . ALL THE INSIDE DOORS ARE RED BUT THE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE IS PURPLE. I TRIED MANY TIMES TO GET ISUZU TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FADED PAINT …

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I OWN A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN DEC. 2000 REQUIRING MY PAINT TO BE REPLACED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. WHEN THEY MATCHED THE PAINT TO THE COLOR BY ISUZU IT WAS WRONG . ALL THE INSIDE DOORS ARE RED BUT THE PAINT ON THE OUTSIDE IS PURPLE. I TRIED MANY TIMES TO GET ISUZU TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FADED PAINT BUT THEY WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS. OR LETTERS. I AM NOW APPROACHING THE FIVE YEAR MARK. MY POINT IS FEB.29,2000 THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT MECHANICALLY THEN THERE WOULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BODY PAINT ALSO. WHO CAN I CONTACT TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM? TERI JEFFRIES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10041387

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2003
Electrical System

CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE STORE, CAME OUT OF THE STORE, AND TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. HE CALLED A MECHANIC, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED, ALONG WITH THE FUSE BOX. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10039826

Official recalls

5

12V306000 · Suspension:rear

Jun 29, 2012

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 AMIGO AND MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 RODEO SPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WEST VIRGINIA, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, AND KENTUCKY. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN THE VICINITY OF THE FORWARD MOUNTING POINT BRACKET FOR THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EXCESSIVE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AREA. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH LITTLE OR NO CORROSION IS FOUND, THE AREA WILL BE TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSIVE COMPOUND. FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, ISUZU WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE FOR AN AMOUNT BASED ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK “PRIVATE PARTY” PRICE. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING JULY 2012. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

00V058000 · Suspension:rear

Mar 2, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. PAINT WAS APPLIED UNEVENLY ON THE REAR AXLES, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT PAINT HARDNESS. SHOULD THIS OCCUR ON THE SURFACE THAT CONTACTS THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK BRACKET BOLT HEAD AND/OR NUT, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.

98V260000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Oct 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUNROOF SUNSHADE. THE PRIMER APPLIED TO PREPARE THE SURFACE PRIOR TO BONDING THE SUNSHADE HOLDERS TO THE SUNROOF WEAKENED THE BONDING STRENGTH OF THE ADHESIVE, RESULTING IN AN UNSATISFACTORY BOND OF THE HOLDER TO THE SUNROOF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HOLDER, CAUSING THE SUNSHADE TO FALL, POSSIBLY STRIKING A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOUR SUNSHADE HOLDERS AND RE-BOND THEM TO THE SUNROOF GLASS.

98V170000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Jul 24, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. A GROUND CONNECTION TERMINAL WAS NOT PROPERLY CRIMPED IN THE SUPPLIER'S ENGINE WIRING HARNESS MANUFACTURING LINE. THIS IMPROPER CRIMPING PROCESS CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A STRESS FRACTURE. S

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A TERMINAL IS FRACTURED, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) CAN RECEIVE AN ERRONEOUS SIGNAL INDICATING A HIGH VEHICLE SPEED, THEREBY CAUSING THE PCM TO CUT THE FUEL, CAUSING A 'NO-START' CONDITION, OR A POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.

98V111000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

May 26, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE STRENGTH OF THE REAR SEAT BELT SHOULDER ANCHORAGE IS NOT TO DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS AND DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW RIGHT AND LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA99008 · Braking System/abs

Opened Mar 31, 1999 · Closed Jul 31, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

PE98046 · Sunshade Retainer Failure

Opened Aug 19, 1998 · Closed Oct 28, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE INTERIOR SUNSHADE FOR THE SUNROOF DROPPED ONTO THEM WHILE DRIVING THEIR VEHICLE