The Isuzu VehiCross spans 1999–2002 with 3 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1999, 2001, 2000 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2002, 2000, 2001. It delivers up to 15 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Isuzu VehiCross a good car?
Short answer: yes — this one scores near the top of what we track. Our score for the Isuzu VehiCross is 4.5 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 visibility — 56 of the 67 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 2002, 2000, 2001 score best in our data, and 1999, 2001 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 VehiCross is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1999 to 2002 across multiple generations.
How to read a Isuzu VehiCross VIN — every digit explained
Every Isuzu VehiCross 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 VehiCross.
- 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. You can decode any VIN for free and get the year-code table, the country codes and the exact spots where the number is stamped.
How many recalls does the Isuzu VehiCross have?
The Isuzu VehiCross has 3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1999–2002. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Isuzu VehiCross
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 1999, 2001, 2000 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2002, 2000, 2001.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 VehiCross | Visibility | Avoid | |
| 2000 VehiCross | Visibility | Avoid | |
| 2001 VehiCross | Visibility | Avoid | |
| 2002 VehiCross | — | Best |
What are the most common Isuzu VehiCross problems?
The most-reported Isuzu VehiCross problems are Seats (1 reports), Wheels (1 reports) and Equipment (3 reports) — out of 67 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 VehiCross specifications & dimensions
The 2002 Isuzu VehiCross. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Isuzu VehiCross window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Isuzu VehiCross cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the VehiCross 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 — 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 VehiCross 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 VehiCross get?
The Isuzu VehiCross returns up to 15 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,150/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2001 Isuzu VehiCross (3.5L 6-cyl) gets 15 mpg combined and costs about $4,150/yr to fuel, emitting 592 g/mi CO₂ — about $9,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 VehiCross | 13 | 17 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2000 VehiCross | 13 | 17 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 1999 VehiCross | 13 | 17 | $4,150 | 592 | — | 3.5L 6-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 VehiCross stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this VehiCross's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Isuzu VehiCross have? Power & range
The Isuzu VehiCross is offered with 1 powertrain — 3.5L 6-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.5L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 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.
Can a Isuzu VehiCross tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Isuzu VehiCross is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your VehiCross's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Isuzu VehiCross cost to own?
A Isuzu VehiCross 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% | $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 VehiCross loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $20,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the VehiCross 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 VehiCross safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the VehiCross 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 VehiCross last?
A well-maintained Isuzu VehiCross 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.
Check your Isuzu VehiCross’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this VehiCross’s VIN free →All Isuzu VehiCross model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Isuzu VehiCross — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 VehiCross | 0 | — | |
| 2001 VehiCross | 1 recall | — | |
| 2000 VehiCross | 1 recall | — | |
| 1999 VehiCross | 1 recall | — |
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 VehiCross?
By owner-complaint volume, 1999, 2001, 2000 drew the most reports. 2002, 2000, 2001 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the VehiCross have?
3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1999–2002. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Isuzu recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the VehiCross get?
Up to 15 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a VehiCross last?
A well-maintained VehiCross typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the VehiCross reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the VehiCross is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Isuzu VehiCross 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 VehiCross made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your VehiCross'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 VehiCross 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.