Most common 1997 Isuzu Hombre problems
Share of the 25 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Hombre complaints by model year
Best Hombre years: 2000, 1997. Years to avoid: 1998, 1996. Compare all years →
1997 Isuzu Hombre recalls (3)
Visibility › Rear window wiper/washer › Motor
On certain pickup trucks with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began July 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6mm or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the oil pan and brake line,…
Seat belts
Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1997 Isuzu Hombre:
Driver's seat belt buckle assembly
On February 18, 2004, odi opened this recall query (rq) based on two fatality reports involving my 1997 GM s-10 pickup trucks.each report alleged that the belted driver occupant was ejected in a multiple-rotation rollover crash.the my 1997 s/t series pickups use an energy-absorbing loop in the driver seat belt that allows the webbing to elongate up to 10 inches (to mitigate driver injury in frontal crashes).GM also…
Seat belt webbing separation
NHTSA's new car assessment program (ncap) tested a 1997 Chevrolet s-10 extended cab pickup equipped with a driver-side air bag.the front passenger seat belt was completely cut during the test.
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
What 1997 Isuzu Hombre owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Dt*: the contact stated the windshield wipers work intermittently. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03V210000, regarding the windshield wiper motor. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 05/02/06.
The consumer stated the windshield wipers were on recall. Consumer stated that dealer won't honor recall. The consumer was told that part was not available. After many phone calls, the dealer sent someone to pick up the vehicle and have it repaired. Recall# 03V210000
Brakes
Driving at 40 MPH went apply brakes to stop, pedal went to floor, no brakes. Pumped brakes. Tried to pull emergency brakes could not stop, ended up hitting 2 trees at approximately 70 MPH because of defect. There was no prior warning. Driver sustained injuries.
Brakes have failed at six other times, the last being 10/22/99. I had to cross 4 lanes of traffic to avoid a collision. All the manufacturer and dealer want to do is tell me to buy another vehicle or that they can't fix it without it happening to them without admitting responsibility. They stated, "to take the brakes apart and look at them would be an admission of quilt".
Engine & cooling
Consumer was complaining about fans that split and break apart. This occurred on three separate occasions. Fans were being replaced every 30,000 miles to 40,000 miles. Manufacturer replaced the radiator, but would not replace the fans or the fan clutch. 1997 Isuzu Hombre experiencing problems with engine fan and engine fan clutch. When consumer was driving home from the dealership the fan fell off the front of the engine. Dealer told consumer that the fan fell off because the tension pulley broke. The dealer made the consumer pay for a new one in addition to the payment for the fan that was purchased and installed the day before.
While driving in heavy rain, engine injested water through air intake system in sufficient quantities to cause hydraulic lock-up of the pistons. The vehicle was operating at approx 3-5 MPH at the time of the incident. It travelling through a puddle of approx 6"-12" in depth and turning a corner. It was not subjected to flooding water at any time prior to the incident. I submitted a complaint to Isuzu (#98273035) and todate have not had anyone from Isuzu contact me to come to review the complaint nor investigate cause or explain why or how this can occur. I have received two letters from them claiming no fault, but effort to look into problem was made.
1997 Isuzu Hombre engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Isuzu Hombre a good car?
Based on 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Hombre rates average: 32% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Hombre at the same age. It is one of the best Hombre years by this measure. 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 1997 Isuzu Hombre?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 13 complaints, 52% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield wiper/washer. Next are the brakes (3) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre, the most recent from June 2, 2003 (motor). 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 Hombre?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998 and 1996. See the full Isuzu Hombre years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Isuzu Hombre problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 50% 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.