AI Damage1989 Isuzu I Mark: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Isuzu I Mark filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (40% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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.
The ecu has caused erratic engine behaviour and complete engine failure leaving us stranded on numerous occasions. Mechanics have been unable to resolve the issue and the vehicle has been untrustworthy over it's entire life.
Erratic idle, idle revving and dropping, idle dipping often with engine dying, idle hanging high above 2,000 rpm, and engine dying or stalling for no reason with no trouble codes
Sometimes it goes up, sometimes it goes down, ranging anywhere from near-stall to 3000 rpm. It does this every time the car is turned on when cold, only occasionally after it is warmed up.
Ecu has failed, causing erractic idle/ vehicles stalling. Please provide further information.
Rear seat belts have failed, seat belts will not retract from its position, both seat belt needs replacement. Tt
The front brake pads when changed later they come off in a year different . Tt
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 10,921 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the I Mark has 3 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 10, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- 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 1989 Isuzu I Mark?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (50%), A/C or heater (10%), engine failure or replacement (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Isuzu I Mark?
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 1989 Isuzu I Mark 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 1989 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 2026-11-06.