Isuzu Hombre Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Isuzu Hombre model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2000 drew the fewest (7) and the 1998 the most (53).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 1 | Air bags | — | — |
| 1997 Among the fewest complaints |
25 | 3 | Visibility | — | — |
| 1996 Among the fewest complaints |
37 | 4 | Visibility | — | — |
| 1998 Among the most complaints |
53 | 1 | Visibility | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Isuzu Hombre years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1998 Isuzu Hombre: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 23 (43%); Engine and engine cooling 8 (15%); Service brakes 5 (9%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
1996 Isuzu Hombre: 37 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 20 (54%); Engine and engine cooling 4 (11%); Service brakes 4 (11%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. 4 recall campaigns listed.
1997 Isuzu Hombre: 25 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 12 (48%); Engine and engine cooling 3 (12%); Service brakes 3 (12%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Isuzu Hombre years with the fewest complaints
2000 Isuzu Hombre: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (29%); Service brakes 2 (29%); Electrical system 1 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. 1 recall campaign listed.
1997 Isuzu Hombre: 25 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 12 (48%); Engine and engine cooling 3 (12%); Service brakes 3 (12%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury. 3 recall campaigns listed.
1996 Isuzu Hombre: 37 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility 20 (54%); Engine and engine cooling 4 (11%); Service brakes 4 (11%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Isuzu Hombre owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 53 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 57,000 |
| 1997 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Isuzu Hombre recalls
- ISUZU/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR (1996–1997 model years; 14,860 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2003; 03V210000)
- ISUZU/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING (1996 model year; 8,925 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 1998; 98V150002)
- ISUZU/CERTIFICATION LABEL (2000 model year; 3,672 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2000; 00V258002)
- ISUZU/SAFETY BELT WEBBING (1997 model year; 3,106 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1997; 97V096002)
- ISUZU/LIGHTING:LAMP OR SOCKET:HEAD LIGHTS (1996 model year; 1,547 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 1996; 96V059001)
All 8 Isuzu Hombre recall campaigns · Isuzu Hombre problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Isuzu Hombre years FAQ
Which Isuzu Hombre year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2000 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (7). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Isuzu Hombre years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1998, 1996 and 1997 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the visibility. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Isuzu Hombre problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the visibility (55 of 122 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Isuzu Hombre have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the Isuzu Hombre. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Isuzu Hombre recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.