RoadVitals

1999 Isuzu Amigo Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
70
Latest Dec 23, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Isuzu Amigo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1924.7%
  • Suspension1722.1%
  • Engine56.5%
  • Fuel system56.5%
  • Transmission33.9%
  • Driver assistance33.9%
  • Steering22.6%
  • Tires & wheels22.6%
  • Seat belts22.6%
  • Visibility11.3%
  • Electrical11.3%
  • Other / unspecified11.3%
  • Airbags11.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10146918 · filed Jan 4, 2006

PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. I CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL, CAUSING FRONT-END DAMAGE TO MY CAR. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED (5/20-6/03/04) AND THE CAR WAS SENT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES (6/02-6/03). THE BODY SHOP WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE (6/04) AND WHEN THE PORTER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT, THE BRAKES FAILED AND HE CRASHED. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED THE ISUZU ENGINEERS AND WERE TOLD TO PULL THE MASTER CYLINDER OFF. THEY SAID WHEN THEY DID THAT THE PISTON WAS STUCK TO THE BOOSTER CAUSING AND INTERMITTENT BRAKE PROBLEM. DEALER MADE ALL REPAIRS AT THEIR COST AND CALLED ME TO PICK UP THE CAR ON FRIDAY (6/11). I DROVE THE CAR AND ON WEDNESDAY MORNING (6/16) THE BRAKES FAILED AND I CALLED THE DEALER TO PICK UP THE CAR. THE DEALER REP CALLED ME ON FRIDAY (6/18) AND SAID THAT I HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ISUZU PARTS (I HAD THEM DONE AT ANOTHER MECHANIC, NOT LONG AGO) AND ALSO THE ABS MODULE (WHICH I REPLACED ALREADY AT MY COST ON 6/07/02). THE DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE AND RETURNED IT TO ME ON FRIDAY (6/25). I DID NOT ACTUALLY TAKE THE CAR BACK UNTIL THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY, BECAUSE THE DEALER HAD SCRATCHED THE DOOR AND NEEDED TO REPAIR. I PICKED THE CAR UP ON FRIDAY (07/02) AND DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. ON MONDAY (07/05), I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE BRAKES MADE THE SAME GRINDING NOISE AND FAILED TO WORK. I PUMPED THEM UNTIL THEY STOPPED AND THEN PULLED BACK INTO THE GARAGE TO PARK IT AND THEY FAILED A SECOND TIME CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE GARAGE WALL. I HAD A FRIEND WITH ME WHO WITNESSED EVERYTHING AND WAS SOMEWHAT SORE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE DEALER TO PICK UP THE CAR AND THE SAID THEY WERE HAVING AN ISUZU ENGINEER FLOW IN TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THAT IS WHERE I STAND SO FAR, $1470.16 OUT OF MY POCKET AND I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID 10080525 · filed Jul 7, 2004
All 19 reports naming brakes

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11290835 · filed Dec 23, 2019

FOUND OUT MY VEHICLE HAS REAR FRAME CORROSION AND TRACK BAR MOUNT ALMOST GONE FROM RUST. WAS NOTICED WHEN HAVING TIRES CHANGED. SAW RECALL AND READ CUSTOMER LETTER ONLINE (NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL). CALLED ISUZU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD RECALL NO LONGER APPLIES DUE TO TIME. THE LETTER SAYS WITHIN ONE YEAR OF NOTIFICATION. IF I WASN'T NOTIFIED SHOULDN'T I STILL HAVE A YEAR TO GET THIS RECALL DONE?. NOW I HAVE A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURING. HOW ARE WE AS CONSUMERS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A RECALL DONE WITHIN THEIR TIME LIMIT WITHOUT BEING NOTIFIED? WHAT CAN WE DO AND WHO DO WE NEED TO CONTACT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? THIS ISN'T THE FIRST COMPLAINT OF LACK OF SERVICE FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10573541 · filed Mar 19, 2014
All 17 reports naming suspension

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10629383 · filed Aug 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU AMIGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SWAY BARS SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STRUT ALSO SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID 10617658 · filed Jul 30, 2014
All 15 reports naming body & structure

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A 99 ISUZU AMIGO WITH A 3.2L V6. THE ROD AND MAIN BEARINGS HAVE GONE CAUSING IT TO KNOCK REAL BAD. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10225556 · filed Apr 24, 2008

THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON THE VEHICLE RUINING THE ENTIRE MOTO. THE TIMING BELT WAS A RECALL ITEM AND WAS REPLACED AT AROUND 20000 MILES. THE BELT BROKE NOW AT 70,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED IN THAT IT NEEDS AN ENTIRE MOTOR AT A COST OF $4000. *NM

NHTSA ID 10138933 · filed Oct 6, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PURCHASED A USED 99 ISUZU AMIGO V6 4X4, AND THE FUEL GAGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. WHEN YOU FILL UP IT WILL ONLY READ FULL FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THEN IT GOES BACK AND FORTH FROM EMPTY FLASHING, TO FULL. WHEN YOU THINK IT IS ALMOST EMPTY AND YOU GO TO FILL IT UP YOU USUALLY ONLY GET TO PUT IN 4-6 GALLONS THEN ITS FULL AGAIN...FOR THE NEXT 5 MILES. BY MY CALCULATIONS I AM ONLY GETTING 10 MILES TO THE GALLON, WHEN I SHOULD BE GETTING 17. *NM

NHTSA ID 10132959 · filed Aug 15, 2005

WE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED OUT '99 ISUZU AMIGO V6 4X4. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS GOING OUT ON IT AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL WE ACTUALLY HAVE IN THERE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID 10121388 · filed May 19, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONTACT SAYS THAT HE GOT INTO VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN DRIVE. THE ACCELERATOR REVVED ,AND THE TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN OUT. THE VEHICLE MOVED ABOUT 10 FEET. VEHICLE VEERED SO BADLY THAT IT WORE THE BACK BRAKES COMPLETELY OUT. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM FOR THE CONTACT TO GO AHEAD AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. AND SINCE HE HAS THREE CHILDREN HE FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTS ACCELERATING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE MECHANIC STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AT THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT FINDING ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CONTACT STATES THAT THIS IS VERY UNSAFE ,AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10120591 · filed May 10, 2005

THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO BURN OUT CONTINUOUSLY. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10019732 · filed May 13, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, WE HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE: THE ENGINE SURGES AND REVS TO OVER 2,000 RPMS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD, MOST TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WE MUST CONCENTRATE ON KEEPING OUR FOOT SECURELY ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LUNGING INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AHEAD OR INTO A CROSSWALK.*AK

NHTSA ID 752751 · filed Sep 30, 2001

AT THIS TIME THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP, SO I'M UNAWARE YET OF ALL THINGS WRONG. I DO KNOW THAT WHILE IN DRIVE MODE, AND WITH THE BRAKE PRESSED, THE CAR MOMENTARILY CUT OUT AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE CLOCK RESET ITSELF AT RANDOM. *AK

NHTSA ID 746977 · filed Jun 18, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH, WITH THREE CHILDREN AGES 2, 8, AND 11, IN THE VEHICLE THE REAR SUSPENSION GAVE OUT N BROKE THUMPING ALONG THE ROAD, AS MY STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT, YET MY VEHICLE REMAINED GOING STRAIGHT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR THE ONE MILE TO MY HOME GOING AT A SPEED OF 5MP OR LESS AS THERE WAS NO WHEEL CONTROL. AFTER CONTACTING ISUZU REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION RECALL, EVEN THOUGH I WAS THE REGISTERED OWNER AT TIME OF RECALL I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, ISUZU HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALER WHERE IT WAS DEEMED IRREPARABLE, ISUZU THEN TOOK OVER A WEEK TO CONTACT ME REGARDING BUYING BACK MY TRUCK AS A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM, THEN REQUESTED A COPY OF MY TITLE, WHICH I SENT, THEN WANTED A COPY OF MY REGISTRATION, WHICH I SENT, AND NOW ARE ASKING FOR MY BILL OF SALE, WHICH I GAVE THE ONLY COPY OF TO THE NYSDMV, INITIALLY I WAS ONLY TOLD I NEEDED MY TITLE, NOW NEEDING EXTRA DOCUMENTS, THAT I CANNOT FURNISH WITHOUT EXTREME HASSLE, AND ALSO ARE VERY IRRESPONSIBLE, AS THEY ONLY HAVE ONE CONTACT NUMBER FOR ALL OF NORTH AMERICA, AND ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE ANSWERING THE PHONE, THE SITUATION IS VERY DISHEARTENING KNOWING ME AND MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE DIED HAD THE SUSPENSION LET GO 5 MINUTES PRIOR WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON THE THRUWAY, I NEED ANSWERS AS THEY HAVE RECALLED THIS PART FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURING YET ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO JUSTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10479965 · filed Oct 12, 2012

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SOLENOID SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10089775 · filed Aug 25, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LEFT REAR TIRE TREADS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, VEHICLE ROLLS OVER, LEAVES HIGHWAY, KILLING BELTED DRIVER. THE TIRE WAS THE FORMER SPARE TIRE AND LIGHTLY USED. IT WAS 6 YEARS OLD AND MAY HAVE DEGRADED OVER TIME PURSUANT TO INFORMATION IN COMMENT TO DOCKET 03-15400 FILED WITH NHTSA ON 11-5-04 BY SEAN KANE OF SAFETY RESEARCH.*AK

NHTSA ID 10100871 · filed Dec 1, 2004

WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED UNDER WET CONDITIONS, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A POLE.*JB

NHTSA ID 10006911 · filed Feb 10, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER STATES THAT SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WITH CONSUMER PUSHING ON THE BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID 10033757 · filed Aug 12, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL LOCK IN TO PLACE AND TIGHTEN WITH EVERY NOTCH THAT IT GOES BACK INTO THE HOLDING PLACE ON THE SIDE WALL. IT WILL NOT UNLOCK UNTIL IT IS TAKEN OFF AND PUT COMPLETELY BACK IN TO THE HOLDING PLACE. IT HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED, IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR NOT, OR IF STOPPED. WE ALSO OWN A 98 OF THE SAME MODEL AND IT HAPPENS WITH THAT ONE ALSO.*AK

NHTSA ID 741671 · filed Feb 28, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PLASTIC KNOBS THE HOLD THE SUNROOF PLASTIC COVER ARE LIABLE TO BREAK EASILY. I HAVE ONE BROKEN UNDER NORMAL USE. ISUZU POLICY IS NOT TO REPLACE THE KNOB BUT TO FORCE THE OWNER TO BUY THE WHOLE PLASTIC COVER, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. OWNERS ARE LIABLE TO USE THE COVER WITH ONE KNOB WHICH REPRESENTS A HAZARD FOR THE COVER CAN COLLAPSE ON TOP OF THE DRIVER IF THE REMAINING PLASTIC KNOB FAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID 762998 · filed Jun 12, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HORN OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ID 10010071 · filed Mar 6, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30 MPH, WITH THREE CHILDREN AGES 2, 8, AND 11, IN THE VEHICLE THE REAR SUSPENSION GAVE OUT N BROKE THUMPING ALONG THE ROAD, AS MY STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT, YET MY VEHICLE REMAINED GOING STRAIGHT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO BE CONTROLLED. MY MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR THE ONE MILE TO MY HOME GOING AT A SPEED OF 5MP OR LESS AS THERE WAS NO WHEEL CONTROL. AFTER CONTACTING ISUZU REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION RECALL, EVEN THOUGH I WAS THE REGISTERED OWNER AT TIME OF RECALL I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, ISUZU HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALER WHERE IT WAS DEEMED IRREPARABLE, ISUZU THEN TOOK OVER A WEEK TO CONTACT ME REGARDING BUYING BACK MY TRUCK AS A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM, THEN REQUESTED A COPY OF MY TITLE, WHICH I SENT, THEN WANTED A COPY OF MY REGISTRATION, WHICH I SENT, AND NOW ARE ASKING FOR MY BILL OF SALE, WHICH I GAVE THE ONLY COPY OF TO THE NYSDMV, INITIALLY I WAS ONLY TOLD I NEEDED MY TITLE, NOW NEEDING EXTRA DOCUMENTS, THAT I CANNOT FURNISH WITHOUT EXTREME HASSLE, AND ALSO ARE VERY IRRESPONSIBLE, AS THEY ONLY HAVE ONE CONTACT NUMBER FOR ALL OF NORTH AMERICA, AND ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE ANSWERING THE PHONE, THE SITUATION IS VERY DISHEARTENING KNOWING ME AND MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE DIED HAD THE SUSPENSION LET GO 5 MINUTES PRIOR WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON THE THRUWAY, I NEED ANSWERS AS THEY HAVE RECALLED THIS PART FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURING YET ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO JUSTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10479965 · filed Oct 12, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IN A CAR CRASH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID 8007774 · filed Apr 16, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .