Most common 2002 Isuzu Trooper problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Trooper complaints by model year
Best Trooper years: 2002, 1997, 2001. Years to avoid: 1999. Compare all years →
What 2002 Isuzu Trooper owners say
Engine & cooling
Engine in my 2002 Isuzu Trooper burned up the main rod bearing in piston one due to insufficient oil pressure. Engine had to be replaced. Truck has 79K miles on it and was out of warranty. Isuzu of north America stated nothing would be done via the manufacturer. I replaced the engine myself at a cost of $4800.
When in motion for long periods of time, the vehicle will lose acceleration power. This will continue until consumer is able to pull off the road to restart the engine. The EGR valve has repeatedly been replaced, but the problem is still in existence. Ts
Speed control & acceleration
Motor will rev up when sitting still at a red light and try to lunge forward. I have even had it go 35 miles an hour without my foot even being on the accelerator. I have had my truck to the dealer 3 times now and they keep saying they can not find anything wrong. Unless they can see the vehicle do it they can't fix it. The check engine light does not come on and they say until that happens they don't know what is wrong. Dealer refuses to keep vehicle and drive it until it does it so they can see it. They make it sound like I am making this up. There is a problem and it needs to be fixed. I do not want to be responsible for a accident that I have no control over. The state police says it is illegal to drive a unsafe vehicle on the state highways. I owned a brand new vehicle that is illegal for me to drive on the state highway and Isuzu won't do anything about it. …
When at a complete stop vehicle will start to rev. If consumer does not have foot on brakes vehicle will start to move forward. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.
2002 Isuzu Trooper engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Isuzu Trooper a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Trooper rates better than average: 74% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Trooper at the same age. It is one of the best Trooper years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Isuzu Trooper?
The engine & cooling — 4 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the speed control & acceleration (3) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Isuzu Trooper have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Isuzu Trooper?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 1997 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999. See the full Isuzu Trooper years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Isuzu Trooper problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.