NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre. Most complaints involve visibility (12) and engine and engine cooling (3). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.3L ENGINES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE CAN CONTACT THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE OIL PAN CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO WEAR TO THE POINT OF BRAKE FLUID LOSS DURING BRAKE APPLICATION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V210000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 05/02/06. *JB”
“CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT FANS THAT SPLIT AND BREAK APART. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FANS WERE BEING REPLACED EVERY 30,000 MILES TO 40,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE RADIATOR, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FANS OR THE FAN CLUTCH. *AK 1997 ISUZU HOMBRE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE FAN AND ENGINE FAN CLUTCH. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE FAN FELL OFF THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE FAN FELL OFF BECAUSE THE TENSION PULLEY BROKE. THE DEALER MADE THE CONSUMER PAY FOR A NEW ONE IN ADDITION TO THE PAYMENT FOR THE FAN THAT WAS PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE DAY BEFORE. *MR *NM”
“ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM; WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT BACK AND FORTH WHILE TRYING TO PRESS DOWN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TEMPORARILY LOSE BRAKING UNTIL THE PULSATION IN PEDAL STOPPED. ALSO NOTICE DA LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN THIS OCCURRED DEALER NOTIFED AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hombre Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Hombre Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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.
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (12), engine and engine cooling (3), service brakes, hydraulic (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Isuzu Hombre at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).