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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1997–2002

Isuzu Amigo recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 160 owner complaints for the Isuzu Amigo, covering model years 1997 to 2002. The 1998 model year drew the most complaints (78), and Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Isuzu Amigo VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 160 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (1997–2002)
  • most complaints: 1998 (78 for that model year)
  • top component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (41 complaints)
  • latest recall 12V306000 (reported Jun 29, 2012)
  • 28 complaints reporting a crash (17.5%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 12 complaints reporting an injury (7.5%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a death (1.3%)

Isuzu Amigo complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1998 model year has the most complaints: 78 of 160, or 48.8%. Next come 1999 (70) and 2000 (10). The fewest are for 2002, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Isuzu Amigo owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1997–2002Column chart of 160 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 1998 with 78. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1997: 1 complaint119971998: 78 complaints7819981999: 70 complaints7019992000: 10 complaints1020002001: 0 complaints20012002: 1 complaint12002
Isuzu Amigo complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Isuzu Amigo complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199710000
19987813080
19997013022
2000101010
200211010
All model years160280122

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Isuzu Amigo components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the component named most often, in 41 complaints (25.6% of all 160), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (25) and Structure (20).

Components named most often in Isuzu Amigo complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Isuzu Amigo complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4125.6%
Engine and Engine Cooling2515.6%
Structure2012.5%
Suspension1911.9%
Fuel System, Gasoline116.9%
Air Bags95.6%
Visibility95.6%
Power Train85.0%
Fuel System, Other74.4%
Steering63.8%
Vehicle Speed Control63.8%
Electrical System53.1%
Tires53.1%
Seat Belts42.5%
Service Brakes, Air31.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Isuzu Amigo recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Amigo, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 1998 to 2001. The 1998 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Isuzu Amigo recall campaigns covering each model year
1998: 5 campaigns1999: 2 campaigns2000: 1 campaign2001: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 12V306000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model years 1998–2001

    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.

    Consequence:
    Excessive corrosion may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame, which can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area. For vehicles in which little or no corrosion is found, the area will be treated with an anti-corrosive compound. For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the rear suspension lower link bracket and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed. In the rare event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be appropriate, Isuzu will offer to repurchase the vehicle for an amount based on the kelley blue book “private party” price. All inspections and remedies will be provided free of charge for vehicles that are 10 years old or less. For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy, but only if the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued. The recall began during July 2012. Isuzu owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V058000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model years 1998–1999

    Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Paint was applied unevenly on the rear axles, resulting in insufficient paint hardness. Should this occur on the surface that contacts the rear axle lower link bracket bolt head and/or nut, the nut may loosen.

    Consequence:
    The bolt could detach fully, causing separation of the lower link from the rear axle, increasing the risk of loss of vehicle control.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

  3. NHTSA campaign 98V260000

    Reported

    Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a sunroof sunshade. The primer applied to prepare the surface prior to bonding the sunshade holders to the sunroof weakened the bonding strength of the adhesive, resulting in an unsatisfactory bond of the holder to the sunroof.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in separation of the holder, causing the sunshade to fall, possibly striking a vehicle occupant.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will remove all four sunshade holders and re-bond them to the sunroof glass.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

  4. NHTSA campaign 98V170000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. A ground connection terminal was not properly crimped in the supplier's engine wiring harness manufacturing line. This improper crimping process can leave an impression on the terminal that will eventually cause a stress fracture. S

    Consequence:
    If a terminal is fractured, the powertrain control module (PCM) can receive an erroneous signal indicating a high vehicle speed, thereby causing the PCM to cut the fuel, causing a 'no-start' condition, or a possible engine stall.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

  5. NHTSA campaign 98V111000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model year 1998

    Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The strength of the rear seat belt shoulder anchorage is not to design specifications and does not fully comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."

    Consequence:
    The rear seat belts would not provide adequate protection in the event of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install new right and left rear seat belt anchor bolts.

    Filed by Isuzu Motors Limited

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Isuzu Amigo questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Isuzu Amigo have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Isuzu Amigo, covering model years 1997 to 2002. The most recent, 12V306000, was reported on June 29, 2012 and is filed under “Suspension”. The 1998 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which Isuzu Amigo model year has the most complaints?

The 1998 model year, with 78 of the 160 complaints in NHTSA’s file (48.8%). The next are 1999 (70) and 2000 (10). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Isuzu Amigo complaint?

Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the component named most often: 41 complaints, or 25.6% of all 160. Engine and Engine Cooling (25) and Structure (20) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Isuzu Amigo?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Isuzu dealer.

How many Isuzu Amigo complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 160 complaints, 28 report a crash, 0 a fire, 12 at least one injury and 2 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Isuzu models

8 models · most complaints first

The Isuzu models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Isuzu VIN decoder with every Isuzu model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Isuzu models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.