The Isuzu IMPULSE spans 1981–1992 with 8 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1991, 1990, 1985 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1981, 1982, 1983. It delivers up to 26 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Isuzu IMPULSE a good car?
Short answer: yes, with the usual caveat about model years. Our score for the Isuzu IMPULSE is 4.0 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the electrical system — 13 of the 38 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1981, 1982, 1983 score best in our data, and 1991, 1990 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
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 IMPULSE is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1992 across multiple generations.
How to read a Isuzu IMPULSE VIN — every digit explained
Every Isuzu IMPULSE 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. Tells you it's a Isuzu and the country it was built in (real Isuzu codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this IMPULSE.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJ81 · J8Z · JAA · JAB · JAC · JAE
- USA4S1 · 4S2 · 4S6
- CanadaJ87
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. Run it through our free VIN lookup to turn those digits into a model year, an assembly plant and a country of origin.
How many recalls does the Isuzu IMPULSE have?
The Isuzu IMPULSE has 8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1992. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1992 Isuzu IMPULSE recalls 1
Air Bags
What's wrong. THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Risk. FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Fix. A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
1991 Isuzu IMPULSE recalls 1
Air Bags
What's wrong. THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Risk. FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Fix. A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
1990 Isuzu IMPULSE recalls 1
Air Bags
What's wrong. THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB CAN FRACTURE DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL AND NEAR FRONTAL VEHICLE COLLISIONS.
Risk. FRACTURING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB CAN DECREASE THEDRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD REDUCE THE CRASH PROTECTION OF THESTEERING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG.
Fix. A STEERING WHEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND NUT WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB.
1985 Isuzu IMPULSE recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AT THE REAR AXLE AND FUEL TANK RETAINING BAND IS NOT WIDE ENOUGH AND ALLOWS THE LINE TO CONTACT THE BAND DURING SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS. CONTINUED CONTACT MAY CAUSE THE DAMAGED BRAKE LINE TO RESTRICT THE FLOW OF BRAKE FLUID, OR RUPTURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID OR RESTRICTION OF BRAKE FLUID FLOW RESULTS IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY OF REAR WHEEL WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Fix. REPLACE BRAKE LINE AND REROUTE TO ELIMINATE CONTACT.
1983 Isuzu IMPULSE recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. BOLT LOCATED IN REAR BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT BE SECURELY FASTENED. THE BOLT MAY COME OFF AND BRAKING ACTION COULD BECOME IMPAIRED.
Fix. UPON INSPECTION, BOLTS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Best and worst years for the Isuzu IMPULSE
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 12 tracked years, the worst years are 1991, 1990, 1985 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1981, 1982, 1983.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 IMPULSE | — | Best | |
| 1982 IMPULSE | — | Best | |
| 1983 IMPULSE | — | Best | |
| 1984 IMPULSE | Fuel System | Average | |
| 1985 IMPULSE | Fuel System | Avoid | |
| 1986 IMPULSE | — | Average | |
| 1987 IMPULSE | — | Average | |
| 1988 IMPULSE | Structure | Average | |
| 1989 IMPULSE | Electrical System | Average | |
| 1990 IMPULSE | Vehicle Speed Control | Avoid | |
| 1991 IMPULSE | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 1992 IMPULSE | — | Average |
What are the most common Isuzu IMPULSE problems?
The most-reported Isuzu IMPULSE problems are Air (1 reports), Other (1 reports) and Gasoline (1 reports) — out of 38 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:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Isuzu IMPULSE specifications & dimensions
The 1992 Isuzu IMPULSE. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Isuzu IMPULSE window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Isuzu IMPULSE cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the IMPULSE holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 83 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Isuzu IMPULSE 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 IMPULSE get?
The Isuzu IMPULSE returns up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,400/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1992 Isuzu IMPULSE (1.8L 4-cyl) gets 24 mpg combined and costs about $2,600/yr to fuel, emitting 370 g/mi CO₂ — about $2,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 IMPULSE | 21 | 29 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 IMPULSE | 23 | 30 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 IMPULSE | 23 | 31 | $2,400 | 342 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 IMPULSE | 19 | 25 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 IMPULSE | 19 | 25 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 IMPULSE | 18 | 25 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 IMPULSE | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 IMPULSE | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1984 IMPULSE | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the IMPULSE stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this IMPULSE's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Isuzu IMPULSE have? Power & range
The Isuzu IMPULSE is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Isuzu IMPULSE cost to own?
A Isuzu IMPULSE depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used IMPULSE is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this IMPULSE loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the IMPULSE 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 IMPULSE safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the IMPULSE yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a Isuzu IMPULSE last?
A well-maintained Isuzu IMPULSE 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 4.0/5.
Check your Isuzu IMPULSE’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this IMPULSE’s VIN free →All Isuzu IMPULSE model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Isuzu IMPULSE — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1991 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1990 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1989 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1988 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1987 IMPULSE | 0 | — | |
| 1986 IMPULSE | 0 | — | |
| 1985 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1984 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1983 IMPULSE | 1 recall | — | |
| 1982 IMPULSE | 0 | — | |
| 1981 IMPULSE | 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 IMPULSE?
By owner-complaint volume, 1991, 1990, 1985 drew the most reports. 1981, 1982, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the IMPULSE have?
8 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1992. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Isuzu recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the IMPULSE get?
Up to 26 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a IMPULSE last?
A well-maintained IMPULSE typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the IMPULSE reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the IMPULSE is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Isuzu IMPULSE 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 IMPULSE made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your IMPULSE'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 IMPULSE 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.