1997 Isuzu Trooper Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 15 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 17 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine cooling (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 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.
- Brakes3 23%
- Engine cooling2 15%
- Fuel system2 15%
- Air bags1 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
- Body and structure1 7.7%
- Suspension1 7.7%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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”
NHTSA complaint #10003419, filed 2003-01, 87,773 milesBrakes: “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”
NHTSA complaint #728235, filed 2000-08Engine 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. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10112633, filed 2005-03, 8,150 milesFuel 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10091301, filed 2004-09, 65,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,126 and 87,773 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 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 | 3 / 3 | — | — | — |
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 1997 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 | 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Trooper 4WD/AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
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
- 97V092001Jun 3, 1997Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Isuzu Trooper 1996–1997
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.
- 97V035001Mar 11, 1997SuspensionCovers: Isuzu Trooper 1997
These vehicles were manufactured without a lock washer and/or screws in the front hub.
Recall details for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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 1997 Isuzu Trooper have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Isuzu Trooper is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1997 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 1997 Isuzu Trooper get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Isuzu Trooper (Trooper, 3.2L 6-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 1997 Isuzu Trooper reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,126 and 87,773 miles; 20% 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.