Best Isuzu Trooper years to buy, and which to avoid
2 generations of the Isuzu Trooper, and for each one the model years owners and specialists recommend, the ones with documented problems, and the recalls to check. None has a single standout year, so buy on condition and history.
Sweet spot years owners and specialists recommend · Beware years with documented problems · Recall years with a recall to check by VIN. Each one is sourced on the model's own guide.
Isuzu Trooper (first generation)
1981–1991- 1990–1991Recalls for the oil-cooler hose (90V166) and automatic transmission overfill (90V167); NHTSA's owner complaints include under-hood fires and stripped wheel studsRecall
Every Isuzu Trooper (first generation) year, change by change →
Isuzu Trooper (second generation)
1991–2002There's no clear sweet spot. The 1992–97 3.2 avoids the 3.5's oil appetite: one Overland Bound owner says the 3.2 'never had an oil consumption issue' and the 1998–2002 3.5s 'did have a bit'. NHTSA's complaint files peak with the 1999 model, and CarComplaints rates 2000 as the worst year, mainly for transmission failures. The 3.5 is the stronger engine, so if you want one, buy on oil-use history and receipts rather than the year.
- 1998–2000Peak years for NHTSA complaints about 3.5 oil consumption, engines running dry and stalling: by our keyword count, about 38 of the 81 complaints for 1999 describe heavy oil use or seizure. CarComplaints rates 2000 as the worst Trooper year, mainly for transmission failures. Check any 3.5 carefullyBeware
Every Isuzu Trooper (second generation) year, change by change →