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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

1999 Isuzu AmigoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 70 owner complaints for the 1999 Isuzu Amigo. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (18) and suspension (17). The EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–20mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2012
Owner complaints
70
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

70 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1999 – Dec 2019
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic18
  2. Suspension17
  3. Structure15
  4. Engine and engine cooling5
  5. Fuel system, gasoline3
  6. Power train3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Steering2
  9. Fuel system, other2

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
4
Deaths reported
2
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

18 reports7 crashes
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS ACTIVATED AT LOW SPEEDS. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. THE ABS ACTIVATION RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE WAS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE ABS CONTINUED TO ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS. ON OCTOBER 14, 2005 THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02I002000. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 4, 2006Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10146918

Suspension

17 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU AMIGO. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THE SUSPENSION ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE HAD RUSTED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2019SuspensionODI 11290835

Structure

15 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU AMIGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V306000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIRS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2014StructureODI 10629383
All 1999 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

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-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 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Amigo 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
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 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Amigo 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    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 1999 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

1999 Amigo questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Isuzu Amigo have?

4 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 1999 Isuzu Amigo problems?

Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (18), suspension (17), structure (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Isuzu Amigo get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Isuzu Amigo at 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026