VehicleVerdict

2000 Isuzu Amigo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 2000 Isuzu Amigo — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Amigo years?

Amigo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Amigo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Isuzu Amigo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine433%
Brakes325%
Seats18%
Transmission18%
Visibility & Wipers18%
Fuel System18%
Airbags18%

Does the 2000 Isuzu Amigo have recalls?

2 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ENGINE KNOCKS (PINGS) UNDER LOAD 2300-3000 RPM'S. DEALER REPROGRAMED COMPUTER, BUT THE KNOCK WAS STILL PRESENT. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BAD GAS, AND SUGGESTED I TRY USING 89 OCTANE INSTEAD OF 87. THE 1989 OCTANE SLOVE THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2500 MILES, BUT NOW THE KNOCKING IS BACK. I WOULD GUESS THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 11, 2001

MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH OUR 2000 ISUZU AMIGO. MY WIFE IMPACTED A VEHICLE WHICH HAD CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED NOR DID THE SEAT BELT TIGHTEN UP TO RESTRAIN MY WIFE, WHICH RESULTED IN HER IMPACTING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 29, 2000 · crash

2000 Isuzu Amigo — common questions

Is the 2000 Isuzu Amigo reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 Amigo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints).

Does the 2000 Isuzu Amigo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Isuzu Amigo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.