Isuzu Amigo Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 179 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Isuzu Amigo (1990–2000) that have at least 5 complaints. 1998 has the most, with 78. Across all years, the part named most often is brakes (46 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Amigo model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 | 45,000 | 1 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 70 | 107,000 | 2 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 78 | 95,000 | 5 | 6 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 5 | — | 2 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 6 | 91,070 | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 5 | — | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 5 | — | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Brakes46 29%
- Engine cooling27 17%
- Body and structure21 13%
- Suspension19 12%
- Fuel system18 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain11 6.9%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)10 6.3%
- Vehicle speed control8 5.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1999: “While driving down the road at 30 MPH, with three children ages 2, 8, and 11, in the vehicle the rear suspension gave out n broke thumping along the road, as my steering wheel veered to the right, yet my vehicle remained going straight without being able to be controlled. My mechanic was able to get the car the one mile to my home going at a speed of 5mp or less as there was no wheel control. …”
NHTSA complaint #10479965, filed 2012-10, 144,586 miles1998: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10356044, filed 2010-09, 102,973 miles1992: “Throttle cable stuck on my 1992 Isuzu Amigo. Fortunately, it was while starting up and the car was in neutral. The second time this happened I called Isuzu and they said there was no recall associated with this so I took car to local repair shop and had the throttle cable replaced (parts 31.25 labor $82.50 = $113.75 total). I then found the NHTSA campaign id 04v99000 associated with the 1992 Isuzu trooper. Ours is a 1992 Isuzu Amigo. By chance, are these speed control cables similar?”
NHTSA complaint #10145157, filed 2005-12, 91,070 milesOther Isuzu models
2,476 complaintsIsuzu Trooper
573 complaintsIsuzu Ascender
205 complaintsIsuzu Axiom
157 complaintsIsuzu Hombre
122 complaintsIsuzu Rodeo Sport
106 complaintsIsuzu Vehicross
68 complaintsIsuzu Pickup Truck
56 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology