Rear trailing arms of vehicle ripped off from the frame and caused the rear axle to drive up under the vehicle. Lost control of vehicle and drove into the center median of highway. Failure due to corrosion and insufficient weld of control arm bracket.
The worst 1998 Isuzu Amigo problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes22
- Engine16
- Fuel system11
- Visibility7
- Airbags6
- Body5
- Electrical4
- Steering4
- Tires4
- Transmission4
- Acceleration3
- Seat belts2
- Suspension2
- Locks1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Isuzu Amigo
Recalls 5
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V306000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 00V058000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V260000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
- What is wrong
- 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
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V170000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V111000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1998 Isuzu Amigo
Defect investigations
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
EA99008
Sunshade retainer failure
Consumers allege the interior sunshade for the sunroof dropped onto them while driving their vehicle
PE98046
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Isuzu Amigo 36
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The...
- Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to...
- The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various...
- The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic...
- Rear brake rotors
- Ignition switch does not turn to the lock position and the ignition key cannot be removed
- Poor and/or loose door weatherstrip position
- ABS (anti-locking brake) system, coil integrated module replacement phase 3 announcement
- ABS (anti-locking brake) system, coil integrated module replacement safety improvement campaign 02I-002...
- ABS (anti-lock brake system), coil integrated module replacement safety improvement campaign
1998 Isuzu Amigo fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 22 | 20 |
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18 | 21 | 19 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 19 | 17 |
What 1998 Isuzu Amigo owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 isuzu amigo. The contact stated that the radius arm brackets, cross members, and brake lines were completely corroded. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v306000 (suspension). The manufacturer was contacted and the dealer refused to perform the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician explained that, due to the extensive corrosion, the vehicle would not pass state inspection until the frame was replaced. The technician replaced the radius arm brackets and welded the frame. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 isuzu amigo. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v306000 (suspension) and stated that the manufacturer was notified and advised that the recall had expired on august 3, 2013. The manufacturer refused to honor the recall even though it had only been one week after the expiration date. The contact had not experienced failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 isuzu amigo. The contact stated the rear end swayed while accelerating. The failure recurred while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed, but the contact noticed that the rear lower link bracket was fractured. The manufacturer and an authorized dealer were made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v436000 (suspension:rear). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 173,000. Updated 02/01/12
My 1998 isuzu amigo (which I bought brand new) is no longer drivable. The rear end of the frame is rusted out so bad that the rear suspension lower link detached from the frame. I am told it is not fixable. When I accelerate the back end of the truck has a mind of its own and I can't control it. I don't have a car to drive to work. I have borrowed 4 different cars just to survive.
I have a 1998 isuzu amigo, there was one recall on the sun visor; but, the solution isuzu instated is short term and did not correct the problem, the problem is that the sun shade does not remain in place and has drop down and hit me in the head while driving several times. I have contacted isuzu and all they do is keep gluing the anker bracks to the glass roof and they keep losing adherision and fall off.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 isuzu amigo. While driving 55 MPH, the tread separated from the vehicle's tires, but the tires remained inflated. The contact stated that another tire was completely warped. The tires were dominator all season. The current and failure mileages were 107,000. Updated 08/16/07.
Dt*: the contact stated the air conditioning rattled constantly from the time the vehicle was started. The contact was concerned whatever was rattling may damage the engine. Updated 10/25/2006 -
1998 isuzu amigo with 95000 miles had the oil pump shell out destroying the crank and block under normal driving conditions with clean oil and regular maintenance.
Dt: the contact stated there was a knocking sound in the engine. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of the problem. A local mechanic said the valves were knocking ,and it could possibly be the lifters.
Compare the 1998 Isuzu Amigo
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Questions about the 1998 Isuzu Amigo
Is the 1998 Isuzu Amigo reliable?
Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 1998 Isuzu Amigo, 78.0 times a typical Amigo model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Isuzu Amigo?
Brakes, with 22 complaints. Next is engine (16).
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Amigo have?
5 recalls, covering suspension, visibility and electrical system.
What year does the Isuzu Amigo have bad brakes?
The Isuzu Amigo model years with the most brakes complaints are 1998 (22 complaints) and 1999 (19 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Isuzu Amigo get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Isuzu Amigo range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 22 highway.
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