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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2000 Isuzu AmigoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2000 Isuzu Amigo. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (4) and service brakes, hydraulic (2). The EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2012
Owner complaints
10
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2000 – Jan 2008
  1. Engine and engine cooling4
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  3. Fuel system, gasoline1
  4. Power train1
  5. Visibility1
  6. Air bags1
  7. Seats1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ISUZU AMIGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE AND UNITS OF THE POWER TRAIN. THREE YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 01I002000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A FORMAL COMPLAINT WAS ALSO FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2008Engine and engine coolingODI 10213642

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports
“ALL 4 ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 12000 MILES.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2003Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10024623

Fuel system, gasoline

1 report
“FUEL SENSOR FAILED. ONE WIRE WORE OUT ON THE FUEL SENSOR. THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED COSTING $660. THE ISUZU AMIGO WAS ONLY 31/2 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2004Fuel system, gasolineODI 10100150
All 2000 Amigo problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 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 27, 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
182119$3,400468
Amigo 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Amigo 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Amigo 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
  • Amigo 2WD
    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
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Amigo 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Amigo 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 2000 Isuzu Amigo as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 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

2000 Amigo questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Isuzu Amigo have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2000 Isuzu Amigo problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (4), service brakes, hydraulic (2), fuel system, gasoline (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Isuzu Amigo get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Isuzu Amigo at 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026