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1990 problems

FaultScore report

1990 Isuzu Trooper problems

Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 1990 Isuzu Trooper with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Isuzu Trooper

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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

How 1990 compares with every other Isuzu Trooper

Click any bar to open that year's report.

5 18 9 20 17 30 71 27 41 58 65 66 18 48 105 61 42 12

85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1990 Isuzu Trooper

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 8 26.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 13.3%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Tires 3 10.0%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Body & Structure 3 10.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 3 10.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 2 6.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Brakes 2 6.7%

Equipment & Accessories 1 3.3%

Seats 1 3.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Seat Belts 1 3.3%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 3.3%

Steering 1 3.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
1990 Isuzu Trooper II 4-DR. 4x4	—	—	—	—

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Apr 1995 peak 7 Jan 2007

NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Isuzu Trooper

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP92015 Opened 30 Jul 1992 Closed 25 Nov 1992 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

EA92018 Opened 2 Jun 1992 Closed 2 Apr 1993 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HEATER CORE FAILURE

DP92005 Opened 3 Mar 1992 Closed 2 Jun 1992 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES

EA91033 Opened 15 Jul 1991 Closed 28 Jul 1992 STRUCTURE

REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION

PE91046 Opened 19 Feb 1991 Closed 15 Jul 1991 STRUCTURE

REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION

PE90087 Opened 6 Jun 1990 Closed 12 Oct 1990 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DIESEL ENGINE SURGE

Recalls on the 1990 Isuzu Trooper

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1993133 22 Sep 1993 2,926 units in Canada

Powertrain

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK MUST BE PROPERLY REINSTALLED AFTER CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL. IF THE DIPSTICK IS NOT LOCKED, LEAKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A WARNING TAG WILL BE INSTALLED TO THE DIPSTICK CAP TO SERVE AS A REMINDER TO ALWAYS LOCK THE DIPSTICK AFTER CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL AND NOT TO OVERFILL WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 14 May 2002 North Richland Hills, TX 4 injured

TIRES

THE BACK LEFT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE (STEEL SHOWING) CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND RUN ACROSS THE S/B LANE OF TRAFFIC AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, THE VEHICLE THE OVERTURNED GOING OVER THE GOUARDRAIL DOWN INTO A CREEK BED, THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED REAR OVER FRONT ONE COMPLETE TIME, ALL 4 OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED (BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1M0254, LEFT REAR). NLM

NHTSA complaint #554984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Oct 2001 North Richland Hills, TX 4 injured

TIRES

NHTSA complaint #554984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 May 2001 Indianapolis, IN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. STOPPED VEHICLE , TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND SAW FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #887813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 2000 Laporte, IN Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE; THINK IT IS IN RELATION TO TRANSMISSION DIP STICK LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #721285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jan 1997 Tucson, AZ Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DURING A REAREND COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #513647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Jan 1997 LOS Angeles, CA Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING, PULLED OFF TO REST STOP, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE AS SLOWING DOWN, AT REST STOP, OBSERVED FLAMES COMING THROUGH CREVICE OF VEHICLE, ANOTHER MOTORIST USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP. WAS INFORMED SEAL WENT OUT IN TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #807846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 27 Jan 2007 SAN Juan, PR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER, STANDARD, INTENSIFIES ITS REVS IN IDLE SUDDENLY. SOMETIMES IT GOES UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN... AND I CAN SEE HOW THE TEMP GAUGE RISES QUICKLY. MY MOMENTARY SOLUTION IN SUCH CASES IS TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND WAIT, SOMETIMES THIS LEAVES ME SOME MINUTES UNTIL IT STARTS REVVING UP AND DOWN AGAIN. NO INJURIES SO FAR, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN USING THE TRUCK MUCH FOR THIS SAME REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ID THE CAUSE SO THAT MY MECHANIC CAN SOLVE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10180877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Jul 2003 at 130,000 miles Windsor, VA

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. SEARS, TRAIL HANDLER, SIZE#P235/75/R15, DOT#3DHLLBE488.

NHTSA complaint #10029768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 May 2003 Langhorne, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER IS EXHIBITING DANGEROUS REVVING AND DROPPING OF THE IDLE. THE TRUCK ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ECU IN THESE TRUCKS IS FAULTY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND FORCE ISUZU TO REPAIR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT THE CONSUMERS'. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INSTRUCTING ISUZU TO CONTACT ME WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO BE REPAIRED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. SEVERAL GARAGES SAID THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ISUZU MUST RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10018510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 May 2003 Langhorne, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA complaint #10018510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 May 2002 North Richland Hills, TX 4 injured

TIRES

NHTSA complaint #554984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Oct 2001 North Richland Hills, TX 4 injured

TIRES

NHTSA complaint #554984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 May 2001 Indianapolis, IN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. STOPPED VEHICLE , TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND SAW FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #887813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 2000 Laporte, IN Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE; THINK IT IS IN RELATION TO TRANSMISSION DIP STICK LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #721285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Sep 1999 Laurel, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 15MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND HEARD LOUD GRINDING NOISES, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. ISUZU REP TOLD OWNER THAT THE BRAKES ARE STILL SAFE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #844863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Oct 1998 Minnetonka, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DUE TO THE HOSE LYING AGAINST THE MANIFOLD AND MELTING IT BURST WHILE DRIVING, COMPONENT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AS A RECALL HOWEVER FAILED AFTER REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #508785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Mar 1998 Massapequa Park, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #530264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Sep 1997 Pleasant Valley, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOOR RUSTED OUT DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. DRAIN HOLES WERE NOT DRILLED. CONSEQUENTLY WATER WAS CAPTURED AND DOOR RUSTED OUT. COULD PRESENT A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA complaint #520872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jan 1997 Tucson, AZ Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DURING A REAREND COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #513647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Jan 1997 LOS Angeles, CA Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA complaint #807846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Dec 1996 Decatur, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #511370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.