The 1998 Isuzu Hombre carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering front underhood. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Windshield wiper intermittent operation or failure.” Isuzu stopped selling passenger vehicles in the United States after the 2008 model year, though its commercial truck business is still here, which means parts and knowledgeable service have not disappeared the way they did for some discontinued brands. One item matters more than everything else on this list. The 3.2 and 3.5 liter V6 in the Rodeo, Trooper, Amigo, Axiom, and VehiCross uses a rubber timing belt, and on the double overhead cam versions a broken belt bends valves. If you own one of these and cannot document the last belt change, that is the first call to make. The later models are easier: the Ascender is a Chevrolet TrailBlazer, the i-280 through i-370 are Chevrolet Colorados, the Hombre is an S-10, and the Oasis is a Honda Odyssey. For those, the donor brand's parts and specs apply.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Campaign #97V208002 · Nov 25, 1997
Issue: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. AN ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS CLIP CAN MELT AND DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Risk: THE CLIP MATERIAL ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND SUBSEQUENTLY IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS ARE CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED TO THEM UNTIL THE DEALER CAN REROUTE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING-HARNESS.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 Isuzu Hombre.
VISIBILITY
23 NHTSA complaints · 2001-08 → 2010-10
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOT STUCK TO ONE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE OTHER”
“WORKS FINE THEN SUDDENLY STOPS. HAS OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE 1998”
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN RAIN DURING HARD DOWNPOUR”
SEATS
2 NHTSA complaints · 2000-05 → 2000-07
“DRIVER SEAT FAILS TO LOCK IN PLACE, WILL SLIDE BACK WHEN PUSHING ON THE CLUTCH, WHEN THE SEAT SLIDE BACK, DRIVER FOOT COMES OFF THE BRAKES AND CLUTCH CAUSING CONTROL LOST”
“THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WILL NOT ANCHOR PROPERLY. WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, THE SEAT SLIDES BACKWARDS”
EQUIPMENT
3 NHTSA complaints · 2005-06 → 2006-07
“THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FAILED AND DROPPED MY TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD”
“TIRE FLEW UP IN THE AIR AND CAME DOWN ON THE TOP OF ANOTHER CAR, BARELY MISSED GOING THROUGH DRIVERS WINDSHEILD”
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPARE TIRE CABLE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO FALL ONTO THE ROAD AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TIRE BOUNCED HIGH INTO THE AIR AND CRASHED ONTO THE ROOF OF ANOTHER VEHICLE”
AIR BAGS
3 NHTSA complaints · 1998-11 → 2000-03
“BOTH AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) FAILED TO DEPLOY DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE IMPACT”
“VEHICLE SLID DOWNHILL INTO A TREE STUMP AND STOPPED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
“CONSUMER HAD ACCIDENT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH DRIVER”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3 NHTSA complaints · 1999-10 → 2002-05
“WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO CRASH”
“THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN”
“IT IS DIIFFCULT TO BRAKE BECAUSE BECAUSE THE FRONT BRAKES ARE INOPERABLE”
PARKING BRAKE
3 NHTSA complaints · 2001-01 → 2003-06
“PARKING BRAKES FAILED TO PREVENT ROLL BACK ON FLAT SURFACE”
“INTERMITTENTLY EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE”
“THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS ON EVEN THE SMALLEST HILLS”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 NHTSA complaints · 1999-03 → 2014-03
“VEHICLE BACKFIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND LOST POWER WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A TWO-LANE ROAD”
“THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STALLED”
“BETWEEN 96,000 AND 97000 MILES, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN 3 TIMES, AS IF SOMEONE HAD TURNED THE KEY OFF”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace every 75,000 miles or 7 years on the V6 in the Rodeo, Trooper, Amigo, Axiom, and VehiCross. Do the water pump, tensioner, and idlers in the same job, because the labor is nearly all in the access. The double overhead cam version is an interference design, so a failed belt means bent valves rather than a tow. The 2.6 four and the GM and Honda sourced engines in the later rebadges use chains and are not on this schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Isuzu specified 3,750 miles under its severe schedule, which covers towing, short trips, and dusty roads. On engines this old, stay near that number and change at least once a year regardless of miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate every 7,500 miles. On the Trooper, Rodeo, and Amigo, check the tailgate-mounted spare as well. Sun exposure ages it faster than the four tires carrying the truck.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. These are heavy body-on-frame trucks with rear drums on many models, and drum hardware seizes on vehicles that sit.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace every 2 years. On a truck this old it is the cheapest way to protect the master cylinder, the calipers, and the ABS unit.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Change every 30,000 miles, and right away after any deep water crossing. Front and rear differentials and the transfer case each hold their own fluid. Limited-slip rear axles need the friction modifier added when refilled.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Drain and fill every 45,000 miles, or every 30,000 if you tow. Fluid spec follows the drivetrain: Isuzu or Dexron III for the original models, Dexron VI for the GM based Ascender and i-series, and Honda fluid for the Oasis.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Around 60,000 miles on conventional plugs, up to 100,000 on platinum. Rear bank access on the V6 is tight, so this is often worth pairing with other top-end work.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace every 30,000 miles, or every 15,000 if the truck sees dirt roads or trail use.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Every 3 to 5 years. If the timing belt is being done, do the coolant at the same visit, since the water pump comes out either way. Ask the shop to check the radiator and heater hoses while it is drained.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test the battery and alternator once a year and clean the ground straps. Frame grounds corrode on trucks of this age and cause faults that look electrical but are only dirty connections.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1998 Isuzu Hombre reflects Isuzu's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.