Problems · NHTSA complaints
1998 Isuzu Amigo problems
Owners filed 77 complaints about the 1998 Isuzu Amigo with NHTSA between May 1998 and Aug 2020. The most-cited component is service brakes, hydraulic (19).
Complaints
77
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Fuel system, gasoline7
- Air bags6
- Visibility6
- Fuel system, other5
- Structure4
- Electrical system4
- Steering4
- Power train4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Suspension2
- Tires2
- Service brakes, air2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
15
6
10
5
17
7
2
2
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1999 | 15 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes, hydraulic
19 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Engine and engine cooling
15 reports1 related recall
“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”
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”
Air bags
6 reports6 crashes
“THE CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND LANDED NOISE FIRST, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *JB”
Visibility
6 reports1 related recall
“WHEN DRIVING ON WET PAVEMENT AND UPON MAKING A NORMAL STOP, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO, GAS TANK HAS SEPARATED FROM BOTTOM OF VEHICLE, CAUSING A FUEL LEAKAGE, SUN ROOF COVER DOESN'T STAY INTACT, AND SEAT BELT AND GAS PEDAL STICK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK *ML”
Fuel system, other
5 reports
“FUEL GUAGE HAS STOPPED REPORTING THE LEVEL OF FUEL CORRECTLY. IT CAN BOUNCE ANYWHERE FROM A 1/4 TO 1/2 A TANK OFF OF WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK.*AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.