1997 Isuzu Hombre Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 57,250miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre. The part named most often is visibility, with 13 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine cooling (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the motor filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 12%
- Engine cooling3 12%
- Vehicle speed control2 8.0%
- Electrical system1 4.0%
- Fuel system1 4.0%
- Body and structure1 4.0%
- Suspension1 4.0%
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The consumer stated the windshield wipers were on recall. Consumer stated that dealer won't honor recall. The consumer was told that part was not available. After many phone calls, the dealer sent someone to pick up the vehicle and have it repaired. Recall# 03v210000”
NHTSA complaint #10031802, filed 2003-09, 46,500 milesBrakes: “Brakes have failed at six other times, the last being 10/22/99. I had to cross 4 lanes of traffic to avoid a collision. All the manufacturer and dealer want to do is tell me to buy another vehicle or that they can't fix it without it happening to them without admitting responsibility. They stated, to take the brakes apart and look at them would be an admission of quilt .”
NHTSA complaint #714013, filed 1999-10Engine cooling: “Consumer was complaining about fans that split and break apart. This occurred on three separate occasions. Fans were being replaced every 30,000 miles to 40,000 miles. Manufacturer replaced the radiator, but would not replace the fans or the fan clutch. 1997 Isuzu Hombre experiencing problems with engine fan and engine fan clutch. When consumer was driving home from the dealership the fan fell off the front of the engine. Dealer told consumer that the fan fell off because the tension pulley broke. …”
NHTSA complaint #10050005, filed 2004-01Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,500 and 95,895 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1997 Isuzu Hombre version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hombre Pickup 2WD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 03V210000Jun 2, 2003Visibility › Rear window wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Isuzu Hombre 1996–1997
On certain pickup trucks with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
- 97V146002Sep 11, 1997Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Isuzu Hombre 1997
Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
- 97V096002Jun 12, 1997Seat beltsCovers: Isuzu Hombre 1997
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or…
Recall details for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10237146May 8, 2023Other or unknown. This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this…
- 10218932Aug 30, 2022Equipment. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers…
- 10218927Aug 2, 2022Equipment. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers…
Other model years of the Isuzu Hombre
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 | 80,514 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 53 | 53,500 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 25 | 57,250 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 37 | 87,990 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Isuzu Hombre model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Isuzu Hombre is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 13 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1997 Isuzu Hombre been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Isuzu Hombre (Hombre Pickup 2WD, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Isuzu Hombre reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,250 miles and the middle half falls between 23,500 and 95,895 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.