AI Damage1997 Isuzu Hombre: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Isuzu Hombre filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 52% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Visibility: 13 complaints (52% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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).
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.
The windshield wipers suddenly quit working while driving in a rain storm, resulting in poor visibility, and almost caused an accident. Recall 03v210000 was issued for windshield wiper motor.
Consumer was complaining about fans that split and break apart. This occurred on three separate occasions. Fans were being replaced every 30,000 miles to 40,000 miles. Manufacturer replaced the radiator, but would not replace the fans or the fan clutch.
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.
Also notice da loud grinding sound when this occurred dealer notifed and nothing could be found.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,448 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Hombre has 31 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 25, below average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Isuzu Hombre?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (12%), brake failure (4%), knocking, grinding or other noise (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Isuzu Hombre from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.