1998 Isuzu Amigo
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 78 |
| 1999 | 70 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
23% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING WET WEATHER OF WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030331
WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT, MOSTLY ON HILLS, THE ABS STARTS UP AND ALLOWS MY CAR TO FREE WHEEL FOR ABOUT 10 TO 20 FEET BEFORE BRAKING BEGINS AGAIN. I AM NOT LETTING UP ON THE PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 19990313
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19981210
9% of complaints: visibility — 7 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY5% of complaints: fuel system, other — 4 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW RIGHT AND LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS.
Campaign 98V111000 — check if this car was fixed
SUNSHADE RETAINER FAILURE
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 LEA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V170000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOUR SUNSHADE HOLDERS AND RE-BOND THEM TO THE SUNROOF GLASS.
Campaign 98V260000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
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 LOW
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.
Campaign 00V058000 — check if this car was fixed
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS E
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER
Campaign 01I002000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDU
Campaign 02I002000 — check if this car was fixed
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, VERM
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 WHI
Campaign 12V306000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Isuzu Amigo — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V111000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V170000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V260000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V058000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01I002000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02I002000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V306000 (suspension) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 1998 Isuzu Amigo reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Isuzu Amigo?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Amigo have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.