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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

1998 Isuzu HombreRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 53 owner complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Hombre. Most complaints involve visibility (23) and engine and engine cooling (8). The EPA rates it 16–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 1997
Owner complaints
53
Top: visibility
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: front underhood

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.

Electrical systemReported Nov 25, 1997NHTSA 97V208002
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

53 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1998 – Jun 2016
  1. Visibility23
  2. Engine and engine cooling8
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Equipment3
  6. Parking brake3
  7. Air bags3
  8. Structure2
  9. Seats2

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 Hombre model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199637
199725
199853
20007
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility

23 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU HOMBRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2011Engine and engine cooling, VisibilityODI 10439744

Engine and engine cooling

8 reports1 crash
“THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2004Engine and engine coolingODI 10099181

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CLUTCH FAILED, PREVENTING VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS. *AK WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO LOW THE VEHICLE BUT THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM FIFTH GEAR. UPON EXAMINATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED RENDERING THE CLUTCH INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMPONENT FAILURE NOT A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO ISUZU BUT THEY DIDN'T EXPRESS ANY INTEREST IN THE SITUATION. *PH *NLM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2003Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10039991
All 1998 Hombre problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 4.3L 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 Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Hombre Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$2,850404
Hombre Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
Hombre Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
Hombre Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Hombre Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Hombre Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 Hombre as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 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 Hombre questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Hombre have?

1 safety recall 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.

What are the most common 1998 Isuzu Hombre problems?

Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (23), engine and engine cooling (8), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Isuzu Hombre get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Isuzu Hombre at 16–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026