1990 Isuzu Trooper Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 · 14 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Isuzu Trooper (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1990 Isuzu Trooper. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and electrical system (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 130,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses/lines/piping/fittings and 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign 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 cooling6 26%
- Electrical system3 13%
- Body and structure3 13%
- Brakes2 8.7%
- Fuel system2 8.7%
- Tires2 8.7%
- Equipment1 4.3%
- Seat belts1 4.3%
- Seats1 4.3%
Also reported: Steering (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My 1990 Isuzu Trooper, standard, intensifies its revs in idle suddenly. Sometimes it goes up and down, up and down... And I can see how the temp gauge rises quickly. My momentary solution in such cases is to stop the car and shut off the ignition and wait, sometimes this leaves me some minutes until it starts revving up and down again. No injuries so far, but I have not been using the truck much for this same reason. I would like to know what id the cause so that my mechanic can solve it.”
NHTSA complaint #10180877, filed 2007-01Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving, pulled off to rest stop, noticed smoke coming from engine as slowing down, at rest stop, observed flames coming through crevice of vehicle, another motorist used fire extinguisher. Vehicle at repair shop. Was informed seal went out in transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #807846, filed 1997-01Electrical system: “My 1990 Isuzu Trooper is exhibiting dangerous revving and dropping of the idle. The truck accelerates without warning and is impossible now to drive safely. It is my understanding that the ecu in these trucks is faulty due to manufacturing defects. I further understand that thousands of others have these problems. Please initiate a recall of these vehicles and force Isuzu to repair these dangerous defects at their expense, not the consumers'. Please take action on this extremely dangerous situation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018510, filed 2003-05Body and structure: “Experienced a rollover while driving down hill, the car started to fishtail and turned around into on coming traffic and the Trooper rolled over onto the right side. Consumer was injured in accident.”
NHTSA complaint #802338, filed 1996-09Mileage 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 130,000 and 130,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Isuzu Trooper. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trooper · sedan | not rated | 1 / 1 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 2.8L 6-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
- 90V166000Sep 20, 1990Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittingsCovers: Isuzu Trooper 1990–1991
Improperly installed hose on the oil cooler could come in contact with the exhaust manifold and could melt.
- 90V167000Sep 20, 1990Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Isuzu Trooper 1990–1991
Putting in more transmission oil than specified can cause oil to bleed through air groove on to the exhaust manifold if oil temperature rises.
Recall details for the 1990 Isuzu Trooper → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- DP92015Engine compartment firesClosed · Jul 30, 1992
- 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 1990 Isuzu Trooper have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1990 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Isuzu Trooper is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 1990 Isuzu Trooper been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Isuzu Trooper get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Isuzu Trooper (Trooper, 2.6L 4-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 14 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Isuzu Trooper reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 130,000 miles and the middle half falls between 130,000 and 130,000 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 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.