2001 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 2001 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
- Engine921.4%
- Brakes716.7%
- Transmission716.7%
- Driver assistance614.3%
- Fuel system49.5%
- Electrical37.1%
- Powertrain (other)24.8%
- Tires & wheels24.8%
- Exterior lighting12.4%
- Suspension12.4%
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
The contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Trooper. The contact stated while entering and starting the vehicle, he noticed an extreme heat in the interior of the vehicle coming from the engine. The contact proceeded to shift the gear into drive however, while his foot was still on the brake pedal the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact had to pulled up the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times afterwards. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a bypass for the fuel line and brake line failure that needed to be replaced however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause for the heat entering the vehicle from the engine. The mechanic was able repair the vehicle however, the contact was concerned that the heat coming from the engine would eventually destroy the engine and the vehicle would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
MY SUV , ISUZU TROOPER OF 10YEARS, WAS PARKED IN A LIBRARY PARKING GARAGE AND AFTER IGNITION TURNED ON, I PUT IT IN REVERSE GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR RAPIDLY REVERSED AND BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT AND REACT, THE CAR SHOT LIKE A ROCKET TOWARDS THE FRONT , WHILE STILL IN REVERSE GEAR, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES OR STEERING WHEEL, IT RAMMED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND GOT COMPLETELY TOTALED. AIRBAGS OPENED AND FRONT DOORS JAMMED AND I HAD SLIDE TO THE BACK TO ESCAPE. LUCKILY, CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE OR EXPLODE. ( POLICE REPORT VERIFY THAT AFTER CRASH, CAR STILL FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE GEAR AND SUPRISED HOW CAR MOVED TOWARDS THE FRONT). A WEEK AGO, PRIOR TO THIS FREAKY CRASH, ( LUCKILY NO MINORS, SENIORS, HOMELESS WHO USUALLY WALK IN THE PARKING LOT WERE NOT PRESENT, OTHERWISE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE DEATHS) MY CAR DEALERSHIP HAD DONE WORK ON MY CAR FOR NEARLY $1000.00. AND THEY REPLACED MODE SWITCH FOR MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ( THERMOSTAT CHANGED; PISTON COVER CHANGED) AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ROLE IT PLAYED IN MY CAR'S CRASH. I AM PRETTY SURE ITS A MALFUNCTION . IT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED AND FIGURED WHAT ROLE THE ABOVE INSTALLATION PLAYED IN THE CRASH WHICH COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. WAS IT DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART? INSURANCE COMPANY BLAMES IT ON ME AND SAY MY PREMIUMS WILL BE HIGHER SINCE ITS AT FAULT ACCIDENT DESPITE HEARING MY EXPERIENCE AND WITH EVIDENCE OF POLICE REPORT WHICH STATES THAT MY GEAR WAS STILL IN REVERSE. ( AFTER CRASHING HEAD ON AGAINST A CONCRETE PILLAR) THANK YOU FOR KEEPING PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST!
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Trooper. The contact stated while entering and starting the vehicle, he noticed an extreme heat in the interior of the vehicle coming from the engine. The contact proceeded to shift the gear into drive however, while his foot was still on the brake pedal the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact had to pulled up the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times afterwards. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a bypass for the fuel line and brake line failure that needed to be replaced however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause for the heat entering the vehicle from the engine. The mechanic was able repair the vehicle however, the contact was concerned that the heat coming from the engine would eventually destroy the engine and the vehicle would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
2001 ISUZU TROOPER WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND BAD U-JOINT CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY WANT US TO REVIEW THE SAFETY ISSUES**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HAVING 3 SEPARATE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE THE FIRST BEING A BAD U JOINT, THE SECOND BEING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND THE THIRD WAS HAVING TO REPLACE A LONG ENGINE BLOCK. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE ELECTRICAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY REQUESTED A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT AND WAS ULTIMATELY DENIED BY THE DEALER DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS 40,000 MILES OVER THE BASE WARRANTY.*TR
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 YOU STOP AT STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. WHENEVER YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR IT JERKS AND TAKES OFF. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO SHIFT IN GEAR. IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. THE MECHANIC SAID IT HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPED DURING VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. ALSO, ALL POWER FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING BURNT FLUID. THE RADIATOR HAD A LOW COOLING EFFICIENCY. THE ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/30/06. *JB
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
DT: THE CONTACT STATED 2001 ISUZU TROOPER ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE, THEN HE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, IT HESITATED AND SURGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE LEFT BLACK MARKS IN THE DRIVEWAY, WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE CANS AND THROUGH A FENCE IN THE BACKYARD. ALL THIS TIME THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. MEANWHILE ,THE VEHICLE STILL HAD A WIDE OPEN THROTTLE, AND WAS SPINNING IN THE GRASS. FINALLY, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE YARD AND FENCE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED ISUZU, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. THE CAR SUSTAINED $5400.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. THIS FAILURE CAUSED A COLLISION. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, AND REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR MOTOR, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS. BUT, PROBLEM RECURRED.*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
The contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Trooper. The contact stated while entering and starting the vehicle, he noticed an extreme heat in the interior of the vehicle coming from the engine. The contact proceeded to shift the gear into drive however, while his foot was still on the brake pedal the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact had to pulled up the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times afterwards. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a bypass for the fuel line and brake line failure that needed to be replaced however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause for the heat entering the vehicle from the engine. The mechanic was able repair the vehicle however, the contact was concerned that the heat coming from the engine would eventually destroy the engine and the vehicle would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
2001 ISUZU TROOPER FUEL TANK. CUSTOMER WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS**CC THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING GAS. *JB
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
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. ONLY HIGH BEAMS WORKED. HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. I SEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED AND RECALLED ON LATER MODEL ISUZU ASCENDERS AND GM VEHICLES. I BELIEVE ISUZU USED MANY GM PARTS IN THIS TROOPER AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL SO THAT I CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *JS
IN OCTOBER 2004, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, CAR AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED POWER TO 5 MPH. DECELERATION OF AUTOMOBLIE WAS PRETTY RAPID. THE VECHILE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ISUZU DEALERSHIP. A NUMBER OF TESTS WERE RUN, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG WITH THE VECHILE. ON JANUARY 25, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A ISUZU SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATION SENSOR AND SAID THE VECHILE WAS FIXED AND PICKED UP ON JANUARY 27. ON JANUARY 28, THE VECHILE AGAIN LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH. THE VECHILE WAS TOWED AND BROUGHT INTO AN ISUZU DEALERSHIP (SAME DEALERSHIP AS IN OCTOBER). THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY CODES PRESENT AND SAID THE VECHILE WAS FINE- COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. ON JANUARY 31, THE SAME OCCURED. THE VECHILE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. AGAIN IT WAS TOWED TO THE ISUZU SERVICE (SAME SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS JANUARY 25-27). THEY CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THEY CALLED ISUZU MAIN HELP LINE AND STILL HAVE NO ANSWERS. THE ISUZU CORP. SUGGESTED REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY AND IF THAT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, THEN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. STILL NO GUARANTEE THAT THE MENTIONED SERVICES WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. LUCKILY, NO ACCIDENTS YET. VECHILE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND ISUZU WILL NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH LOSS OF POWER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *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
MY SUV , ISUZU TROOPER OF 10YEARS, WAS PARKED IN A LIBRARY PARKING GARAGE AND AFTER IGNITION TURNED ON, I PUT IT IN REVERSE GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR RAPIDLY REVERSED AND BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT AND REACT, THE CAR SHOT LIKE A ROCKET TOWARDS THE FRONT , WHILE STILL IN REVERSE GEAR, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES OR STEERING WHEEL, IT RAMMED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND GOT COMPLETELY TOTALED. AIRBAGS OPENED AND FRONT DOORS JAMMED AND I HAD SLIDE TO THE BACK TO ESCAPE. LUCKILY, CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE OR EXPLODE. ( POLICE REPORT VERIFY THAT AFTER CRASH, CAR STILL FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE GEAR AND SUPRISED HOW CAR MOVED TOWARDS THE FRONT). A WEEK AGO, PRIOR TO THIS FREAKY CRASH, ( LUCKILY NO MINORS, SENIORS, HOMELESS WHO USUALLY WALK IN THE PARKING LOT WERE NOT PRESENT, OTHERWISE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE DEATHS) MY CAR DEALERSHIP HAD DONE WORK ON MY CAR FOR NEARLY $1000.00. AND THEY REPLACED MODE SWITCH FOR MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ( THERMOSTAT CHANGED; PISTON COVER CHANGED) AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ROLE IT PLAYED IN MY CAR'S CRASH. I AM PRETTY SURE ITS A MALFUNCTION . IT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED AND FIGURED WHAT ROLE THE ABOVE INSTALLATION PLAYED IN THE CRASH WHICH COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. WAS IT DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART? INSURANCE COMPANY BLAMES IT ON ME AND SAY MY PREMIUMS WILL BE HIGHER SINCE ITS AT FAULT ACCIDENT DESPITE HEARING MY EXPERIENCE AND WITH EVIDENCE OF POLICE REPORT WHICH STATES THAT MY GEAR WAS STILL IN REVERSE. ( AFTER CRASHING HEAD ON AGAINST A CONCRETE PILLAR) THANK YOU FOR KEEPING PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST!
2001 ISUZU TROOPER WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND BAD U-JOINT CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY WANT US TO REVIEW THE SAFETY ISSUES**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HAVING 3 SEPARATE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE THE FIRST BEING A BAD U JOINT, THE SECOND BEING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND THE THIRD WAS HAVING TO REPLACE A LONG ENGINE BLOCK. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE ELECTRICAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY REQUESTED A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT AND WAS ULTIMATELY DENIED BY THE DEALER DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS 40,000 MILES OVER THE BASE WARRANTY.*TR
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
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY "BRIDGESTONE TIRE" SEPARATED AT THE TREAD AND PEELED OFF LIKE A BANANA AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH! THE TIRE STAYED INTACT AND THE BANDS WITH NO DEFLATION". I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS TIRE WILL BE OR WAS A RECALL. NO ACCIDENT LUCKILY, NO INJURY, LUCKILY BECAUSE IT WAS ON THE BACK PASSENGER. IF IT WAS ON THE FRONT I WOULD OF BEEN SCREWED FOR I WAS MAKING A 60 MILE AN HOUR CURVE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH FREQUENT TRAFFIC RUSH HOUR WITH A TOP HEAVY "ISUZU-TROOPER". THIS TIRE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED!!!!! NEVER , AT AGE 46 , SEEN A TIRE PEEL THE TREAD OFF THE RADIAL BELT LIKE THIS LIKE A RETREAD! MUST SOMEONE DIE OR BE HURT BEFORE "BRIDGESTONE" IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE LIKE IN THE YEAR 2000 WHEN THEY HAD MULTIPLE DEATHS AND LAWSUITS? THANK YOU , PLEASE HELP. *TR
DEALER REPLACED REAR AND FRONT TIRES ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. FIRST TIME AT 15000 MILES, AND THE SECOND TIME AT 22000 MILES. BUT STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM, WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. BRIDGESTONE, DUELLER HL, SIZE 235/70R16.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. ONLY HIGH BEAMS WORKED. HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. I SEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED AND RECALLED ON LATER MODEL ISUZU ASCENDERS AND GM VEHICLES. I BELIEVE ISUZU USED MANY GM PARTS IN THIS TROOPER AND IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL SO THAT I CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 65-68 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND EMITS A HUMMING NOISE UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AS WELL AS TWO OTHER 2001 ISUZU'S AND THE SAME NOISE WAS PRESENT, THE TECHNICIAN BELIEVED THE NOISE WAS NORMAL IN COMPARISION TO THE OTHERS AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE, POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. 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 .