Model year record

1997 Isuzu Trooper recalls & problems

The 1997 Isuzu Trooper has 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (4 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints13filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 3, 1997

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V0920016,667 vehicles

Problem: THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY AT THE ASSEMBLY LINE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND AN UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION.
Risk: THE LINE CAN BE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND CAN RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. IF THE CLEARANCE IS NOT ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

SuspensionMar 11, 1997

Suspension

Recall 97V035001270 vehicles

Problem: THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LOCK WASHER AND/OR SCREWS IN THE FRONT HUB.
Risk: THE BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT CAN LOOSEN, RESULTING IN TOO MUCH FREE PLAY BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND AXLE. THE BEARING CAN SEIZE, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LOCK AFFECTING VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT HUBS TO DETERMINE IF THE LOCK WASHER AND SCREWS WERE PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF NOT, THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Isuzu Trooper 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Trooper

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Trooper

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainClutch assembly; Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	4	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc	3	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	4	—
Fuel system, otherFuel injection system	2	0	0	—
SteeringGear box › Shaft sector; Linkages	2	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	0	0	—
SuspensionFront	1	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights	1	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
WE BOUGHT A 1997 ISUZU TROOPER IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM A USED DEALER...THE REAR AXLE AND THE FRAME ARE SEVERELY ROTTED...THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND WE HAVE THAT IN WRITING..WHAT CAN WE DO?...WE CAN'T GET OUR MONEY BACK...THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE....PLEASE HELP. *TR
Feb 26, 2010 · 154,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
HYDROLIC LIFTERS STICK, VERY LOUD AND NOTICABLE ENGINE NOISE. THEY HAVE STUCK SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. THEY UNSTICK IMMEDIATELY AFTER SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE, BUT ONLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME.*AK DEALERSHIP(S) USED THIS WINDOW OF TIME TO THIER ADVANTAGE TO AVOID REPAIRING VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY, SENDING CONSUMER AWAY TO SEE IF IT WORKS. MANAUFACTURER RECOMMENDS SYNTHETIC OIL TO CORRECT. DOES NOT WORK. SEVERAL INCIDENTS. COUNTLESS FAILURES. WILL PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR NEW LIFTERS, APPROXIMATELY $1,800.00.
Mar 6, 2004 · 8,150 miles
Fuel system, other › Fuel injection system
DURING BRAKING, WITH NO GAS PEDAL PRESSURE BEING APPLIED, ENGINE CONTINUED AT HIGH RPMS MAKING BRAKING DIFFICULT. VEHICLE WITH NO GAS PEDAL PRESSURE WOULD PROCEED AT 30 MPH IN DRIVE POSITION OF AUTO TRANS. UPON EXITING ROADWAY, WHEN APPLING GAS PEDAL WHILE IN PARK POSITION, AND RELEASING PEDDLE, RPMS WERE AT 2200. PEDAL WAS OPPERATING FREELY AND THROTTLE CABLE/YOKE WAS IN FULLY RETURNED POSITION. I THEN CONTINUED LOOKING FOR ANY OBVIOUS OBSTRUCTIONS OR SEPERATED VACUMN LINES. NOTHING APPEARED WRONG. I THEN DISCONNECTED THE MASS AIR SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. UPON RECONNECTING AMS AND RESTARTING ENGINE, IDLE RETURNED TO AROUND 700 RPM'S AND NO FURTHER PROBLEMS OCCURED FOR THE…
Sep 19, 2004 · 65,000 miles
Power train › Clutch assembly
CUTCH FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE STRANDING DRIVER IN TRAFFIC. SECOND CLUTCH FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH IN 37,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING
Sep 27, 2002 · 87,773 miles
Power train › Clutch assembly
CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING FAILED CAUSING VEHICAL TO BE INOPERABLE STRANDING DRIVER IN TRAFFIC
Jan 27, 2002 · 50,126 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
A HIDEOUS, LOUD NOISE COMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE CHASSIS. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT COMES FROM THE MUFFLER. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED EITHER BY THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN OR A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE DEALER, WHEN I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM THE VERY FIRST TIME, PICKED UP ON IT RIGHT AWAY.*AK
Jun 10, 1999
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPL STEERING SHAFT. *AK
Aug 28, 2001
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTH TO ENGAGE SECOND GEAR. THE CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD OUT OF HARMS WAY. THE FAILURE WAS IN THE
Aug 1, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.