Most common 1998 Isuzu Amigo problems
Share of the 78 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Amigo complaints by model year
Best Amigo years: 2000. Years to avoid: 1998. Compare all years →
1998 Isuzu Amigo recalls (5)
Suspension › Rear
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,…
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.
Suspension › Rear
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle lower link joint nut and bolt.
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will remove all four sunshade holders and re-bond them to the sunroof glass.
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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."
Remedy: Dealers will install new right and left rear seat belt anchor bolts.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1998 Isuzu Amigo:
Sunshade retainer failure
Consumers allege the interior sunshade for the sunroof dropped onto them while driving their vehicle
Braking system/ABS
There is no summary currently available
What 1998 Isuzu Amigo owners say
Brakes all 22 →
Brakes do not function properly during wet weather of when the vehicle hit a pothole. The dealer and manufacturer were contacted and stated that there was nothing that they could do. The consumer has paid over $200.00 to get brakes fixed, and the problem still existed. Currently spent $250 for new rotors.....
I do not believe that the brakes on my car have worked correctly since it was purchased. I have had it into the dealer several times, but they said they cannot find anything wrong. During the summer I got a notice that Isuzu would be "fixing" brakes on various cars - it was not a recall, but they were going to be doing it for safety reasons. The cars were, I believe, 98 and 99 amigos and rodeos, of which mine is one. I called Isuzu and they said they would be sending notices out in the fall. It is now the end of February and I have never heard another word and am not able to get any information. My brakes just don't seem to work properly and I don't think they ever have. It is like it takes longer to stop than it should.
Engine & cooling
To start off I was never notified regarding the recall for the timing belt. I just happen to find it myself on the internet doing a search for recalls. I took the vehicle to Isuzu and had 2 of the recalls fixed. (timing bet "belt kit" and rear axle "bolt kit") this was on feb, 5 2003 at 88803 miles. On April, 30 2004 at 101660 miles I was driving my husband to the airport and the car died at a turn. "in the middle of the road" numerous attempts to restart the car failed and it was towed to my mechanic. I was thought it May have been bad gas "water in the gas" due to the fact I had just filled up 15 miles prior. To sum it all up the mechanic had to replace the timing belt as it was in shreds. (part is still available if needed) now $226.00 + rental car out of my pocket to fix something that was supposed to be already fixed? …
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.
Fuel & propulsion system
Vehicle keeps stalling when slowing down at stops or while slowing down to make turns. At which point, power steering is impossible and this presents a dangerous situation. Problem was first noticed in 11/2002, recurred in 05/2003, both times, the dealer rectified problem.
Gas guage reads full until tank is approximately 1/2 empty. Less than 1 gallon reads 1/4 tank on guage. Dealer referred my 1998 problem to TSB sb97-02-l009, a 1997 TSB regarding the Isuzu rodeo model and a different symptom. Dealer's recommendation is to wait until Isuzu solves the 1997 TSB. Numerous complaints from other 1998 Amigo owners can be seen at http://forums.vmag.com/suvamigo0199.
1998 Isuzu Amigo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 22 / 20 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 21 / 19 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 19 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Isuzu Amigo a good car?
Based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Amigo rates avoid: 2.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Amigo at the same age. It is one of the Amigo years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Isuzu Amigo?
The brakes — 22 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the engine & cooling (16) and fuel & propulsion system (11).
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Amigo have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1998 Isuzu Amigo, the most recent from June 29, 2012 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Isuzu Amigo?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998. See the full Isuzu Amigo years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Isuzu Amigo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 95,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.