VehicleVerdict

1999 Isuzu Amigo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 38.5 times the median Amigo year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 15 Amigo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (19), suspension (17), and body & structure (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

77

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Amigo years?

Amigo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted99 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 9 complaints1991: 5 complaints1992: 6 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 6 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 99 complaints1999: 77 complaints2000: 12 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 1 complaints
Amigo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Amigo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Isuzu Amigo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1925%
Suspension1722%
Body & Structure1519%
Engine56%
Fuel System56%
Tires & Wheels34%
Transmission34%
Speed Control34%
Steering23%
Seat Belts23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Electrical System11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1999 Isuzu Amigo have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

12V306000SuspensionJune 29, 2012 · 14,756 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

02I002000BrakesJune 3, 2002 · 161,927 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), THE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN CERTAIN TYPES OF BRAKING EVENTS.

Consequence

EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COMPUTER ALGORITHM FOR THE ABS THAT IS BASED ON THE ALGORITHM USED IN ISUZU'S MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES, WITH THE MY 1998 2WD VEHICLES COVERED FIRST, SINCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE MOST PROBLEMS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070.

01I002000EngineMay 29, 2001

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1998-2000 RODEO (UE) AND AMIGO (UA) MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE TIMING BELT COULD BREAK BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CRANK BUT WILL NOT START OR THE ENGINE COULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT RESTART.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION OR MODEL OF THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER, THE TENSIONER MAY ALSO BE REPLACED. ISUZU HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 22, 2001. OWNERS CAN CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070, EXT. 426, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.

00V058000SuspensionMarch 2, 2000 · 213,736 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 1999 ISUZU AMIGO.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT A LIGHT, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED IN THE PAST ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES.*JB *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 11, 2001 · crash

CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE ROAD AT 20MPH WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND IMMEDIATELY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ONTO A CURB WHERE ONCE STOPPED THEY WERE ABLE TO DRIVE IT INTO A PARKING LOT BUT ONLY IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. ONCE INSPECTED, IT WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 11, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ISUZU AMIGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V306000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE DEALER COULD NOT COMPLETE THE REPAIRS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 18, 2014

PURCHASED A USED 99 ISUZU AMIGO V6 4X4, AND THE FUEL GAGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. WHEN YOU FILL UP IT WILL ONLY READ FULL FOR ABOUT 5 MILES THEN IT GOES BACK AND FORTH FROM EMPTY FLASHING, TO FULL. WHEN YOU THINK IT IS ALMOST EMPTY AND YOU GO TO FILL IT UP YOU USUALLY ONLY GET TO PUT IN 4-6…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 13, 2005

THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON THE VEHICLE RUINING THE ENTIRE MOTO. THE TIMING BELT WAS A RECALL ITEM AND WAS REPLACED AT AROUND 20000 MILES. THE BELT BROKE NOW AT 70,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED IN THAT IT NEEDS AN ENTIRE MOTOR AT A COST OF $4000. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 6, 2005

1999 Isuzu Amigo — common questions

Is the 1999 Isuzu Amigo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 15 Amigo years. It is one of the Amigo years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Amigo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (19 complaints), suspension (17 complaints), body & structure (15 complaints).

Does the 1999 Isuzu Amigo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Isuzu Amigo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Isuzu Amigo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Isuzu Amigo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Amigo years to avoid are 1998, 1999. The cleanest record among Amigo years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.