1997 Isuzu Hombre problems & reliability
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1997 Isuzu Hombre vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility → | 12 | 48% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 12% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 12% |
| Power Train | 2 | 8% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 1 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 4% |
| Structure | 1 | 4% |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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”
Visibility · filed Apr 3, 2006
“The right tailgate cable on my 1997 isuzu hombre xs pickup truck broke. The left tailgate cable on my pickup truck broke last year. Luckily, it did not cause injury. This model was made by chevrolet (it''s sister model is the chevy s-10). I understand the full-size pickups by chevrolet have been recalled for the same…”
Structure · filed Mar 18, 2004
“My isuzu windshield wiper recall. I have gone to isuzu many times to get these wipers fixed cause they turn off when I have them on. These people state that they didnt think there were a lot of cars that would have been recalled so they didnt order a lot of parts. This is my only vehicle and it stinks that the wipers…”
Visibility · filed Feb 14, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Recall Query RQ04002 · opened Feb 18, 2004 · closed May 27, 2004
- WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA02006 · opened May 31, 2002 · closed Jul 23, 2003 · led to recall 03V210000
- SEAT BELT WEBBING SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA97004 · opened Feb 28, 1997 · closed Aug 5, 1997 · led to recall 97V096002
Technical service bulletins
30 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre. The 10 most recent:
This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under…
IB13-R-001G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 8, 2023
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these…
WB13-X-001B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 30, 2022
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these…
WB13-X-001A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 2, 2022
J44551 air conditioner suction screen kit repair recommendations and procedures after compression failures. *tt
0412S003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2004
Harsh 1-2 upshift and malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1870 set. *tt
0405S001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Rough idle after start, and/or a service engine soon (ses) light. *tt
0302S003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2003
Special policy adjustment, sequential central port fuel injection (scpi) failures in california only. *tt
0302S002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2003
Engine/balance shaft rattle sound. *tt
0301S001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2003
Sequential central port fuel injection (scpi) warranty extension for california vehicles. *tt
0202S002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2002
Some customers may comment on a rattle coming from the hood. *slc
SB0111S007 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2001
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Isuzu Hombre has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Isuzu Hombre?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.