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Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD

1998 Isuzu AmigoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Amigo. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (19) and engine and engine cooling (15). The EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2012
Owner complaints
77
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 29, 2012NHTSA 12V306000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 3, 2002NHTSA 02I002000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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 EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE TIMING BELT COULD BREAK BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Engine and engine coolingReported May 29, 2001NHTSA 01I002000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

77 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 1998 – Aug 2020
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  2. Engine and engine cooling15
  3. Fuel system, gasoline7
  4. Air bags6
  5. Visibility6
  6. Fuel system, other5
  7. Structure4
  8. Electrical system4
  9. Steering4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Amigo model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199877
199970
200010
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

19 reports5 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2014Service brakes, hydraulic, StructureODI 10622284

Engine and engine cooling

15 reports
“1998 ISUZU AMIGO WITH 95000 MILES HAD THE OIL PUMP SHELL OUT DESTROYING THE CRANK AND BLOCK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH CLEAN OIL AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2006Engine and engine coolingODI 10149171

Fuel system, gasoline

7 reports
“VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT STOPS OR WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE TURNS. AT WHICH POINT, POWER STEERING IS IMPOSSIBLE AND THIS PRESENTS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED IN 11/2002, RECURRED IN 05/2003, BOTH TIMES, THE DEALER RECTIFIED PROBLEM.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2004Fuel system, gasolineODI 10062219
All 1998 Amigo problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Amigo 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182220$3,200444
Amigo 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182119$3,400468
Amigo 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
161917$3,800523
  • Amigo 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    18 city · 22 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Amigo 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    18 city · 21 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Amigo 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    16 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Isuzu Amigo as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Amigo questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Amigo have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Isuzu Amigo problems?

Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (19), engine and engine cooling (15), fuel system, gasoline (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Isuzu Amigo get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Isuzu Amigo at 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026