1988 Isuzu Impulse problems

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The Isuzu Piazza is a small, sporty 3-door liftback coupé which was manufactured by Isuzu from 1981 until 1992 in two generations. The Isuzu Piazza was marketed as the Isuzu Impulse in North America and as the Holden Piazza in Australia.

The first generation Piazza was a rear-wheel drive car, and in the United Kingdom it was the first widely available Isuzu passenger car. The second generation was available as front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It was the basis for the lower-priced Gemini Coupé, known as the Geo Storm in the US market.

As of 2010, the number of registered Impulses in North America totaled only 2,300, making Impulses very rare.

1988 Isuzu Impulse

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Common 1988 Isuzu Impulse problems

The Isuzu Impulse, also known as the Piazza in Australia and Europe, was a sporty 3-door liftback coupe produced by Isuzu from 1981 to 1992. The car was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and was known for its unique design, which was considered a "Copernican revolution" in the car industry. Despite its impressive design and performance, the Isuzu Impulse faced several common problems that affected its popularity and reliability.

One of the most common problems reported by Isuzu Impulse owners was electrical issues. These issues were particularly prevalent in the 1988 model, which was plagued with electrical problems from the moment it was purchased. The electrical problems were so severe that they caused a significant amount of frustration for owners, who often had to deal with malfunctioning components and unreliable performance.

Another issue that affected the Isuzu Impulse was its performance. While the car was marketed as a sporty and powerful vehicle, many owners reported that it was underpowered and lacked the performance they expected. This was particularly true for the non-turbo models, which struggled to deliver the kind of power and acceleration that was expected from a sporty coupe.

The Isuzu Impulse also faced issues related to its manufacturing and design. For example, the car was known for its poor build quality, which was often reflected in the fit and finish of the vehicle. Many owners reported dings, dents, and other cosmetic issues that affected the overall appearance of the car. Additionally, the car's design was criticized for being too unconventional, which made it difficult for buyers to accept and appreciate.

The Isuzu Impulse was also affected by the Japanese economic bubble, which had a significant impact on the car industry. The economic bubble led to a decline in demand for cars, which affected the sales and production of the Isuzu Impulse.

Finally, the Isuzu Impulse faced issues related to safety and emissions. The car was not designed to meet the safety standards of the time, which made it less attractive to buyers who were looking for a safe and reliable vehicle. Additionally, the car's emissions were not up to par with the standards set by the government, which affected its popularity and sales.

In conclusion, the Isuzu Impulse was a unique and innovative vehicle that faced several common problems that affected its popularity and reliability. From electrical issues to poor build quality and underperformance, the car was plagued with a variety of problems that made it difficult for buyers to appreciate and enjoy. Despite its impressive design and performance, the Isuzu Impulse was ultimately unable to overcome these challenges and was eventually discontinued in 1993.

1988 Isuzu Impulse engine

What is the fuel consumption of a 1988 Isuzu Trooper?

15 combined

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1988 Isuzu Trooper
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EPA MPGRegular Gasoline 15 combined city/highway MPG 14 city 17 highway 6.7 gals/100 miles
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What was the last year of the Isuzu Impulse?

The Isuzu Impulse was in production for two generations, from 1983 to 1992. The first-generation Impulse, known as the Isuzu Piazza in Japan, was based on the Isuzu Aska platform. The exterior design was by the famed Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign, giving the car a unique and stylish look for its time.

What engine is in a 1988 Isuzu Trooper?

1988 ISUZU TROOPER, injected 4-cylinder, 2.6 l, 5-speed, 4-wheel drive. Engine code 4ZE1.

What size engine is in the Isuzu Trooper 1988?

4ZE1 Gasoline Gasoline-driven take-off and torque in a quiet, 2,559cc engine. This light- weight powerplant delivers 115 PS of high-performance power at 4,600rpm.

1988 Isuzu Impulse car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Isuzu Impulse problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Structure problems
  • Visibility problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Isuzu Impulse vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1988 Isuzu Impulse complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Isuzu Impulse.

1996-05-09

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-09-30
  • VIN: JABBR07F0J7
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHEEL WELL ROTTED. *SD
1994-11-26

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-06-03
  • VIN: JABBR07L5J7
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. *AK
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1988 Isuzu Impulse problems:

1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo (Lots o' pics) - Mighty Car Mods Official ...
1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo (Lots o' pics) - Mighty Car Mods Official ...
https://forums.mightycarmods.com/forum/members-section/members-rides/25424-1988-isuzu-impulse-turbo-lots-o-pics

Apr 17, 2013 ... 1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo (Lots o' pics). Collapse ... No engine or transmission, broken grille ... I still have problems, even after my surgery ...

MUA-5 Transmission Swap. - Page 4 - Welcome to IsuzuPiazza.com ...
MUA-5 Transmission Swap. - Page 4 - Welcome to IsuzuPiazza.com ...
https://www.isuzupiazza.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1752&start=45

... problem that will arise from it. 1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo. 2005 Ford Crown Victoria LX RIP 1989 Impulse Turbo, aka "Rakete". Top. User avatar.

The Isuzu Impulse is the coolest Japanese sports car you forgot ...
The Isuzu Impulse is the coolest Japanese sports car you forgot ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/phczpo/the_isuzu_impulse_is_the_coolest_japanese_sports/

Sep 3, 2021 ... I had an '88 with the 2.3 non-turbo and Lotus Handling Package (standard '88 onward). ... Early 3.2 Rodeos also had a problem with belts coming ...

Soft brake pedal....Hmmm? | Steering, Suspension and Brakes ...
Soft brake pedal....Hmmm? | Steering, Suspension and Brakes ...
https://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2483256

1988 Isuzu Impulse Turbo: Torn to bits, being built and collecting dust. (2.6L engine, 7670 EFR, MUA-5 trans etc. etc.) Top. #2483319 - 03/18 ...

This Isuzu Impulse Is the United Nations of Sports Cars - eBay ...
This Isuzu Impulse Is the United Nations of Sports Cars - eBay ...
https://www.ebay.com/motors/blog/this-isuzu-impulse-is-the-united-nations-of-sports-cars/

1984n Isuzu ... After GM purchased Lotus in 1986, Isuzu introduced an even sportier suspension on the 1988 Impulse, with a “handling by Lotus” badge on the car.

Other years of Isuzu Impulse

isuzu impulse 1989 photo
Impulse 1989
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isuzu impulse 1990 photo
Impulse 1990
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isuzu impulse 1991 photo
Impulse 1991
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isuzu impulse 1994 photo
Impulse 1994
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isuzu impulse 1984 photo
Impulse 1984
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isuzu impulse 1985 photo
Impulse 1985
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1988 Isuzu Impulse photo