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1998 Isuzu Trooper

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Trooper do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 25.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 16 of 42 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 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

42 reports
30,000 miles · Mar 19, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER THAT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS WAS CONTACTED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER THAT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER RETAINED THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11190034

86,444 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineInterior Lighting

WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE IS IDLING VERY HIGH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS YOU START TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE JERKS YOU, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING WHIPLASH. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES AND LOTS OF TIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHE…

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WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE IS IDLING VERY HIGH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON, AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS YOU START TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE JERKS YOU, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF GETTING WHIPLASH. WE HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES AND LOTS OF TIMES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP, THEY REPLACED THAT, 2 DAYS LATER IT WAS BACK ON. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR, REPLACED THAT AND ITS STILL ACTING AS THOUGH ITS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS. AS FAR AS THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE THEY WONT TELL US WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THAT. ALSO THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO TAKE OTHERS LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368262

50,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE IS EXHIBITING ABNORMALLY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. ONE QUART PER 500 MILES. IMMINENT ENGINE FAILURE IF PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310412

119,000 miles · Aug 6, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE DUELER 684 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE AS IF THE TIRES WERE UNBALANCED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THERE WAS N…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE DUELER 684 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RIDE AS IF THE TIRES WERE UNBALANCED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THERE WAS NO BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANY POTHOLES. THE VIN AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10237256

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

USING 1 QT OIL EVERY 450 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10194015

82,000 miles · Jan 31, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AHVE A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. 3.5 V6. I USED 1QT OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. ISUZU STATSE THIS IS WITHIN SPECS. I DISAGREE. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL AS ENGINES COMPLETELY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE HELP IN MAKING ISUZU OF NORTH AMERICA OWN UP TO THIS FLAWED ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10181232

63,344 miles · Apr 25, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

JUST BOUGHT A 98' TROOPER WITH THE 3.5L. DROVE IT FOR 1 WEEK AND GOT THE OIL CHANGED. DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND HAD IT CHECKED WITH A HANDHELD SCANNER. IT SAID LOW FLOW THROUGH EGR VALVE. TECH SAID TAKE IT OFF AND CLEAN IT, SHOULD BE OK. NEXT DAY ON THE WAY H…

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JUST BOUGHT A 98' TROOPER WITH THE 3.5L. DROVE IT FOR 1 WEEK AND GOT THE OIL CHANGED. DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND HAD IT CHECKED WITH A HANDHELD SCANNER. IT SAID LOW FLOW THROUGH EGR VALVE. TECH SAID TAKE IT OFF AND CLEAN IT, SHOULD BE OK. NEXT DAY ON THE WAY HOME MOTOR STARTS KNOCKING. BABIED IT HOME, NOW KNOCKING VERY BAD. CHECKED OIL, IT WAS DRY. NO WARNING! NOTHING! I ONLY WENT 500 MILES AFTER THE OIL CHANGE. THE TRUCK IS GOING IN FOR A REBUILD. THIS IS GOING TO COST $4000. I HAVE NOT EVEN MADE A PAYMENT ON IT YET! THIS IS ABSURD. NOW, AFTER THE FACT, I HAVE READ ALL THE FORUMS ON THIS SITUATION. TOO LATE FOR ME. AFTER ALL THIS TIME HOW IS ISUZU NOT BEING MADE TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS? WHAT ABOUT CLASS ACTION? SEEMS LIKE A GREAT TRUCK OTHERWISE.

NHTSA ODI #10156024

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER WITH A 3.5L MOTOR AND IT EATS MOTORS OIL LIKE NO OTHER. IT DOES IT EVERYTIME I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL SINCE AFTER ABOUT 50K MILES. THE MOTOR CONSUMES ROUGHLY 1QT OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES, EVEN AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE. I HAVE LOOKED ON COUNTLESS WEB SITES AND FORUMS ALL OVER AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PR…

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I HAVE A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER WITH A 3.5L MOTOR AND IT EATS MOTORS OIL LIKE NO OTHER. IT DOES IT EVERYTIME I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL SINCE AFTER ABOUT 50K MILES. THE MOTOR CONSUMES ROUGHLY 1QT OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES, EVEN AFTER A RECENT OIL CHANGE. I HAVE LOOKED ON COUNTLESS WEB SITES AND FORUMS ALL OVER AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. PEOPLE JUST DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEB SITE AND WHAT YOU DO. THIS PROBLEM WILL PERSIST AND EVENTUALLY END UP IN ENGINE FAILURE AND CAN BE A VERY COSTLY PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER AND A NEW MOTOR, ONE WILL STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM FOR THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT. THE DRAIN BACK HOLES IN THE OILS RINGS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM IS. PLEASE CONTACT ISUZU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE THEN DO A RECALL PLEASE! IT WOULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY FOR EVERYONE WHO DRIVES A 3.5L ISUZU/ACURA MOTOR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10148271

91,000 miles · Aug 7, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WE WERE DRIVING IN MY 1998 ISUZU TROOPER WITH THE 3.5 LITER ENGINE AND ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON A FAMILY VACATION TO MONTANA, AS WE CAME TO OUR DESTINATION WE WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS BEING USED IN OUR VEHICLE AND WAS SET AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE MONTANA SPEED LIMIT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO DOWNSHIFT TO GO UP …

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WE WERE DRIVING IN MY 1998 ISUZU TROOPER WITH THE 3.5 LITER ENGINE AND ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON A FAMILY VACATION TO MONTANA, AS WE CAME TO OUR DESTINATION WE WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS BEING USED IN OUR VEHICLE AND WAS SET AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE MONTANA SPEED LIMIT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO DOWNSHIFT TO GO UP THE MOUNTAIN SIDE UPON GETTING TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE NOISE. SECONDS LATER THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM AND ENGINE PARTS WENT FLYING EVERYWHERE, WE HAD DROPPED 2 PISTONS OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR FROM SUCH BAD DAMAGE. WE QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY HAD HAPPENED AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND WE HAD TO QUICKLY EXTINGUISH IT. WE THEN PICKED UP THE ENGINE PARTS FROM THE HIGHWAY TO NOT HURT OTHER VEHICLES. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL POLICE AND THEY AIDED US IN GETTING TO THE NEAREST DEALER 110 MILES AWAY. THE DEALER TOOK OVER A WEEK TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OTHER COMPONENTS FOR A COST OF OVER $6,000. THE ENGINE BLOCK AND OTHER DAMAGED PARTS WERE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY. UPON RETURNING HOME AND INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT THIS INCIDENT IS VERY COMMON AND HAS COST MANY PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I BELIEVE THAT ISUZU IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD FIX IT OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS. THIS PUT MY FAMILIES SAFETY AND LIVES IN HARM AND I THINK ISUZU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10131863

32,000 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A USED 1998 ISUZU TROOPER IN 1993. THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT ALL RECORDS OF WORK DONE, PER THE MANUAL. FROM THE BEGINNING I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS BEING HELD BACK WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT MY CAR ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS AND FOUND NOTHING. I THEN BEGAN TO NOTICE T…

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I PURCHASED A USED 1998 ISUZU TROOPER IN 1993. THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT ALL RECORDS OF WORK DONE, PER THE MANUAL. FROM THE BEGINNING I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS BEING HELD BACK WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT MY CAR ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS AND FOUND NOTHING. I THEN BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT I WAS PUTTING OIL IN MY ISUZU EVERY 300-500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A FRIENDS CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THEM AND THEY REQUESTED ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS WHICH I SUPPLIED. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1000.00 TO HAVE THE ENGINE TAKEN OUT AND AT THAT POINT THEY WOULD DECIDE WHETHER IT WAS MY FAULT OR A DEFECT. NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDN'T AGREE WITH PAYING $1000.00 SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED ISUZU AND THEY COULDN'T HAVE CARED LESS. I DON'T HAVE THE $6000.00 NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WHEN WILL THIS FINALLY BE REMEDIED? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE TO BE FILED TO MAKE ISUZU RESPONSIBLE FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM? THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET, YET PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10107935

Official recalls

1

98V180000 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

Aug 3, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TRANSFER GEARBOX FLANGE NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE NUTS TO LOOSEN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE FLANGE NUTS LOOSEN, THE PROPELLER SHAFT CAN SEPARATE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPEATIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FRONT AND REAR FLANGE NUTS AND, IF FOUND LOOSE, TIGHTEN TO SPECIFIED TORQUE AND SECURED STAKED AT TWO PLACES.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.