1990 Isuzu Impulse problems

Common 1990 Isuzu Impulse problems

The Isuzu Impulse, produced from 1980 to 1993, was a sporty 3-door liftback coupe with two generations. The first generation, produced from 1980 to 1990, offered turbo engines of 2.0L and naturally aspirated engines of 2.0L and 2.2L, with power ranging from 150 hp to close to 200 hp. Despite its sporty nature, the Impulse has faced several issues, as reported by its owners.

• Engine Stalling and Misfiring: Some owners of the 1990 Isuzu Impulse with the 2.8V6 engine have reported occasional stalling and misfiring, particularly when idling at stoplights. This issue can be caused by various factors, such as faulty ignition components, vacuum leaks, or issues with the engine control module (ECM).

• Exhaust Restriction: Dyno testing has shown that 2 1/4 inch diameter exhaust pipes can cause restrictions in exhaust flow, leading to a loss of power at all engine speeds, but particularly at mid-range and upper engine speeds. This issue is more pronounced in larger engines, such as the 2.0, 2.2, and 2.4 liter engines found in the Impulse.

• Fuel Rail Downgrade: Some aftermarket fuel rails sold for common, mundane cars have a smaller cross-sectional area compared to the stock Isuzu fuel rail on the 1990-93 Impulse's 1.6 and 1.8 liter engines. This can lead to insufficient fuel flow, particularly when using aftermarket tuning parts.

• Underpowered Base Versions: The base versions of the Isuzu Impulse, powered by 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter engines, have been criticized for being underpowered, with some models producing as little as 95 hp (71 kW). This can negatively impact the car's performance, particularly in terms of acceleration and top speed.

• Design and Suspension Issues: The design of the Isuzu Impulse, particularly the pre-facelift models with pop-up headlight covers, has been criticized for being dull and unattractive.

These issues, while not affecting all Isuzu Impulse models, have been reported by some owners and can impact the car's performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction.

1990 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:

• Vehicle speed control problems
• Seat belts problems
• Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Isuzu Impulse vehicle components and the number of complaints received.