1998 Isuzu Hombre Problems
- Complaints
- 53filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 53,500miles, 24 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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, 2.2L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Isuzu Hombre (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe windshield wipers that work intermittently or stop, especially in rain, and some link this to a wiper circuit-board recall that did not cover their year or VIN. Brake pedal and parking brake failures come next, followed by engine stalls while driving. The wipers often stop without warning and sometimes start again later, so the problem can come and go.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield wipers stop or work intermittently
- 24 complaints (45%)
- median 50,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (14 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2001–2011
Owners describe windshield wipers that work intermittently or stop completely, often while driving in rain, sometimes without any warning. Some say the wipers came back after a bump or after the wiring connector was moved, and some say they quit in heavy rain or on the highway. Replacement parts such as the wiring harness, wiper switch or wiper unit did not end the problem in some complaints, and several mention a wiper circuit-board recall that did not cover their model year or VIN. Reported mileage ranges from about 4,000 to 83,000 miles, and many complaints describe the failure at 50,000 miles or more.
What to check: Check the wiper motor wiring connector for looseness, and test the wipers at each setting in wet weather if possible. Ask whether the wiper circuit-board recall applies to this vehicle's year and VIN, since some complaints say it did not.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Windshield wipers failed in rain during hard downpour. I think the circuit board cracked liked the recalled chevrolerolet s-10s and chevrolet truck also made by GM.they recalled all chevy truck made at same plant as mine for wipers stopping.my hombree was made in USA by chevy. This is apox 100th time this has failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10061885, filed 2004-03, 5,700 miles“Windshield wipers began to work intermitently. No particular pattern back in november of 2002. My Isuzu dealer said that there was a recall in effect but only up to the 1997 model year for the Isuzu Hombre. The defect is the printed circuit board built into the windshield wiper assembly. The cost was over $80 to replace and that was because my brother who is a mechanic performed the repair after the Isuzu dealership service department diagnosed the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10025383, filed 2003-07, 24,000 miles - Brakes
Brake pedal or parking brake failures
- 8 complaints (15%)
- median 40,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2015
Owners describe brake pedals that go to the floor, sudden loss of braking after fluid leaked from a brake line, and a pedal that resists with grinding noise while the truck slows only gradually. Other complaints describe parking brakes that do not hold the vehicle on flat surfaces or small hills, or that fail to engage at times. A dealer reportedly said in writing that the parking brake is designed to prevent forward rolling rather than backward rolling, and some owners say the braking system was replaced without ending the problem. Only a few brake complaints give a mileage, at about 30,000 to 60,000 miles, and some describe the pedal or brakes failing suddenly while approaching a stop or driving at about 35 mph.
What to check: Have a mechanic check the brake lines, master cylinder fluid level and ABS operation before buying, and ask about any brake work already done. Test the parking brake on a slope, since some complaints describe it not holding on small hills.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The brakes suddenly failed as I approached a stop sign. I was able to stop the vehicle and cross the intersection safely. I looked under the vehicle and saw fluid leaking under the left front of the car. I looked at the brake master cylinder and it was empty. Since this occurred on a sunday I got the vehilce home and got it to the local Isuzu agent on the morning of december 31, 2001. They determined that the brake line to the left front disk brake had failed. The vehicle is still there since they couldn't complete the work on it today.”
NHTSA complaint #756249, filed 2001-12“On multiple occasions when going to stop at a light or stop sign, no matter what speed, the brake pedal gives resistance, it sounds like there is grinding of metal, and the truck does not stop instead it slows down until it reaches the stop. I have replaced the whole braking system yet the problem still occurs. It is a problem with the anti-lock braking system very similar to the recall made on the 1998 Isuzu rodeo.”
NHTSA complaint #10806607, filed 2015-11, 60,000 miles - Engine cooling
Engine stalls or shuts off while driving
Mentioned in 4 of 43 sampled complaints
Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, sometimes like a key-off shutdown, and in some cases it would not restart right away. Some describe the instrument panel lights coming on during the stall. Some complaints say a dealer or mechanic identified a shorted crankshaft position sensor, a camshaft sensor, or an ignition module that needed reprogramming. Only a few stall complaints give a mileage, at about 80,000 to 97,000 miles.
What to check: Ask for stored codes and repair records, including whether the crankshaft or camshaft sensor and the ignition module have been checked. On a test drive, check that the engine restarts reliably after a stop.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The consumer was driving, when all of a sudden the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. Please fill in additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10099181, filed 2004-11“Vehicle backfired several times and lost power while passing another vehicle on a two-lane road. Managed to maneuver to side of road. Engine would not restart. Had vehicle towed to an Isuzu dealer. Dealer identified the failure as a shorted crankshaft position sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #704406, filed 1999-03
Buying note. Anyone considering this model year may want to check wiper operation in rain, the brake and parking brake function, and any engine stall history. Asking whether the wiper circuit-board recall applies to the specific vehicle is a practical step, since several complaints say it did not cover their year or VIN.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 43 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Hombre. 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 53,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Brakes8 15%
- Engine cooling8 15%
- Air bags3 5.7%
- Electrical system3 5.7%
- Equipment3 5.7%
- Seats2 3.8%
- Body and structure2 3.8%
- Fuel system1 1.9%
- Steering1 1.9%
Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Dt: consumer had to replace the windshield wiper unit which cracked twice. She contacted the dealer and manufacturer, and was told that moisture got into the unit and caused the problem. The unit just stopped working with no warning. When replacing the switch the wipers didn't always come on.”
NHTSA complaint #10126285, filed 2005-06, 60,000 milesBrakes: “1998 Isuzu Hombre 4x4, 5spd, 4.3 liter there are multiple ares that need to be addressed. 1. The parking brake does not keep the vehicle from rolling backwards on even the smallest hills. 2. The passengers seat will not latch after it has been pushed forward then back into position. It must be slammed to get it to latch 3. The cooling system is inadequate. On hot days with AC on it will overheat while going up hills or going off road.”
NHTSA complaint #10003500, filed 2003-01, 40,000 milesEngine cooling: “Mechanics informed me 1) Isuzu is responsible; 2) Isuzu used chevrolet engine without informing me; 3) Isuzu has not responded since being notified on 2/24/2001”
NHTSA complaint #745765, filed 2001-05Air bags: “When driving down hill all lights on dash came on. When brakes were applied no lights were on. Vehicle had lost all power and was uncontrollable. Vehicle slid downhill into a tree stump and stopped. Airbags did not deploy. Dealer contacted and cannot remedy the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #835451, filed 1999-04Mileage when problems were reported
42% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 34,000 and 80,000 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 1998 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 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Hombre Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Hombre Pickup 4WD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
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
- 97V208002Nov 25, 1997Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodCovers: Isuzu Hombre 1998
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose vehicles. An engine electrical wiring-harness clip can melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold.
Recall details for the 1998 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. 7 on record; the latest 7 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…
- 10217004Jul 20, 2022Equipment, Engine cooling. The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle…
- 10217001Jul 20, 2022Equipment. The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend…
- 10137901May 9, 2014Fuel system. This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
- 10014786Jun 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Special policy adjustment catalytic converter and front exhaust pipe. *eh update.
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
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Isuzu Hombre?
Owners of this model year most often describe windshield wipers that work intermittently or stop, especially in rain, and some link this to a wiper circuit-board recall that did not cover their year or VIN. The issues reported most often: Windshield wipers stop or work intermittently; Brake pedal or parking brake failures; Engine stalls or shuts off while driving.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Isuzu Hombre have?
NHTSA recorded 53 consumer complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Hombre as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Isuzu Hombre is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 23 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 1998 Isuzu Hombre been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Isuzu Hombre get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Isuzu Hombre (Hombre Pickup 2WD, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 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 1998 Isuzu Hombre reported?
Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 53,500 miles and the middle half falls between 34,000 and 80,000 miles; 42% 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.