1990 Isuzu Trooper Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Isuzu Trooper, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine622.2%
- Body & structure311.1%
- Electrical311.1%
- Transmission311.1%
- Tires & wheels27.4%
- Brakes27.4%
- Fuel system27.4%
- Interior & seats13.7%
- Powertrain (other)13.7%
- Seat belts13.7%
- Steering13.7%
- Heating & air conditioning13.7%
- Driver assistance13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER, STANDARD, INTENSIFIES ITS REVS IN IDLE SUDDENLY. SOMETIMES IT GOES UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN... AND I CAN SEE HOW THE TEMP GAUGE RISES QUICKLY. MY MOMENTARY SOLUTION IN SUCH CASES IS TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND WAIT, SOMETIMES THIS LEAVES ME SOME MINUTES UNTIL IT STARTS REVVING UP AND DOWN AGAIN. NO INJURIES SO FAR, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN USING THE TRUCK MUCH FOR THIS SAME REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ID THE CAUSE SO THAT MY MECHANIC CAN SOLVE IT. *NM
ENGINE FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOOR RUSTED OUT DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. DRAIN HOLES WERE NOT DRILLED. CONSEQUENTLY WATER WAS CAPTURED AND DOOR RUSTED OUT. COULD PRESENT A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK
EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, THE CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND TURNED AROUND INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND THE TROOPER ROLLED OVER ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE. CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER IS EXHIBITING DANGEROUS REVVING AND DROPPING OF THE IDLE. THE TRUCK ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ECU IN THESE TRUCKS IS FAULTY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND FORCE ISUZU TO REPAIR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT THE CONSUMERS'. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INSTRUCTING ISUZU TO CONTACT ME WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO BE REPAIRED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. SEVERAL GARAGES SAID THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ISUZU MUST RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NLM
CONSUMER PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. STOPPED VEHICLE , TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND SAW FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE; THINK IT IS IN RELATION TO TRANSMISSION DIP STICK LEAK. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, PULLED OFF TO REST STOP, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE AS SLOWING DOWN, AT REST STOP, OBSERVED FLAMES COMING THROUGH CREVICE OF VEHICLE, ANOTHER MOTORIST USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP. WAS INFORMED SEAL WENT OUT IN TRANSMISSION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. SEARS, TRAIL HANDLER, SIZE#P235/75/R15, DOT#3DHLLBE488. *AK
THE BACK LEFT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE (STEEL SHOWING) CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND RUN ACROSS THE S/B LANE OF TRAFFIC AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, THE VEHICLE THE OVERTURNED GOING OVER THE GOUARDRAIL DOWN INTO A CREEK BED, THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED REAR OVER FRONT ONE COMPLETE TIME, ALL 4 OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED (BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1M0254, LEFT REAR). NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 15MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND HEARD LOUD GRINDING NOISES, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. ISUZU REP TOLD OWNER THAT THE BRAKES ARE STILL SAFE. *AK *ML
ENGINE HEAD CRACKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LINE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.
DUE TO THE HOSE LYING AGAINST THE MANIFOLD AND MELTING IT BURST WHILE DRIVING, COMPONENT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AS A RECALL HOWEVER FAILED AFTER REPAIR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING A REAREND COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVE SHAFT FELL WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL, THE CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND TURNED AROUND INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND THE TROOPER ROLLED OVER ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE. CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE HEAD CRACKED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER IS EXHIBITING DANGEROUS REVVING AND DROPPING OF THE IDLE. THE TRUCK ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ECU IN THESE TRUCKS IS FAULTY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND FORCE ISUZU TO REPAIR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT THE CONSUMERS'. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INSTRUCTING ISUZU TO CONTACT ME WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO BE REPAIRED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. SEVERAL GARAGES SAID THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ISUZU MUST RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .