Isuzu

Trooper

Special Purpose Vehicles · model years 1984 to 2002

Includes Trooper, Trooper 2WD and Trooper 4WD as listed by the EPA.

See all 54 Trooper trims

The verdict

Best year: 2002. complaints: 12, below this model's typical 35; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 1991. complaints: 57, above this model's typical 47; recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Isuzu Trooper
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1984	2Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1984
1985	1Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	3Diesel, Gas	17	$3,950	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	2Diesel, Gas	19.5	$4,150	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	2Gas	15	$4,450	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	3Gas	15	$4,450	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	4Gas	15	$4,150	2	23	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%, POWER TRAIN 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 23, below this model's typical 47 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	4Gas	15	$4,150	2	57	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%, POWER TRAIN 18%, WHEELS 12%
complaints: 57, above this model's typical 47 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 15 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	4Gas	15	$4,150	2	25	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 30%, POWER TRAIN 11%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 11%
complaints: 25, below this model's typical 47 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	4Gas	15	$4,150	2	33	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%, TIRES 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 33, below this model's typical 47 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	4Gas	15	$4,150	2	47	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%, TIRES 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 47, in line with this model's typical 47 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	4Gas	14.5	$4,300	1	54	SUSPENSION 15%, AIR BAGS 12%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%
complaints: 54, above this model's typical 47 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 56 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	2Gas	14.5	$4,300	2	51	SUSPENSION 21%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 51, about 2.1x this model's typical 24 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 26 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	2Gas	14.5	$4,300	2	13	POWER TRAIN 25%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%
complaints: 13, below this model's typical 24 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	2Gas	15	$4,150	1	42	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 40%, POWER TRAIN 13%, TIRES 8%
complaints: 42, about 1.8x this model's typical 24 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 43 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	2Gas	15	$4,150	0	81	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 55%, POWER TRAIN 8%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%
complaints: 81, about 3.4x this model's typical 24 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 31 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	3Gas	15	$4,150	2	49	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 40%, POWER TRAIN 10%, AIR BAGS 7%
complaints: 49, above this model's typical 35 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	3Gas	15	$4,150	1	29	POWER TRAIN 21%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%
complaints: 29, below this model's typical 35 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	3Gas	15	$4,150	0	12	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 33%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25%, POWER TRAIN 17%
complaints: 12, below this model's typical 35 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 90 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1984: 18 to 2002: 15

Owner complaints1990: 23 to 2002: 12

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Isuzu Trooper to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.