Common problems · 1991–2002
2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper problems: 8 things to check
The problems owners and specialists flag most on the Isuzu Trooper (second generation), the repairs they end up doing and what those cost, plus the years and recalls to watch. Sourced, not scraped.
2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper problems to check before you buy
- Check the oil on any 3.5 (1998–2002)Pull the dipstick before anything else and ask how much oil it uses. NHTSA's complaint files describe 6VE1s using a quart every 450–1,000 miles and several that ran dry and seized without an oil-light warning. A truck with a documented engine rebuild or replacement can be the better buy.
- Inspect the 4L30-E automaticOne long-time owner on Bob Is The Oil Guy says most failures of these gearboxes come from running low on fluid, and that they're very sensitive to fill level. Look for leaks at the accumulator cover and drain bolt, check the fluid, and make sure every gear engages cleanly hot and cold.
- Test the Torque On Demand system (1998+)A flashing TOD light and shudder usually point to the transfer-case or driveshaft speed sensors, according to Edmunds forum owners. One was quoted about $700 for the pair. Test 4WD Auto, 4H and 4L on loose ground.
- Listen for stalling at stopsMany 1998–2000 owners told NHTSA about stalling when slowing or turning, and about upper and lower intake manifold gaskets replaced more than once. Edmunds owners call the 3.5's intake gasket a common fault.
- Ask for the timing-belt and water-pump receiptBoth V6s have belt-driven cams. Owners on Edmunds plan the belt, water pump and spark plugs around 75,000 miles, and one on Bob Is The Oil Guy says the belt is good for about 100,000 miles. With no records, do it now and confirm the interval in the manual.
- Make sure the 4WD actually engagesBob Is The Oil Guy owners say the front-axle 4WD actuator is known to seize in rust-prone areas. Lock it in, drive on gravel and listen for the front axle pulling.
- Check that the recalls were doneAccelerator cables that can stick on 1992–95 trucks (04V199), cam seal end plugs that can blow out and leak oil on 1992–94 trucks (94V132), loose transfer-case flange nuts on 1998s (98V180) and fuel-line separation in frontal crashes on 2000–01 TOD trucks (00V253, 00V376).
- Look underneath for rustBob Is The Oil Guy owners rate Trooper rust as similar to other Japanese trucks of the era, but rust-belt trucks do die of it. One 1996 owner's NHTSA complaint describes chassis corrosion. Check the frame rails, rear suspension mounts and the rear doors.
The repairs 2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper owners end up doing
| REPAIR | SYMPTOMS | DIFFICULTY | TIME | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manage 3.5 V6 oil consumption | Oil level dropping between changes, blue smoke, fouled plugs and, in the worst NHTSA reports, an engine that runs dry and seizes without the oil light coming on. | 2 / 5 (rebuild 5 / 5) | Minutes a week; a rebuild takes days | A quart at a time, up to an engine rebuild |
| Replace the intake plenum and manifold gaskets | Stalling when slowing or at a stop, a rough idle, a check-engine light and, in one NHTSA report, fuel-fouled spark plugs. | 3 / 5 | A day | Parts plus labor |
| Timing belt and water pump | None. It's a service item, and owners schedule it around 75,000–100,000 miles. A truck with no record is due. | 3 / 5 | A long day | Parts plus labor |
| Service the 4L30-E automatic | Slipping, harsh or delayed shifts, or a fluid leak. Low fluid is the usual cause of failures, according to Bob Is The Oil Guy owners. | 2 / 5 | A couple of hours | Parts plus labor |
| Fix a flashing TOD light | The TOD light flashes, the truck shudders or 4WD Auto stops working. | 2 / 5 | An hour or two | One owner was quoted about $700 for front and rear sensors |
| Set ride height at the torsion bars, or fit a mild lift | Sagging front end, uneven side-to-side height, or room needed for bigger tires. | 2 / 5 | An hour, plus an alignment | Free to adjust; a Pedders kit costs more |
| Free a seized front-axle actuator or hub | 4WD light on but no drive to the front, or the front won't disengage. | 2 / 5 | A couple of hours | Parts plus labor |
| Front CV axles and boots | Torn boots, grease on the inside of the wheel, or clicking on full lock. | 3 / 5 | Half a day per side | Parts plus labor |
Each repair links to a step-by-step guide with tools, part numbers and where to buy the parts.
Years with known problems
| YEARS | FLAG | WHAT TO KNOW |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–2000 | Beware | Peak 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 carefully |
Every 2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper model year, with the best ones to buy →
2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper recalls and service bulletins
- Accelerator cable can stick ↗ 1992–1995 · NHTSA 04V199The accelerator cable can stick, so engine speed doesn't drop immediately when you lift off the pedal.
- Camshaft seal end plug can dislodge ↗ 1992–1994 · NHTSA 94V132Expansion and contraction of the cylinder head can push out the camshaft seal end plug and let oil leak from the camshaft.
- Rear center seat-belt buckle ↗ 1996 · NHTSA 96V248Some trucks were built with a rear center buckle meant for another market.
- Front hub missing lock washer or screws ↗ 1997 · NHTSA 97V035Some trucks were built without a lock washer and/or screws in the front hub.
- Left front brake line clearance ↗ 1996–1997 · NHTSA 97V092The left front brake lines were installed with too little clearance to the upper control arm.
- Transfer case flange nuts ↗ 1998 · NHTSA 98V180Transfer-case flange nuts weren't installed properly and could loosen.
- TOD trucks: fuel leak in a frontal crash ↗ 2000–2001 · NHTSA 00V253 / 00V376On 4WD automatic trucks with Torque On Demand, a high-speed frontal crash could separate an interior fuel line and hose or move engine-bay parts, risking a fuel leak.
- Intake manifold gaskets (1998) ↗ Owners writing to NHTSA mention a 1998 service bulletin for faulty intake gaskets, and Edmunds owners call the 3.5's intake gasket a common warranty repair. Bulletin number not confirmed.
Check any VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗, or see the recall tracker.
Take the printable 2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper inspection checklist: every check on this page plus the model-specific ones, on one sheet. Get the checklist →
Sourced from owners, specialists and factory documents; full sources are on the 2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper guide. Verify torque figures and procedures against the factory service manual (disclaimer).