Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 12 | −74% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2001 | 29 | −41% | 1 | Engine | Good |
| 2000 | 49 | 1.1× | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 1999 | 81 | 1.9× | — | Engine | Caution |
| 1998 | 42 | −13% | 1 | Engine | Average |
| 1997 | 13 | −70% | 2 | Transmission | Good |
| 1996 | 51 | 1.3× | 2 | Suspension | Average |
| 1995 | 54 | 1.2× | 1 | Suspension | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Trooper year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Isuzu Trooper problems
Latest Isuzu Trooper recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable can stick so that the engine speed will not immediately decrease upon release of the accelerator pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle cable rubber boot. Owner notification began on May 24, 2004. Owners should contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and automatic transmissions built with tod (torque-on-demand). In certain high speed, frontal crashes, movement of engine compartment components can cause the potential for fuel leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new, reinforced fuel hose assembly. Note: the fuel leakage issue in this recall campaign is not the same as the one addressed in their previous campaign 00v-253.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4-wheel drive and automatic transmissions built with tod (torque-on-demand). In certain high speed frontal crashes, an interior fuel line and fuel hose can be separated, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Dealers will install fuel system shields.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The transfer gearbox flange nuts were not properly installed, causing the nuts to loosen.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect front and rear flange nuts and, if found loose, tighten to specified torque and secured staked at two places.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The left front brake lines were installed improperly at the assembly line resulting in insufficient clearance between the brake line and an upper control arm of the suspension.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the brake line and the upper control arm. If the clearance is not according to specifications, the brake line will be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Isuzu Trooper should you avoid?
1999 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Trooper years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1999.
What is the best year for the Isuzu Trooper?
2002 has the fewest complaints compared with other Trooper years at the same age, followed by 1997 and 2001. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Isuzu Trooper problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (132), transmission & drivetrain (48) and speed control & acceleration (29). Engine complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Isuzu Trooper had?
7 recalls across 1995–2002. The model year with the most is 1996. See all Isuzu Trooper recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.