1998 Isuzu Hombre problems & reliability
53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Isuzu Hombre. 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.
4 complaints report injuries (5 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1998 Isuzu Hombre vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes 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 → | 23 | 43% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 15% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 8% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 6% |
| Equipment | 3 | 6% |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 6% |
| Seats | 2 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 15 reported components →Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 23 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 57,000 miles (middle 50% between 37,000 and 80,070 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I have had 3 toyo tires bubble and separate in the last 4 months and toyo will not take responsibility. I feel that their tires are dangerous and need to be tested.”
Tires · filed Jun 8, 2016
“On multiple occasions when going to stop at a light or stop sign, no matter what speed, the brake pedal gives resistance, it sounds like there is grinding of metal, and the truck does not stop instead it slows down until it reaches the stop. I have replaced the whole braking system yet the problem still occurs. It is…”
Service Brakes · filed Nov 24, 2015
“Between 96,000 and 97000 miles, the engine shut down 3 times, as if someone had turned the key off. First time turning a corner. Two other times, while driving 45 and 60mph. No control over vehicle. Very lucky nobody near me, or someone probably would have been severely injured. Problem fixed, by butitta auto 6765…”
Electrical System · filed Mar 7, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
33 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 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
The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number…
IB09-X-004C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2022
The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the…
IB09-X-002B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 20, 2022
This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.
05-06-04-035D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 9, 2014
Special policy adjustment catalytic converter and front exhaust pipe. *eh update. *tt
0503002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2005
J44551 air conditioner suction screen kit repair recommendations and procedures after compression failures. *tt
0412S003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2004
Service engine soon (ses) light illuminated, diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0420 set. *tt
0403S001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 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
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
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1998 Isuzu Hombre in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
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 1998 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.
- · Among complaints with usable mileage, the median reported incident mileage was 57,000 miles. This does not predict when a particular vehicle will develop a problem.