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1988 Isuzu Pickup

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 Pickup.

The 1988 Isuzu Pickup represents a compact truck offering from Isuzu during this model year, with the vehicle registering minimal owner feedback through available records—totaling just three complaints across the model run, with tires noted as the primary concern, alongside a single recall issued. This complaint figure is notably low when contextualized against the model's broader history, which tracked owner concerns from 1992 to 1995, a period during which complaints ranged from a low of six in 1993 to a high of 21 in 1994, suggesting that the 1988 model year falls within a relatively trouble-free segment of the pickup's production timeline.

Model year1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 · 80W-90 · 85W-90 in the differential, GM Part No. 12377967 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	GM Part No. 12377967
Differential Gear Oil	GL-5 · 80W-90 · 85W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	5W-30 · API
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	1.6 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Cross Shaft (lubricate)
At 15,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cruise Control System (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Radiator (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)
Every 90,000 mi	Oxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1988 Isuzu Pickup predates the provided federal record, which covers 1992 through 1995, so direct year-to-year comparison is limited. Across the documented arc, complaints fell to a low of 6 in 1993 before jumping to 21 in 1994, while recalls and investigations each climbed to 2 in 1994 and 1995; TSBs, meanwhile, trended downward from 5 to 3 over the same period. For the 1988 model specifically, federal data shows only three complaints total, split evenly among tires, hydraulic service brakes, and the gasoline fuel system, with zero crash-related and zero fire-related complaints. Because the data does not specify root causes or defect rates for those three complaints, the record is too sparse to identify a meaningful pattern. Relative to the busier 1994–1995 model years, the 1988 sample appears quiet, though that partly reflects older, lower reporting volume rather than proven reliability. Given the minimal federal footprint and absence of crash or fire complaints in the data, 1988 looks like a reasonable candidate for a used-truck purchase, provided a thorough pre-purchase inspection confirms the condition of the tires, brakes, and fuel system.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92 ’93 ’94 ’95

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Tires1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
IB13-R-001G	2023-05-08	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the…
WB13-X-001B	2022-08-30	Equipment	Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
WB13-X-001A	2022-08-02	Equipment	Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
SB0012S002	2000-03-01	Equipment	THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES THE DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING…