Owners have filed 58 complaints
about the 1998 Isuzu Hombre with NHTSA between 1998 and 2016.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 82
Against the median year of the Isuzu Hombre. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 98
19% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 44
26% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Motor
929.0%
Windshield Wiper/Washer
825.8%
Motor
39.7%
Frontal
39.7%
Switch/Wiring
26.5%
Gasoline
26.5%
Engine
26.5%
Disc
26.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
13.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
27.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
27.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
725.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
622.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
829.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
13.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 1998peak 3Jun 2016
Recalls on the 1998 Isuzu Hombre
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
97V208002
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Risk: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1997201775 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the engine wiring harness clip could melt and drip onto the exhaust manifold. The clip material on the exhaust manifold could ignite and subsequently ignite other combustible components in the immediate vicinity resulting in a vehicle fire without prior warning. Correction: Electrical wiring harness will be rerouted.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 5,700 milesGreenbrier, TN1 injured
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN RAIN DURING HARD DOWNPOUR. I THINK THE CIRCUIT BOARD CRACKED LIKED THE RECALLED CHEVROLEROLET S-10S AND CHEVROLET TRUCK ALSO MADE BY GM.THEY RECALLED ALL CHEVY TRUCK MADE AT SAME PLANT AS MINE FOR WIPERS STOPPING.MY HOMBREE WAS MADE IN USA BY CHEVY. THIS IS APOX 100TH TIME THIS HAS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10061885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Smyrna Beach, FLCrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKES FAILED TO PREVENT ROLL BACK ON FLAT SURFACE. DEALER CLAIMS BRAKE IS NOT DESIGNED TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS, IT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING FORWARD. THEY DID PUT THIS IN WRITING.
NHTSA complaint #739744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
HEAD-ON COLLISION AT APPROX 30 MPH. BOTH AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) FAILED TO DEPLOY DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT. BUMPER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, ENGINE COLLAPSED, CAUSING AN OIL SPILL.
NHTSA complaint #720711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FLCrash2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
HEAD-ON COLLISION AT APPROX 30 MPH. BOTH AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) FAILED TO DEPLOY DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT. BUMPER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, ENGINE COLLAPSED, CAUSING AN OIL SPILL.
NHTSA complaint #720711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Firstlight, NVCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #849852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Croix, 00Crash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL ALL LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED NO LIGHTS WERE ON. VEHICLE HAD LOST ALL POWER AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. VEHICLE SLID DOWNHILL INTO A TREE STUMP AND STOPPED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 140,000 milesTucson, AZ
TIRES
I HAVE HAD 3 TOYO TIRES BUBBLE AND SEPARATE IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AND TOYO WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I FEEL THAT THEIR TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AND NEED TO BE TESTED.
NHTSA complaint #10873188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHesperia, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN GOING TO STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL GIVES RESISTANCE, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS GRINDING OF METAL, AND THE TRUCK DOES NOT STOP INSTEAD IT SLOWS DOWN UNTIL IT REACHES THE STOP. I HAVE REPLACED THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM YET THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL MADE ON THE 1998 ISUZU RODEO.
NHTSA complaint #10806607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesRockford, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BETWEEN 96,000 AND 97000 MILES, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN 3 TIMES, AS IF SOMEONE HAD TURNED THE KEY OFF. FIRST TIME TURNING A CORNER. TWO OTHER TIMES, WHILE DRIVING 45 AND 60MPH. NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. VERY LUCKY NOBODY NEAR ME, OR SOMEONE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. PROBLEM FIXED, BY BUTITTA AUTO 6765 MILL ROAD, ROCKFORD, IL 61108 IGNITION MODULE HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED.
NHTSA complaint #10567858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRackford, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10439744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRackford, IL
VISIBILITY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10439744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLA Mesa, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU HOMBRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND OTHER TIMES, IT WOULD NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10361376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Grove, OR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WIPERS JUST STARTED STOPPING WHILE DRIVING. THEN IT WOULD GO BACK ON, BUT WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HWY AND IT IS RAINING; IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE DRIVING HOPING THEY WILL GO BACK ON. I HAVE NOT GONE INTO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IT USED TO DO IT INTERMITTENTLY AND IF YOU GO OVER A BUMP IT WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. YESTERDAY, IT STOPPED ALTOGETHER. THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR MODEL YR 1996 CAMPAIGN 98V150002.
NHTSA complaint #10355982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Grove, OR
VISIBILITY
THE WIPERS JUST STARTED STOPPING WHILE DRIVING. THEN IT WOULD GO BACK ON, BUT WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HWY AND IT IS RAINING; IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE DRIVING HOPING THEY WILL GO BACK ON. I HAVE NOT GONE INTO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IT USED TO DO IT INTERMITTENTLY AND IF YOU GO OVER A BUMP IT WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. YESTERDAY, IT STOPPED ALTOGETHER. THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE FOR MODEL YR 1996 CAMPAIGN 98V150002.
NHTSA complaint #10355982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesBIG River, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU HOMBRE. IN STORMY OR HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE REDUCES VISIBILITY AND INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS PARTICULAR YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150002 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER); THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. HE FILED A COMPLAINT (CASE NUMBER 08206028) WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPERS WORK 70% OF THE TIME. WHEN HE SHUTE THE SWITCH OFF, THE WIPERS CONTINUED TO RUN. UPDATED 09/19/08.
NHTSA complaint #10235650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #10204069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesLake Havasu City, AZ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1998 ISUZU HOMBRE AND STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE CLOSES THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OR IS PUMPING GAS HE GETS A STATIC SHOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC SHOCK WAS JUST NORMAL AND THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CAUSE OF THE SHOCK HAD TO DO WITH THE FABRIC ON THE VEHICLE'S SEATS. HE ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE IN STORAGE FOR ABOUT 5.5 YEARS, BUT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE BEFORE STORING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 MILES AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,600 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10185512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE VEHICLE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 03V210000, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10167484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MD
EQUIPMENT
RED STICKER COPY OF DISAPPOINTMENT THAT NHTSA DID NOT RETURN HIS CALL. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO FALL ONTO THE ROAD AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TIRE BOUNCED HIGH INTO THE AIR AND CRASHED ONTO THE ROOF OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE PART WAS REPLACED, IT FAILED AGAIN ONE YEAR LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10164728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesAustin, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
FAILURE OF DRIVER SIDE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10139291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesNEW Braunfels, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED ONLY WHEN ITS RAINING. REPLACE WIRING HARNESS AND WIPER SWITCH. NONE OF THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10136822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,535 milesNEW Braunfels, TX
EQUIPMENT
THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FAILED AND DROPPED MY TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10136823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesGrass Valley, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
DT: CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER UNIT WHICH CRACKED TWICE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT MOISTURE GOT INTO THE UNIT AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE UNIT JUST STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. WHEN REPLACING THE SWITCH THE WIPERS DIDN'T ALWAYS COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10126285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesColumbia, MD
EQUIPMENT
DRIVING DOWN US RT 1 IN LAUREL MD, SPARE TIRE CABLE FAILED AND RELEASED TIRE. TIRE FLEW UP IN THE AIR AND CAME DOWN ON THE TOP OF ANOTHER CAR, BARELY MISSED GOING THROUGH DRIVERS WINDSHEILD
NHTSA complaint #10125279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesLexington, SC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING THEN STARTED WORKING AS IF THEY HAD A MIND OF THEIR OWN-- ONLY WHEN IT IS RAINING--THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THIS PROBLEM THE YEAR BEFORE MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10102745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10099181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOT STUCK TO ONE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE OTHER. CONSUMER STATED COULD NOT DRIVE IN ANY RAIN WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10092724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,140 milesBakersfield, CA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF IT. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10089479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesJacksonville, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
1998 ISUZU HOMBRE WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER PROBLEM. WORKS FINE THEN SUDDENLY STOPS. HAS OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE 1998. IF YOU "JIGGLE" THE WIRING/CONNECTOR AT THE WIPER MOTOR UNDER THE HOOD THE WIPERS START WORKING AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT CAN AND WILL SUDDENLY RE-OCCUR AT ANY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10078887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE MOTOR MODULE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #10074186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Encinitas, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE I AM DRIVING. NO ACCIDENTS AS OF YET BUT CLOSE CALLS. MY ENGINE OVERHEATS TOO EASILY.
NHTSA complaint #10064506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.