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FaultScore report

1997 Isuzu Trooper problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1997 Isuzu Trooper with NHTSA between 1997 and 2010. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 10 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Isuzu Trooper All 1997 cars
C

FaultScore 45/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Isuzu Trooper.

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

65,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

20%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 17 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 34 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Isuzu Trooper. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
22.2% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Isuzu Trooper

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 1997 Isuzu Trooper

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

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 22.2%

Median failure at 68,949 miles

Brakes 3 16.7%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 11.1%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

Steering 2 11.1%
Airbags 2 11.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 2 11.1%

Median failure at 8,150 miles

Lights 1 5.6%
Suspension 1 5.6%
Body & Structure 1 5.6%

Median failure at 154,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 1 20.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 40.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 20.0%
150,000+ miles 1 20.0%

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 1997 peak 3 Oct 2010

Recalls on the 1997 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 1997133 102 units in Canada

Brakes

VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION. THIS LINE COULD BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM AND IF THE CLEARANCE IS NOT ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall 1997064 52 units in Canada

Suspension

THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LOCK WASHER AND/OR SCREWS (3 PCS./WHEEL) FOR THE LOCK WASHER OF THE FRONT HUB BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LOOSENING BETWEEN THE HUB AND THE KNUCKLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN BEARING SEIZURE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE LOCK WASHERS AND SCREWS ARE SECURELY TIGHTENED.

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.

Tacoma, WA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH, IMPACT 30 MPH, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER.

NHTSA complaint #810660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tacoma, WA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH, IMPACT 30 MPH, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER.

NHTSA complaint #810660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 154,000 miles Foxboro, MA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

WE BOUGHT A 1997 ISUZU TROOPER IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM A USED DEALER...THE REAR AXLE AND THE FRAME ARE SEVERELY ROTTED...THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND WE HAVE THAT IN WRITING..WHAT CAN WE DO?...WE CAN'T GET OUR MONEY BACK...THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE....PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10358870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,150 miles Weston, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HYDROLIC LIFTERS STICK, VERY LOUD AND NOTICABLE ENGINE NOISE. THEY HAVE STUCK SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. THEY UNSTICK IMMEDIATELY AFTER SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE, BUT ONLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME.*AK DEALERSHIP(S) USED THIS WINDOW OF TIME TO THIER ADVANTAGE TO AVOID REPAIRING VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY, SENDING CONSUMER AWAY TO SEE IF IT WORKS. MANAUFACTURER RECOMMENDS SYNTHETIC OIL TO CORRECT. DOES NOT WORK. SEVERAL INCIDENTS. COUNTLESS FAILURES. WILL PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR NEW LIFTERS, APPROXIMATELY $1,800.00.

NHTSA complaint #10112633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Boca Raton, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

DURING BRAKING, WITH NO GAS PEDAL PRESSURE BEING APPLIED, ENGINE CONTINUED AT HIGH RPMS MAKING BRAKING DIFFICULT. VEHICLE WITH NO GAS PEDAL PRESSURE WOULD PROCEED AT 30 MPH IN DRIVE POSITION OF AUTO TRANS. UPON EXITING ROADWAY, WHEN APPLING GAS PEDAL WHILE IN PARK POSITION, AND RELEASING PEDDLE, RPMS WERE AT 2200. PEDAL WAS OPPERATING FREELY AND THROTTLE CABLE/YOKE WAS IN FULLY RETURNED POSITION. I THEN CONTINUED LOOKING FOR ANY OBVIOUS OBSTRUCTIONS OR SEPERATED VACUMN LINES. NOTHING APPEARED WRONG. I THEN DISCONNECTED THE MASS AIR SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. UPON RECONNECTING AMS AND RESTARTING ENGINE, IDLE RETURNED TO AROUND 700 RPM'S AND NO FURTHER PROBLEMS OCCURED FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY DRIVE(APPROX 100MI MORE) NO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED YET. VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS 65000 MILES USE.

NHTSA complaint #10091301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,126 miles Hilliard, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING FAILED CAUSING VEHICAL TO BE INOPERABLE STRANDING DRIVER IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA complaint #10003416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,773 miles Hilliard, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CUTCH FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE STRANDING DRIVER IN TRAFFIC. SECOND CLUTCH FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE WITH IN 37,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #10003419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vienna, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

A HIDEOUS, LOUD NOISE COMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE CHASSIS. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT COMES FROM THE MUFFLER. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE FIXED EITHER BY THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SERVICE BULLETIN OR A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE DEALER, WHEN I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM THE VERY FIRST TIME, PICKED UP ON IT RIGHT AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #764349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tomball, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPL STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #895636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tomball, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPL STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #895636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burton, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTH TO ENGAGE SECOND GEAR. THE CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD OUT OF HARMS WAY. THE FAILURE WAS IN THE

NHTSA complaint #728235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burton, OH

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN I DEPRESSED THE CLUTH TO ENGAGE SECOND GEAR. THE CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND I COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD OUT OF HARMS WAY. THE FAILURE WAS IN THE

NHTSA complaint #728235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westminste, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE IN A STEEP SLOPE AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES CONTINUALLY. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #553273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

THE THROWOUT BEARING FAILED WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE PRESSURE PLATE. THE ATTACHMENT POINT IS COMPOSED OF A SERIES OF SPRING STEEL FINGERS THAT ARE HELD TO THE PRESSURE PLATE WITH A SPRING STEEL CLIP. THE SPRING STEEL CLIP SEPARATED FROM THE FINGERS CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO BE INOPERABLE. THE PRESSURE PLATE AND DRIVEN PLATE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD ONLY MINIMAL WEAR. INSTEAD OF PUSHING THE FINGERS ON THE PRESSURE PLATE THIS DESIGN PULLS THE FINGERS. THE DESIGN IS EXTREMELY WEAK AND AN ADDITIONAL FAILURE WILL OCCUR. ONCE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE THROWOUT BEARING AND PRESSURE PLATE FAIL IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER IS STUCK IN THE ROAD AND UNABLE TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES OR MANUEVER AROUND DANGEROUS SPOTS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS A STRURDIER DESIGN THAT IS ABLE TO ABSORB THE DAILY USE OF THE CLUTCH. *AK.

NHTSA complaint #719813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE'S FRONT END VERY OFTEN NEEDS WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER TRAVELING OFF ROAD. MJS

NHTSA complaint #606927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

STEERING:LINKAGES

POWER STEERING BOX SHAFT SECTOR AND PITMAN ARM FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #606927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

POWER STEERING BOX SHAFT SECTOR AND PITMAN ARM FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #606927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moorpark, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED.

NHTSA complaint #607887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tacoma, WA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH, IMPACT 30 MPH, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER.

NHTSA complaint #810660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tacoma, WA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH, IMPACT 30 MPH, DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER.

NHTSA complaint #810660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.