1988 Isuzu Trooper Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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
- 15 mpgcombined, 2.6L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 15 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Isuzu Trooper (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1988 Isuzu Trooper. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by wheels (4) and fuel system (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 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.
- Engine cooling4 24%
- Wheels4 24%
- Fuel system2 12%
- Brakes1 5.9%
- Exterior lighting1 5.9%
- Seat belts1 5.9%
- Seats1 5.9%
- Body and structure1 5.9%
- Suspension1 5.9%
- Tires1 5.9%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The engine(cylinder head) broke, refused to do the check up on the car before the guarantee expired. Please help me this dealer is doing injustice to people like me. Thanks.”
NHTSA complaint #721303, filed 2000-04Fuel system: “Consumer states that he started smelling , when investigated found that the vent pump on the gas tank was rusted and he had to replace the whole gas tank.”
NHTSA complaint #802277, filed 1996-09Complaints 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 1988 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 | 2.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
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
- 89V001000Dec 4, 1989Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac systemCovers: Isuzu Trooper 1987–1988, Trooper II 1987–1988
Due to insufficient clearance between a bolt that fixes the heater to the vehicle body and a fuel delivery pipe and between a rear heater hose clip, use under servere conditions could cause pipe rupture and fuel leakage.
Recall details for the 1988 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 1988 Isuzu Trooper have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1988 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Isuzu Trooper is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (24% of the total), followed by wheels with 4.
Has the 1988 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 1988 Isuzu Trooper get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Isuzu Trooper (Trooper, 2.6L 4-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 15 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.