The Isuzu Hombre has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1996–2000. On average a defect was admitted 2 years after the car was built, the slowest took 7 years. The most recalled system is Visibility (3 campaigns). Owners also filed 95 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Isuzu Hombre
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Visibility 3 Read
What's wrong. On certain pickup trucks with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all
Risk. If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727
What's wrong. On certain pickup trucks with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all
Risk. If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727
What's wrong. The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212
Fix. All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%
Equipment 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles were built with incorrect payload information on the vehicle certification label. The payload shown on the label is greater than the maximum validated payload. If the vehicle were loaded to the incorrectly labeled payload, it may not ride and handle in the manner that the driver expects
Risk. This could result in a loss of control of the vehicle or an inability to stop the vehicle within expected stopping distances
Fix. Owners will be sent a new label for installation on the driver's door of the vehicle
Electrical System 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Seat Belts 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: extended cab pickup trucks equipped with 60/40 front bench seats and extended cab pickup trucks and 2-door utility vehicles equipped with manual locking recliner bucket seats. The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact
Risk. If a separation occurred and there were secondary crash events or vehicle rollover, there would be no belt restraint of the occupant and increased injuries could occur
Fix. Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: light duty passenger pickup trucks equipped with 4.3l engines. The front brake line can contact the left-hand side of the engine oil pan causing the brake line to wear to the point of brake fluid loss during brake application
Risk. Brake fluid loss can reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning
Fix. Dealers will inspect the clearance between the oil pan and the brake line. If the clearance is 6mm or less, dealers will install an additional brake line clip and if there was contact between the oil pan and brake line, the front brake line will be replaced
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. A brazilian domestic headlamp was inadvertently installed on these vehicles instead of the required u.s. Domestic assembly. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: reduced lighting from these head lamps can cause a visibility problem increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will inspect both the left and right head lamp assemblies for presence of the aiming pads. If the head lamp assembly does note have these aiming pads, it will be replaced with the correct head lamp assembly
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 2 years |
| Slowest campaign | 7 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 25% |
| Campaigns on record | 8 |
Which Hombre years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Equipment | |
| 1998 | Electrical System | |
| 1997 | Visibility | |
| 1996 | Visibility |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Isuzu Hombre have?
8 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1996–2000. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Hombre still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 2 years, and the slowest campaign came 7 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.