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: 1 of 21 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.
Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reports
100,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 ISUZU STYLUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START FOR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 ISUZU STYLUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START FOR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SPRAYED ANTI HEAT SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD, CAUSING EXCESSIVE SHRINKAGE OF THE BOARD DURING THE SUMMER AND WINTER WEATHER. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SHRINKAGE CAUSED THE STRUTTER TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10735875
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE IDLED POORLY, IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN. POWER STEERING WENT OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099294
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2004
Electrical System
1991 ISUZU STYLUS ECM FAILURE; FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR FAILS TO START. HAS LEFT WIFE STRANDED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS, TO THE POINT OF MANDATING CHANGES IN MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES, I WOULD LIKE EITHER GM OR ISUZU TO MAIL ME THE REPLACEMENT. *…
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1991 ISUZU STYLUS ECM FAILURE; FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR FAILS TO START. HAS LEFT WIFE STRANDED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS, TO THE POINT OF MANDATING CHANGES IN MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES, I WOULD LIKE EITHER GM OR ISUZU TO MAIL ME THE REPLACEMENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10093784
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2002
Electrical System
THE ECU IS 500 DOLLARS AND THE DEALER WONT FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE VIN # NOT BEING CORRECT. I JUST WANT IT FIXED BECAUSE I DONT HAVE 500 DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE ECU THAT WAS A RECALLED PART.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760300
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2001
Electrical SystemCrash
VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO UR HOUSE AT 7:30 AM NO KEYS, NO ONE AROUND, WE HAVE VIDEO OF IT AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. NO SAFETYD EFEC TLISTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754441
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR SURGES WITHOUT WARNING WHEN IDLING. THIS APPEARS SPORADICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. IF THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD AND STALL. IF NOT ENGAGED, THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REV'S VERY HIGH. AT TIMES THE ENGINE IDLES HIGH FROM START CONSISTENTLY FOR 5 OR MORE MINUTES AFTER STARTING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER …
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THE CAR SURGES WITHOUT WARNING WHEN IDLING. THIS APPEARS SPORADICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. IF THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD AND STALL. IF NOT ENGAGED, THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REV'S VERY HIGH. AT TIMES THE ENGINE IDLES HIGH FROM START CONSISTENTLY FOR 5 OR MORE MINUTES AFTER STARTING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED OR NOT. WHEN THE ENGINE REVS HIGH, THE CAR LURCHES AND DRIVES ERRATICALLY WHEN IN MOTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER ISUZU STYLUS OWNERS WHO REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT THIS IS AN ECU ISSUE AND THAT THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED, AS IT IS A DESIGN FAULT.
NHTSA ODI #746821
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2001
Electrical System
VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. BRAKES WERE ON AND VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. OWNER HAD STARTER REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #890150
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Electrical System
THE ECU IN THE CAR HAS BLOWN THE ORIGINAL AND A REPLACEMENT MOTOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #741956
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXPERIENCED ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE WAS REVVING AND DROPPING, DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE ALMOST DYING. MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS SHORT IN ECU
NHTSA ODI #730967
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
MY REGULAR MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT STALLED AGAIN. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND IDLE HIGH AND THEN STALL. IF I PRESS THE GAS AND KEEP THE CAR REVED UP IT WILL EVE…
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MY REGULAR MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT STALLED AGAIN. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND IDLE HIGH AND THEN STALL. IF I PRESS THE GAS AND KEEP THE CAR REVED UP IT WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN TO REGULAR IDLE, BUT SOMETIMES STILL STALLS.*AK
THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Remedy: A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
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
1
EA95009 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
1991 Isuzu Stylus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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