1997 Isuzu Hombre: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Isuzu Hombre: 3 recalls, 25 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #97V096002 · 1997 · 3,106 vehicles
What's wrong: The outboard safety belt webbing on the driver's and/or passenger's seat can separate during a frontal impact.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a protective cover over the recliner mechanism.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #97V146002 · 1997 · 684 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Brake fluid loss can reduce braking effectiveness and increase stopping distances resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V210000 · 2003 · 14,860 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began July 14, 2003.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1997 Isuzu Hombre has 25 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 4 Hombre model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 30). Complaints peaked in 2003 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 57,250 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (37 complaints, 4 recalls), 1998 (53 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Isuzu Hombre. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Isuzu Hombre problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (12), brakes (hydraulic) (3), engine & cooling (3).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Isuzu Hombre get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Isuzu Hombre repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.