2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Isuzu Trooper (second generation) model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
There'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.
At a glance
2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | — | December: all-new Trooper (Bighorn) launched as a 1992 model; 3.2 L V6 in SOHC (175 hp) and DOHC (190 hp) forms, auto hubs, four-wheel discs |
| 1992 | — | Bighorn receives the 1992/93 Japan Car of the Year Special Award |
| 1993–1995 | — | Three-door RS sold in the US |
| 1996 | — | Revised 190 hp SOHC 3.2; shift-on-the-fly on some trucks; Acura SLX twin launched (November 1995) |
| 1996–1997 | — | Consumer Reports rates the 1995–96 Trooper and SLX 'Not Acceptable' (August 1996); NHTSA denies a defect petition (July 1997) |
| 1998 | — | Facelift, 3.5 L 6VE1 (215 hp / 230 lb-ft) and Borg-Warner Torque On Demand on some trims |
| 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 |
| 1999 | — | Last Acura SLX (6,590 sold in the US in total) |
| 2000 | — | New grille; Grade Logic downshift control on automatics (2000–02) |
| 2002 | — | Last US model year; the final Japanese Bighorn is built in September 2002 |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a 2nd Gen Isuzu Trooper costs (October 2026)
Second-generation Troopers are cheap; low mileage and documented engine work bring the premiums.
| Driver | $6k–11k |
|---|---|
| Excellent / low-mile | $12k–14.5k |
Based on 10 Bring a Trailer Trooper sales, October 2024 – July 2026: $6,000 (a 2000 Limited) to $14,250 (a 50,000-mile 2001 LS). A 1996 Acura SLX sold for $11,250 in November 2024.
Recalls by year
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Isuzu Trooper years to avoid across every generation.