1999 Isuzu Amigo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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%
- Body & structure1519.5%
- 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.
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
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
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.
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
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.
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO BURN OUT CONTINUOUSLY. *NLM
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED UNDER WET CONDITIONS, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A POLE.*JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WITH CONSUMER PUSHING ON THE BRAKES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
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
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.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HORN OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
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.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN A CAR CRASH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .