1998 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 1998 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
- Engine1940.4%
- Tires & wheels510.6%
- Driver assistance48.5%
- Interior & seats36.4%
- Brakes36.4%
- Transmission36.4%
- Visibility24.3%
- Electrical24.3%
- Fuel system24.3%
- Powertrain (other)24.3%
- Airbags24.3%
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
ENGINE IS EXHIBITING ABNORMALLY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. ONE QUART PER 500 MILES. IMMINENT ENGINE FAILURE IF PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED. *TR
USING 1 QT OIL EVERY 450 MILES. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE DUELER 684 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE AS IF THE TIRES WERE UNBALANCED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THERE WAS NO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANY POTHOLES. THE VIN AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE D AND TECHNICIAN REPLACED POWER TRAIN TRANSFER CASE. *AK
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER THAT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER RETAINED THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
AFTER PARKING PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. WHILE SITTING BEHIND STEERING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE IS IDLING VERY HIGH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS YOU START TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE JERKS YOU, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING WHIPLASH. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES AND LOTS OF TIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP, THEY REPLACED THAT, 2 DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR, REPLACED THAT AND ITS STILL ACTING AS THOUGH ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. AS FAR AS THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE THEY WONT TELL US WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THAT. ALSO THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO TAKE OTHERS LIVES. *TR
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE PARKED. A WITNESS STATED THAT FIRE BEGAN UNDER DASH. FIRE MARSHAL DETERMINED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN ELECTRICAL WIRING.*AK
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
AFTER PARKING PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. WHILE SITTING BEHIND STEERING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
BRAKE DISCS ALL HAVE DEEP PITTED SURFACE RUST - BRAKING CAPACITY IS INADEQUATE. *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
WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE IS IDLING VERY HIGH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS YOU START TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE JERKS YOU, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING WHIPLASH. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES AND LOTS OF TIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP, THEY REPLACED THAT, 2 DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR, REPLACED THAT AND ITS STILL ACTING AS THOUGH ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. AS FAR AS THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE THEY WONT TELL US WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THAT. ALSO THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO TAKE OTHERS LIVES. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STARTED JERKING SOON AFTER VEHICLE DIED AND WAS TOWED. TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXPERIENCING POWER WINDOW FAILURE. *YC
WINDSHILED WASHER JETS DO NOT WORK. NLM
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
WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE IS IDLING VERY HIGH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS YOU START TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE JERKS YOU, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING WHIPLASH. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES AND LOTS OF TIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP, THEY REPLACED THAT, 2 DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR, REPLACED THAT AND ITS STILL ACTING AS THOUGH ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. AS FAR AS THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE THEY WONT TELL US WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THAT. ALSO THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO TAKE OTHERS LIVES. *TR
CANNOT TAKE THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. NOT AN EVERYTIME INCIDENT. SOMETIMES THE LOCK ASSEMBLY STOPS AT ACCESSORY WHERE IT WON'T GO FURTHER; SOMETIMES IT GOES TO LOCK AND STILL CANNOT REMOVE KEY. DEALER SAYS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. DEALER ADJUSTED SHIFT LINKAGE. THEN, REMOVED AND REPLACED SHIFTER INTERLOCK CABLE. THEN, REPLACED IGNITION TUMBLEER AND REKEYED TO MATCH EXISTING DOOR LOCKS. UNABLE TO GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION. DEALER HAS REFERRED TO ANOTHER DEALER.*AK
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
WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE IS IDLING VERY HIGH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS YOU START TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE JERKS YOU, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING WHIPLASH. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES AND LOTS OF TIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP, THEY REPLACED THAT, 2 DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR, REPLACED THAT AND ITS STILL ACTING AS THOUGH ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. AS FAR AS THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE THEY WONT TELL US WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THAT. ALSO THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO TAKE OTHERS LIVES. *TR
AFTER SMELLING GAS CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING. IF THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON THE GAS LEAKS. VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER.*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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER THAT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER RETAINED THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE STALLED. SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM CURRENTLY LEASING THE AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE. ON JANUARY 30, 2002 I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY HUSBAND WHEN SUDDENLY I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHOSE DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGNED. BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERN WITH THE SAFTEY OF THIS VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE MANUFACTURER. THANK YOU.*AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
WHILE COMING TO A STOP ANOTHER DRIVER REAR ENDED CONSUMER AND PUSHED CONSUMER ABOUT 70 FT. UP ROAD. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGE'R SEAT FLEW BACK, PASSENGERS SEAT LANDED IN THE BACK SEAT ON TOP OF CCS. CONSUMER BROKE A TOE, AND PASSENGER HIT FOOT ON FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK
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 .