IllustrationTHE 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. *AK
1988 Isuzu Trooper
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trooper years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Wheels. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
4 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE HEADS BLEW OUT SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
CRACKED HEAD CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. *DH
ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED AT WEAK POINT AND WAS REPLACED/SECOND CYLINDER HEAD WARPED DUE TO ENGINE HEAT. *AK
Official recalls
189V001000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
Dec 4, 1989
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW LINES AND A CLIP.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA92018 · Heater Core Failure
Opened Jun 2, 1992 · Closed Apr 2, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
DP92005 · Defective Heater Cores
Opened Mar 3, 1992 · Closed Jun 2, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
EA91033 · Rear Door Hinge Separation
Opened Jul 15, 1991 · Closed Jul 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91046 · Rear Door Hinge Separation
Opened Feb 19, 1991 · Closed Jul 15, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE90087 · Diesel Engine Surge
Opened Jun 6, 1990 · Closed Oct 12, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available