FaultScore

FaultScore report

1991 Isuzu Stylus problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1991 Isuzu Stylus with NHTSA between 1995 and 2015. The largest single group is the electrical system.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

27

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 1991 compares with every other Isuzu Stylus

Click any bar to open that year's report.

91 92 93 94
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1991 Isuzu Stylus

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 8 29.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 25.9%
Engine & Cooling 7 25.9%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 3.7%
Seat Belts 1 3.7%
Steering 1 3.7%
Airbags 1 3.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 3.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
1991 Isuzu Stylus 4-DR.

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.

Feb 1995 peak 4 Jul 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Isuzu Stylus

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA95009 Opened 10 Mar 1995 Closed 2 Aug 1995 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Recalls on the 1991 Isuzu Stylus

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

92V091000

AIR BAGS

THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.

Risk: FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1995129 113,044 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Duncan, WA Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO UR HOUSE AT 7:30 AM NO KEYS, NO ONE AROUND, WE HAVE VIDEO OF IT AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. NO SAFETYD EFEC TLISTED.

NHTSA complaint #754441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia BEA, VA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON A HEAD- ON COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #986675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colbert, GA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, WET PAVEMENT, VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO RIGHT, THEN SUDDENLY FRONT AXLE BROKE, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.

NHTSA complaint #985007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 100,000 miles Seward, AK

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 ISUZU STYLUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THEN RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START FOR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECT. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SPRAYED ANTI HEAT SPRAY ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD, CAUSING EXCESSIVE SHRINKAGE OF THE BOARD DURING THE SUMMER AND WINTER WEATHER. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SHRINKAGE CAUSED THE STRUTTER TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #10735875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeville, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE IDLED POORLY, IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN. POWER STEERING WENT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10099294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spokane, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1991 ISUZU STYLUS ECM FAILURE; FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE CAR FAILS TO START. HAS LEFT WIFE STRANDED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS, TO THE POINT OF MANDATING CHANGES IN MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES, I WOULD LIKE EITHER GM OR ISUZU TO MAIL ME THE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10093784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cibolo, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THE ECU IS 500 DOLLARS AND THE DEALER WONT FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE VIN # NOT BEING CORRECT. I JUST WANT IT FIXED BECAUSE I DONT HAVE 500 DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE ECU THAT WAS A RECALLED PART.

NHTSA complaint #760300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duncan, WA Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE STARTED ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO UR HOUSE AT 7:30 AM NO KEYS, NO ONE AROUND, WE HAVE VIDEO OF IT AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. NO SAFETYD EFEC TLISTED.

NHTSA complaint #754441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holly Springs, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR SURGES WITHOUT WARNING WHEN IDLING. THIS APPEARS SPORADICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. IF THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD AND STALL. IF NOT ENGAGED, THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REV'S VERY HIGH. AT TIMES THE ENGINE IDLES HIGH FROM START CONSISTENTLY FOR 5 OR MORE MINUTES AFTER STARTING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED OR NOT. WHEN THE ENGINE REVS HIGH, THE CAR LURCHES AND DRIVES ERRATICALLY WHEN IN MOTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHER ISUZU STYLUS OWNERS WHO REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT THIS IS AN ECU ISSUE AND THAT THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED, AS IT IS A DESIGN FAULT.

NHTSA complaint #746821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winton, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. BRAKES WERE ON AND VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. OWNER HAD STARTER REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #890150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winton, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE STARTED WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. BRAKES WERE ON AND VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. OWNER HAD STARTER REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #890150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairmont, WV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THE ECU IN THE CAR HAS BLOWN THE ORIGINAL AND A REPLACEMENT MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #741956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

EXPERIENCED ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE WAS REVVING AND DROPPING, DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE ALMOST DYING. MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS SHORT IN ECU

NHTSA complaint #730967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

EXPERIENCED ERRATIC IDLE, IDLE WAS REVVING AND DROPPING, DIPPING OFTEN WITH ENGINE ALMOST DYING. MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS SHORT IN ECU

NHTSA complaint #730967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolingbrook, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY REGULAR MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT STALLED AGAIN. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND IDLE HIGH AND THEN STALL. IF I PRESS THE GAS AND KEEP THE CAR REVED UP IT WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN TO REGULAR IDLE, BUT SOMETIMES STILL STALLS.

NHTSA complaint #724732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolingbrook, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MY REGULAR MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT STALLED AGAIN. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND IDLE HIGH AND THEN STALL. IF I PRESS THE GAS AND KEEP THE CAR REVED UP IT WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN TO REGULAR IDLE, BUT SOMETIMES STILL STALLS.

NHTSA complaint #724732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bolingbrook, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY REGULAR MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT STALLED AGAIN. WHEN I SLOW DOWN OR COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHAKE AND IDLE HIGH AND THEN STALL. IF I PRESS THE GAS AND KEEP THE CAR REVED UP IT WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN TO REGULAR IDLE, BUT SOMETIMES STILL STALLS.

NHTSA complaint #724732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Bragg, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ECU IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE TYPE OF ADHESIVE USED INSIDE THE COMPONENT. THIS FAILURE IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IDLE ROUGH/HIGH/AND SLOW. COULD BE DANGEROUS IF CONDITION PERSISTS. WOULD LIKE MANUFACTURER TO ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL AC DELCO ECU'S EMPLOYED IN 1991 ISUZU AND GEO CARS.

NHTSA complaint #714696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ERRATIC IDLE SPEED, REVVING AND DROPPING, SPORADIC DYING OF THE ENGINE, HOVERING IDLE SPEED AOURN 2,000 - 3,000 RPM WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT RETURN TO NORMAL, UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION UNDER LOAD ON MANUAL TRANS. DUE TO UNCONTROLLABLE ENGINE SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #708786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CONCERN WE ALL HAVE IS WITH THE UNPREDICTABLE ERRATIC IDLE. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP, THE RPMS WILL JUMP FROM A STEADY 900 TO BETWEEN 2000-3000 UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE IS NO WARNING. I HAVE HAD TWO 90+ ISUZU CARS AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS. AS THEY WERE BOTH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, I WAS NOT AS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS SINCE WHEN IT WOULD OCCUR I WOULD EITHER HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND BE IN NEUTRAL, OR THE CLUTCH WOULD BE ENGAGED. OUR MAJOR CONCERN IS WITH HOW THIS AFFECTS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES. THE VERY POPULAR GEO STORM IS INCLUED IN THIS GROUP OF CARS, SINCE IT SHARES THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE ISUZUS IN QUESTION. THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED NOTES FROM OWNERS OF THESE CARS WITH THE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS WHO HAVE BEEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR AND SUDDENLY THEIR CARS WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. LUCKILY, THESE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE ACTIONS OF THEIR CARS BEFORE THERE WAS ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE. WE HAVE FOUND SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE REAL CULPRIT IS THE COMPUTER, AND AT $600+ EACH TO REPLACE, MOST OWNERS PASS. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL NOTE OUR CONCERNS, AND INVESTIGATE THIS PROPERLY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION OR FURTHER EXPLANATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND CONCERN. HOPEFULLY WE CAN RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #708578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexandria, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

THE CONCERN WE ALL HAVE IS WITH THE UNPREDICTABLE ERRATIC IDLE. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP, THE RPMS WILL JUMP FROM A STEADY 900 TO BETWEEN 2000-3000 UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE IS NO WARNING. I HAVE HAD TWO 90+ ISUZU CARS AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS. AS THEY WERE BOTH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, I WAS NOT AS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS SINCE WHEN IT WOULD OCCUR I WOULD EITHER HAVE THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND BE IN NEUTRAL, OR THE CLUTCH WOULD BE ENGAGED. OUR MAJOR CONCERN IS WITH HOW THIS AFFECTS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES. THE VERY POPULAR GEO STORM IS INCLUED IN THIS GROUP OF CARS, SINCE IT SHARES THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE ISUZUS IN QUESTION. THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED NOTES FROM OWNERS OF THESE CARS WITH THE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS WHO HAVE BEEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR AND SUDDENLY THEIR CARS WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. LUCKILY, THESE DRIVERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE ACTIONS OF THEIR CARS BEFORE THERE WAS ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE. WE HAVE FOUND SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE REAL CULPRIT IS THE COMPUTER, AND AT $600+ EACH TO REPLACE, MOST OWNERS PASS. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL NOTE OUR CONCERNS, AND INVESTIGATE THIS PROPERLY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION OR FURTHER EXPLANATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND CONCERN. HOPEFULLY WE CAN RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #708578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverside, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I EXPERIENCE UNCONTROLLABLE ENGINE IDLE SPEED WHICH CAUSES DIFFICULTY IN MODULATING ACCELERATION WHEN LEAVING A STOP. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL FO CAUSING UNAVOIDABLE COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS.

NHTSA complaint #708364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ISUZU REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #707931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Franci, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES PRIOR TO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #507131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia BEA, VA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON A HEAD- ON COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #986675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colbert, GA

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

WHILE GOING 55 MPH THE TIE ROD SLEEVE BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #986362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colbert, GA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, WET PAVEMENT, VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO RIGHT, THEN SUDDENLY FRONT AXLE BROKE, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.

NHTSA complaint #985007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrysville, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE COVER GASKETS RUPTURED, CAUSING OIL PUMP TO FAILED, VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNIN. *AKG

NHTSA complaint #979935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.