The Isuzu I-Mark spans 1981–1989 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1989, 1987, 1986 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1984. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Isuzu I-Mark is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1989 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Isuzu I-Mark by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Isuzu I-Mark — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Isuzu I-Mark VIN — every digit explained
Every Isuzu I-Mark carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this I-Mark.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your I-Mark VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Isuzu I-Mark have?
The Isuzu I-Mark has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1989. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1988 Isuzu I-Mark recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. Perforation of the fuel tank or attached fuel feed pipe due to corrosion of the tank or fuel feed pipe materials.
Risk. This condition could allow fuel to leak from the fueltank and ultimately result in a fire without prior warning. Such a fire couldspread to the passenger compartment.
Fix. Replace gas tank with new corrosion resistant tank.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
What's wrong. The positive crankcase ventilation valve may provide inadequate air flow under low engine load conditions.
Risk. This condition can allow water/oil mixture to build upin the hose from the oil separator to the air inlet duct. After the engine isstopped, this water/oil mixture can, under cold weather conditions, freeze andcompletely block the oil separator air duct hose. This blockage will result inincreased pressure within the crankcase. This can cause oil leaks. If asufficient quantity of oil came in contact with the hot exhaust system an enginecompartment fire could result without prior warning.
Fix. The pcv valve will be replaced with a new valve.
1987 Isuzu I-Mark recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. Perforation of the fuel tank or attached fuel feed pipe due to corrosion of the tank or fuel feed pipe materials.
Risk. This condition could allow fuel to leak from the fueltank and ultimately result in a fire without prior warning. Such a fire couldspread to the passenger compartment.
Fix. Replace gas tank with new corrosion resistant tank.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
What's wrong. The positive crankcase ventilation valve may provide inadequate air flow under low engine load conditions.
Risk. This condition can allow water/oil mixture to build upin the hose from the oil separator to the air inlet duct. After the engine isstopped, this water/oil mixture can, under cold weather conditions, freeze andcompletely block the oil separator air duct hose. This blockage will result inincreased pressure within the crankcase. This can cause oil leaks. If asufficient quantity of oil came in contact with the hot exhaust system an enginecompartment fire could result without prior warning.
Fix. The pcv valve will be replaced with a new valve.
1986 Isuzu I-Mark recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. Vehicle may experience perforation of the fuel pump diaphragm. Excessive alcohol content in the fuel promotes degradation of the diaphragm coating resulting in radial cracking of the diaphragm.
Risk. A perforated diaphragm can allow fuel to leak from thefuel pump into the underhood area. This could ultimately result in anunderhood fire without prior warning. Such a fire could spread to thepassenger compartment.
Fix. A fuel ventalation hose kit will be installed to prevent fuel from escaping into the engine compartment if the fuel pump diaphragm leaks and thereby reduce the possibility of an underhood fire.
1985 Isuzu I-Mark recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. Vehicle may experience perforation of the fuel pump diaphragm. Excessive alcohol content in the fuel promotes degradation of the diaphragm coating resulting in radial cracking of the diaphragm.
Risk. A perforated diaphragm can allow fuel to leak from thefuel pump into the underhood area. This could ultimately result in anunderhood fire without prior warning. Such a fire could spread to thepassenger compartment.
Fix. A fuel ventalation hose kit will be installed to prevent fuel from escaping into the engine compartment if the fuel pump diaphragm leaks and thereby reduce the possibility of an underhood fire.
1983 Isuzu I-Mark recalls 1
Steering:column
What's wrong. The tilt steering wheel lock mechanism that holds the steering wheel in place may break. Failure of the locking mechanism would allow the steering wheel to tilt, unrestrained. The wheel may travel to the high or low position.
Fix. The dealer will replace the steering tilt locking pin with a new pin at no charge.
Best and worst years for the Isuzu I-Mark
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 9 tracked years, the worst years are 1989, 1987, 1986 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1984.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 I-Mark | 0 | — | Best |
| 1982 I-Mark | 0 | — | Best |
| 1983 I-Mark | 1 | Seat Belts | Average |
| 1984 I-Mark | 0 | — | Best |
| 1985 I-Mark | 1 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Average |
| 1986 I-Mark | 1 | Seat Belts | Avoid |
| 1987 I-Mark | 2 | Electrical System | Avoid |
| 1988 I-Mark | 0 | — | Average |
| 1989 I-Mark | 10 | Electrical System | Avoid |
What are the most common Isuzu I-Mark problems?
The most-reported Isuzu I-Mark problems are Hydraulic (1 reports), Seat Belts (4 reports) and Power Train (2 reports) — out of 15 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Electrical System 5 Read
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. Many times the ignition system has failed in traffic with our babies in the car leaving us stranded in the heat. This unit should be recalled. It would be nice to have some of the hundreds spent on mis-diagnosis, motel bill's and towing service, etc. Reimbursed by gm/delco -isuzu. Please contact me if necessary. Dt
The computer in this car causes for an extremely erratic idle. When the vehicle is first turned on, the idle speed is normal and steady for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then all bets are off. 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. I would try repairing it, but i have a great deal of experience with this engine/ecu combination, and almost all of them (including dealer-supplied replacement ecus, which are frightfully expensive) do this. Thankfully, i am aware of this problem, so when i am in close quarters with a cold engine, i keep my foot on the clutch, ready to spring into action. The car, despite it's mileage, has been very well-taken care of, and has a great deal of power. One time when the power hit (in first gear, coasting with my foot off the gas), it actually spun the tires. Spinning the tires with your foot off the gas is not what i would call a safe condition, especially given that most of them do it. Weren't all the audis recalled for something like this back in the 80's? Please contact me if you would like any more information.*ak
Ecu has failed, causing erractic idle/ vehicles stalling. Please provide further information. *ak
Engine revs up to 2500 rpms while in neutral, then when it's put into gear it will stall out. Mechanic says its the ecu. Problem is hard to duplicate. *ak
This is the second ecu to go bad. Causes engine to rev, die, sputter,etc. Makes driving very difficult and dangerous when happens!
Seat Belts 4 Read
Rear seat belts have failed, seat belts will not retract from its position, both seat belt needs replacement. Tt
All the seat belts in the car failed to latch. The owner has written a letter to congressman also spoke to dealer nothing happened. Tt
Rear left passenger side seat lap belt failure, cannot pull lap belt out of its housing. *ak
Driver's seat belt retractor failed, also belt plastic piece which holds belt cracked. *skd
Engine And Engine Cooling 3 Read
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
Ecu has failed, causing erractic idle/ vehicles stalling. Please provide further information. *ak
I have had numerous problems with the car since i bought it. The dealer that i bought the car from said he had fixed the problems, but hadn't. I asked for my money back because i haven't had the car for 20 days yet, and he refused. The car has been broken down ever since i bought the car. The dealer will not do anymore for me. He did not tell me there was anything wrong with the car when i bought it. No safety defect listed in the summary. *ak
Vehicle Speed Control 2 Read
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
Engine revs up to 2500 rpms while in neutral, then when it's put into gear it will stall out. Mechanic says its the ecu. Problem is hard to duplicate. *ak
Power Train 2 Read
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
I have had numerous problems with the car since i bought it. The dealer that i bought the car from said he had fixed the problems, but hadn't. I asked for my money back because i haven't had the car for 20 days yet, and he refused. The car has been broken down ever since i bought the car. The dealer will not do anymore for me. He did not tell me there was anything wrong with the car when i bought it. No safety defect listed in the summary. *ak
Service Brakes 1 Read
The front brake pads when changed later they come off in a year different . Tt
Hydraulic 1 Read
The front brake pads when changed later they come off in a year different . Tt
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Isuzu I-Mark specifications & dimensions
The 1989 Isuzu I-Mark. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Isuzu I-Mark cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the I-Mark holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Isuzu I-Mark tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Isuzu I-Mark get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Isuzu I-Mark have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Isuzu I-Mark cost to own?
A Isuzu I-Mark depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this I-Mark loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the I-Mark ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Isuzu I-Mark safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the I-Mark yet.
How many miles does a Isuzu I-Mark last?
A well-maintained Isuzu I-Mark typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Decode your Isuzu I-Mark’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Isuzu I-Mark model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Isuzu I-Mark — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 I-Mark | 0 | — | — |
| 1988 I-Mark | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 1987 I-Mark | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 1986 I-Mark | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1985 I-Mark | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1984 I-Mark | 0 | — | — |
| 1983 I-Mark | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1982 I-Mark | 0 | — | — |
| 1981 I-Mark | 0 | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the I-Mark?
By owner-complaint volume, 1989, 1987, 1986 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1984 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the I-Mark have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1989. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a I-Mark last?
A well-maintained I-Mark typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the I-Mark reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the I-Mark is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Isuzu I-Mark warranty?
New Isuzu models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Isuzu dealer.
Where is the Isuzu I-Mark made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your I-Mark's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Isuzu may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the I-Mark have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.