The 1998 Isuzu Amigo has 5 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (21 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints78filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Suspension › Rear
NHTSA recall 12V306000 · Jun 29, 2012 · 14,756 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ÂPRIVATE PARTYÂ 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.
Suspension › Rear
NHTSA recall 00V058000 · Mar 2, 2000 · 213,736 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THE BOLT COULD DETACH FULLY, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LINK FROM THE REAR AXLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE LOWER LINK JOINT NUT AND BOLT.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
NHTSA recall 98V260000 · Oct 20, 1998 · 9,377 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HOLDER, CAUSING THE SUNSHADE TO FALL, POSSIBLY STRIKING A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ALL FOUR SUNSHADE HOLDERS AND RE-BOND THEM TO THE SUNROOF GLASS.
Problem: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
NHTSA recall 98V111000 · May 26, 1998 · 3,044 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: THE REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW RIGHT AND LEFT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Amigo 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Amigo 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Amigo 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
21
6
0
5
2,866 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
18
0
0
0
101,660 mi
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly
7
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system
7
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
6
6
0
3
—
Fuel system, other Storage › Fuel gauge system
5
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk; Ignition
5
1
0
0
—
Structure Frame and members; Body › Hood
5
0
0
0
120,000 mi
Power train Clutch assembly; Automatic transmission
4
0
0
0
—
Steering Rack and pinion; Hydraulic power assist system
4
1
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
3
0
0
0
—
Tires Tread/belt
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 3, 2020 · 166,000 milesStructure › Body REAR TRAILING ARMS OF VEHICLE RIPPED OFF FROM THE FRAME AND CAUSED THE REAR AXLE TO DRIVE UP UNDER THE VEHICLE. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN OF HIGHWAY. FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION AND INSUFFICIENT WELD OF CONTROL ARM BRACKET.
Aug 14, 2014 · 120,000 milesStructure › Frame and members TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIUS ARM BRACKETS, CROSS MEMBERS, AND BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V306000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION UNTIL THE FRAME WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE RADIUS ARM BRACKETS AND WELDED THE FRAME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Feb 8, 2013Suspension TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V306000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON AUGUST 3, 2013. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ONLY BEEN ONE WEEK AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED FAILURE.
Dec 18, 2011 · 173,000 milesSuspension › Rear TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR END SWAYED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LOWER LINK BRACKET WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V436000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000. UPDATED 02/01/12*LJ
Sep 3, 2010 · 102,973 milesStructure › Frame and members MY 1998 ISUZU AMIGO (WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW) IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE REAR END OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT SO BAD THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. I AM TOLD IT IS NOT FIXABLE. WHEN I ACCELERATE THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND I CAN'T CONTROL IT. I DON'T HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK. I HAVE BORROWED 4 DIFFERENT CARS JUST TO SURVIVE. *TR
Feb 22, 2008Structure › Body › Roof and pillars I HAVE A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO, THERE WAS ONE RECALL ON THE SUN VISOR; BUT, THE SOLUTION ISUZU INSTATED IS SHORT TERM AND DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SUN SHADE DOES NOT REMAIN IN PLACE AND HAS DROP DOWN AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED ISUZU AND ALL THEY DO IS KEEP GLUING THE ANKER BRACKS TO THE GLASS ROOF AND THEY KEEP LOSING ADHERISION AND FALL OFF. *TR
May 24, 2007 · 107,000 milesTires › Tread/belt TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU AMIGO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE'S TIRES, BUT THE TIRES REMAINED INFLATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER TIRE WAS COMPLETELY WARPED. THE TIRES WERE DOMINATOR ALL SEASON. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000. UPDATED 08/16/07. *JB
Feb 10, 2006 · 76,000 milesEquipment › Appliance › Air conditioner DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING RATTLED CONSTANTLY FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WHATEVER WAS RATTLING MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA99008 · opened Mar 31, 1999 · closed Jul 31, 2002 · led to recall 02I002000BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS There is no summary currently available
PE98046 · opened Aug 19, 1998 · closed Oct 28, 1998 · led to recall 98V260000SUNSHADE RETAINER FAILURE CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE INTERIOR SUNSHADE FOR THE SUNROOF DROPPED ONTO THEM WHILE DRIVING THEIR VEHICLE