1986 Isuzu Trooper Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 226,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Isuzu Trooper (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1986 Isuzu Trooper. The part named most often is seat belts, with 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and seats (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 226,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts10 56%
- Engine cooling2 11%
- Seats2 11%
- Body and structure1 5.6%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The contact owns a 1986 Isuzu Trooper. The vehicle was parked when the front passenger side occupant attempted to engage the seat belt mechanism. Unexpectedly, the floor board cable which is attached to the seat belt connector disengaged without warning. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The current and failure mileages were 226,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10322133, filed 2010-03, 226,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Consumer was pulling into driveway, attempting to enter garage when heater core blew up, causing hot water and steam to blow inside vehicle and on top of consumer, resulting in burns and injuries. No warning was given.heater core was replaced two years prior.”
NHTSA complaint #823005, filed 1998-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 226,000 and 226,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Isuzu Trooper version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 24 | 26 | 25 | $3,850 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V093000Jul 27, 1992Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachmentsCovers: Isuzu Trooper 1984–1987
Trucks used in the salt-belt states can have accumulated corrosion in the hinges of the rear doors. If the vehicles also have misaligned door latches and strikers, it is possible to close the doors in a "false latch" condition.
Recall details for the 1986 Isuzu Trooper → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP92005Defective heater coresClosed · Mar 3, 1992
- EA91033Rear door hinge separationClosed · Jul 15, 1991
- PE91046Rear door hinge separationClosed · Feb 19, 1991
- PE90087Diesel engine surgeClosed · Jun 6, 1990
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10237146May 8, 2023Other or unknown. This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this…
- 10218932Aug 30, 2022Equipment. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers…
- 10218927Aug 2, 2022Equipment. Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers…
Other model years of the Isuzu Trooper
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 12 | 47,000 | 0 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 29 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 49 | 70,550 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 81 | 71,500 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 42 | 52,500 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 13 | 65,000 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 51 | 118,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 54 | 118,000 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 47 | 85,150 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 33 | 22,300 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 25 | 179,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 57 | 135,000 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 23 | 130,000 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 16 | — | 0 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 17 | — | 1 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 18 | 226,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
All Isuzu Trooper model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Isuzu Trooper have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1986 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Isuzu Trooper is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 1986 Isuzu Trooper been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Isuzu Trooper get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Isuzu Trooper (Trooper, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Isuzu Trooper reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 226,000 miles and the middle half falls between 226,000 and 226,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.