VehicleVerdict

1997 Isuzu Hombre problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Hombre years?

Hombre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted58 complaints1996: 43 complaints1997: 27 complaints1998: 58 complaints2000: 14 complaints
Hombre NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Hombre years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Isuzu Hombre problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers1348%
Engine311%
Brakes311%
Speed Control27%
Transmission27%
Fuel System14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Electrical System14%

Does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre have recalls?

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

03V210000Visibility & WipersJune 2, 2003 · 14,860 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

97V146002BrakesSeptember 11, 1997 · 684 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LOSS CAN REDUCE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

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, THE FRONT BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

97V096002Seat BeltsJune 12, 1997 · 3,106 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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. *JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 3, 2006

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 17, 1997 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP FOR NO REASON. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 8 DIFFERENT TIMES. HAD SOME THINGS REPLACED, BUT NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM WHICH RETURNED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 24, 1996

“THROTTLE STUCK WHEN COMPONENT RIVETED TO THE THROTTLE PLATE BROKE AND LODGED ITSELF IN THE THROTTLE BODY. TRUCK WAS GOING AT 60 MPH. THROTTLE WAS STUCK AT THAT SPEED, DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, TURN IGNITION OFF AND PULL TO SHOULDER/EXIT. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 12, 2003

1997 Isuzu Hombre — common questions

Is the 1997 Isuzu Hombre reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Hombre problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (13 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Isuzu Hombre. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Isuzu Hombre under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Isuzu Hombre years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Hombre years to avoid are 1998. The cleanest record among Hombre years belongs to 2000.

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.