59 of the 105 complaints about the 1999 Isuzu Trooper are about the engine — 56% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,689 miles.
59
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
75000 MILES. BURNS A QUART OF OIL EVERY FEW HUNDRED MILES. NO OIL LIGHT COMES UP. I RAN IT ALMOST OUT OF OIL IN 06/2018
NHTSA complaint #11206873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
LAST 3 WEEKS - INITIALLY SEEMED LIKE POWER LOSS/SURGE, THEN HEARD UNUSUAL SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT 1 WEEK AGO, ENGINE STARTED TO DIE WHILE OPERATING ON CITY/RESIDENTIAL STREETS WHENEVER NOT PUSHING GAS (SLOWING TO TURN OR STOP) FRIDAY, WOULD NOT EVEN HOLD IDLE TO START, PUSHED GAS AND HELD RPM'S AT 1 - 1.5 FOR A WHILE AND FINALLY STARTED. TODAY, INITIALLY WOULD NOT START. NEXT TIME STARTED RPM'S AT OVER 2, DROPPED WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE, WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT USE OF GAS PEDAL UP TO STEADY 35 MPH ON CITY STREET. AFTER 1 MILE, AT NEXT INTERSECTION STARTED MAKING THAT STRANGE NOISE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT (LIKE AIR OR FLUID UNDER PRESSURE IE AIR COMPRESSOR/HIGH PRESSURE WATER SOUND) WHILE PRESSING BRAKE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL RPM'S REVVED TO 2.5, IN DRIVE AND REVERSE DROPPED TO 1.5, IN PARK REVVED TO 2.5, AFTER TURN AUTOMOBILE ACCELERATED TO STEADY 40 MPH ON CITY STREET WITHOUT GAS BEING PUSHED AT NEXT STOP (1 MILE) RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE AND OPERATION. HAS PROBLEM BOTH WHEN COLD AND HOT WEATHER AND COLD OR HOT START. IT HAS NOT PRODUCED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY CODES
NHTSA complaint #10850767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
99 ISUZU TROOPER 3.5 ENGINE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND REGULARLY SERVICED PER OWNERS MANUAL. AT 50K MILES, ENGINE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON 2,500 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE AND WAS OVER 4 QTS LOW. ENGINE NOW AT 60K MI AND BURNING APPROX. 1 QT PER 600-700 MILES. SEEMS TO BE COMMON ENGINE DEFECT KNOWN BY MECHANICS AND OWNERS, BUT ISUZU UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. THOUGH MONITORING CONSTANTLY, I AM JUST WAITING FOR SIGNIFICANT ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10313306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I GET FREQUENT OIL CHANGES IN MY 99 ISUZU TROOPER AND HAD JUST GOTTEN ONE LAST MONTH. I HAD AT LEAST 2700 MILES BEFORE MY NEXT ONE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM MY HOOD AND ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND OUT THAT MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED THE FIRE DEPT TO PUT IT OUT AND GOT IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE TO LATER FIND OUT THAT THE PISTON HAD GOT THROWN FROM THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT LOCKED UP DUE TO NO OIL GETTING TO THAT PISTON. SO NOW I HAVE TO GET A NEW ENGINE WHICH COST ABOUT THE SAME AS THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10224144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I TOOK MY '99 ISUZU TROOPER TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, AND 3 WEEKS LATER THE OIL LIGHT TURNED ON. I WENT TO THE ISUZU DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND AFTER CHECKING THE OIL, THEY NOTICED THAT THERE ARE LESS THAN A LITER IN THE ENGINE. THEY FILLED IT AND ADDED A CONDITIONER TELLING ME THAT THAT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS LATER, DRIVING BACK FROM A TRIP, THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MOMENTS LATER I LOST POWER (RPMS) AND PULLED THE CAR OVER. THE MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT MY CAR TOLD ME (AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY A CONSUMER REPORT WEBSITE) THAT '99 TROOPERS OFTEN HAVE "UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE ENGINE SEIZING." THE CAR NOW NEEDS A NEW ENGINE (APPROX 4000-9000 DOLLARS) OR A NEW CAR. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE OR DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10215454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. FROM 5 MPH TO 60 MPH. DIES WHILE TURNING, THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. ALMOST BEEN IN A FEW ACCIDENTS. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THIS SUMMER. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK ENGINE ALSO BURNS 1QT OIL EVER 1,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10193684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, THE ENGINE FAILED ON OUR 1999 ISUZU TROOPER, POSSIBLY DUE TO LOW OIL. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SYMPTOMS OF ANY KIND - VEHICLE JUST QUIT ON ROUTE 95 IN MANSFIELD WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM BOWLING. CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE, WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED - IN FACT, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD LITERALLY PICKED PIECES UP FROM THE PAVEMENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON SEARCHING FOR A NEW ENGINE, WE DISCOVERED THAT THEY WERE NOT EASY TO FIND UNLESS PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM ISUZU, AND ACCORDING TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE, THIS IS PRIMARILY BECAUSE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS COMMON AMONG ISUZUS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 1990'S/EARLY 2000'S. OUR REGULAR MECHANIC, AND SEVERAL OTHERS QUESTIONED, CONFIRMED THAT THE ISUZU'S WERE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. BOTTOM LINE, IT WOULD COST US $5000-$6000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, WHICH IS ABOUT WHAT WE OWED ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10169521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ONLY A COUPLE YEARS OLD, EVERY TIME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY SAID IT WAS ALMOST EMPTY OF OIL. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY COULD NEVER FIND THE REASON FOR IT BURNING OIL. EVERY DEALER SAID IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE ISUZU, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10167797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING.
NHTSA complaint #10156609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE OIL BURNING ISSUE. 1999 ISUZU TROOPER S. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE BURNS OVER 1 QUART OF OIL PER 3K MILES. HAS DONE THE SAME SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 WITH 52K MILES. NOW HAS 93K MILES. BASED ON ONLINE RESEARCH, THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE OIL FLOW PORTS WITHIN THE 3.5 LITER V6 AND IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10156451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND THE OIL WAS DRY ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10153640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 1999 ISUZU TROOPER ENGINE SEIZED UP. NO WARNING LIGHT OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT ANY THING WAS WRONG. TOWED IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT HAD NO OIL IN IT. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 1 MONTH EARLIER AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED/FILLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PURCHASE. I HAD DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 2000 MILES. I NOW SEE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. NOW I AM HAVING TO REPLACE AN ENGINE WHICH COULD BE MORE THAN THE COST OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURERS OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT AND LACK OF LOW OIL GAUGE/WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10150634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED A NEW TROOPER IN 1999 AND DID EVERY REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ON TIME AT A AUTHORIZE ISUZU DEALER. AFTER THE 5 YEAR 60,000 MILE WARRANTY WAS UP WE STARTED TAKING IT TO A REPUTABLE NATIONAL OIL CHANGE COMPANY. WE NEVER HAD ANY INDICATION IT WAS USING OIL AT AN ABNORMAL RATE. IT WAS NOT LEAKING OIL, IT WAS NOT BURNING OIL AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS NOT COMING ON. ONE DAY THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND MY WIFE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND WE ADDED OIL. IT WOULD RUN ROUGH AND TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO DID SOME MAINTENANCE WORK. I HAD NOT TOTALLY WRECKED THE ENGINE. I GOT IT DRIVING GOOD FOR ABOUT $2,000 AND HOPED THIS HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. WE ADDED AND CHECK THE OIL EVERY 500 MILES. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE SEIZED AND I AM NOW TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ENGINE OIL PROBLEM. ESTIMATED COSTS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ARE $4K-$6K WHICH IS ABOUT BLUE BOOK FOR THE TROOPER AND NOW I WOULD HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN PUTTING A 1999 ENGINE WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS IN AS A REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10150333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BURNING TOO MUCH OIL WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. MY CHECK OIL LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON. HAVE TAKEN IT FOR 3,000 MILE OIL CHANGES A COUPLE TIMES TO FIND NO OIL AND NO TRACE OF OIL IN IT, THOUGH I HAD FILLED IT TO WHERE THE DIPSTICK REGISTERED FULL WITHIN THE LAST SEVENTY MILES. I CAN'T MAKE A DECENT STAB AT ESTIMATING HOW MUCH IT BURNS BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE FINE AND THEN BE EMPTY. IT DOESN'T LEAK ANYWHERE AND IT DOESN'T SMELL LIKE IT'S BURNING IT, BUT IT'S JUST GONE. I HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF THIS ALL OF THE TIME; IT'S A DRAG. I'M GOING TO GO CHECK IT NOW WHILE I'M THINKING ABOUT IT. I AM WONDERING IF WHATEVER THIS DEFECT IS AFFECTING MY MILEAGE BECAUSE I ONLY GET 16 MPG. MY MECHANICS SAY THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS GET THE ENGINE REBUILT. I DO WISH ISUZU WOULD HELP OUT HERE. I LIKE THE VEHICLE AND AM NOT IN A POSITION TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT OR BUY ANOTHER CAR. I WOULD ALSO FEEL BADLY SELLING THIS TO SOMEONE KNOWING THE ENGINE COULD LOCK-UP WITH NO NOTICE. AND IF I TELL THEM, WHO WOULD BUY IT?
NHTSA complaint #10145587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WE BOUGHT A 1999 TROOPER FROM THE DEALER THAT WAS NEVER REGISTERED, BUT THAT THE DEALER HAD DRIVEN FOR 14,000 MILES. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT A NEW FACTORY WARRANTY APPLIED AS WE WERE THE "ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASER." AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AND LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FROZE GOING UP A MOUNTAIN PASS, ENDANGERING OUR LIVES AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN'S LIVES. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE NEEDED AN NEW ENGINE -- THOUGH THERE WAS STILL OIL IN THE ENGINE, THERE WERE SHARDS OF METAL IN THE OIL. (WE HAD PROPERLY MAINTAINED THE ENGINE MORE THAN REQUIRED UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT SEEMED TO BURN A LOT OF OIL OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.) ISUZU DENIES THAT IT IS RESPONSIBLE, AND THE DEALER DENIES THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE, SO WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE WE'VE HAD THREE YEARS THAT WILL COST US $5,000 - $8,000 TO REPAIR (AND THAT WE STILL OWE 11K ON AND IS WORTH 6K AS A TRADE-IN OR 8K IF WE SELL IT OURSELVES). I NOW SEE OTHER EVIDENCE OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE ON THIS SITE AND HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER MECHANICS WHO HAVE SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, YET MOST CONSUMERS DON'T SEEM TO FILE THESE REPORTS. I'VE HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES, AND MAINTAIN THEM WELL, AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ENGINE FREEZE WITH 71,000 MILES ON IT. AS NEITHER ISUZU NOR THE DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE NOR STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATES THIS ISSUE SO THAT NO OTHER OWNERS OR PASSENGERS ARE PLACED IN POTENTIALLY DEADLY AND CERTAINLY COSTLY CIRCUMSTANCES AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10141335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 99 ISUZU TROOPER THAT BURNS A LOT OF OIL. I SERVICE IT PROPERLY AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. ALTHOUGH IT NOW HAS 64000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY I THINK I NEED TO REPORT THIS. I HAVE TALKED TO MY DEALER AND I AM TAKING IT IN FOR SOME WORK THAT WILL AS THEY SAY CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. ARE THERE OTHERS OUT THERE THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10136998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE USES TOO MUCH OIL. THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 ISUZI TROOPER. THE CONSUMER GOES THROUGH OIL, OIL AND OIL. THIS IS WHAT THE CONSUMER SPECIFICALLY STATES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10136604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 ISUZU TROOPER. ON 8-04 SHE TOOK VEHICLE FOR 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE AND VEHICLE BLEW UP IN 7-05. SHE SAID THE CAUSE WAS A PCV VALVE THAT DID NOT WORK AND ALLOWED THE OIL TO DRAIN INTO ANOTHER PART OF THE ENGINE. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT, AND THE MECHANIC THAT DID THE WORK TOLD HER THIS. SHE FELT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE PCV VALVE. THE WARRANTY STATED THAT THE DEALER COVERED THE PARTS FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER, LABOR PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REPAIR FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, AND VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED UNDER BOTH PROTECTIONS. THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST. THE DEALER LAUGHED AT THE CONTACT AND TOLD HER THE TROOPER WAS KNOWN FOR ENGINE FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10135793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1999 ISUZU TROOPERII ENGINE FAILED. *MR NO OIL WAS THE ENGINE AND HAD SEIZED UP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS FOUND TO BE PREVALENT IN 1998-200 ISUZU TROOPERS. THE CLAIMS WERE DENIED IN REFERENCE TO THE OIL ISSUES. THE CONSUMERS CLAIM WAS DENIED.
NHTSA complaint #10134511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1999 ISUZU TROOPER RUNS OUT OF OIL. MY 1999 TROOPER THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN FEBRUARY OF 2000 AND HAVE MAINTAINED THROUGH REGULAR OIL AND FILTER CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES SUDDENLY WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO OIL IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD A LOW OIL PROBLEM OR NEVER SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF LEAKING. ON MAY 30TH OF THIS YEAR AS I WAS DRIVING UP MY DRIVEWAY LEAVING MY HOUSE IN THE MORNING THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND THEN WENT OFF WHEN I REACHED LEVEL GROUND. I HAD RECENTLY HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT 72K AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74.5K SO I STOPPED TO CHECK THE STICK. WHEN I PULLED THE STICK IT WAS DRY! AFTER DUMPING 4 QUARTS OF OIL INTO THE VEHICLE THE OIL FINALLY REGISTERED ON THE STICK! I POURED ANOTHER QUART IN TO MAKE IT 5 QUARTS AND COULDN'T BELIEVE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF OVER HEATING AND NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. I CALLED ISUZU TO ASK THEM WHY THE OIL LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS BONE DRY OF OIL. THEY STATED THAT THE LIGHT IS A OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND NOT A OIL GAUGE. I DROVE THE TRUCK FOR ONE WEEK AND CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER MYSELF JUST TO SEE THE CONDITION OF THE OIL AND FILTER. SINCE THEN I HAVE LOGGED ANOTHER 3K ON THE TRUCK AND HAVE FOUND THE VEHICLE BURNS 1 QUART PER 500 MILES. AFTER REVIEWING THE NHTSA WEBSITE I FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT ALONE. APPARENTLY ISUZU DOES KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND ELECTS NOT TO INFORM ANY OF IT'S CUSTOMERS. ISUZU SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR NOT INFORMING ALL ISUZU TROOPER OWNERS THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 70K THAT THE 99 TROOPER COULD HAVE A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF OIL RESULTING IN ENGINE DESTRUCTION. THE MANUFACTURER IS ALSO NEGLIGENT FOR NOT HAVING A WARNING SYSTEM (LIKE A $2 LIGHT) ON THE DASH THAT TELLS YOU WHEN YOUR OIL IS LOW. I WOULD LIKE TO SELL OR TRADE THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER IN GOOD CONSCIENCE I DON'T THINK SOME UNSUSPECTING PERSON SHOULD GET SADDLED WITH THIS UNFORTUNATE CONDITION. (DT)
NHTSA complaint #10129032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY ORGINAL COMPLAINT #10104322 WAS SUBMITTED 11/04. SINCE THEN I HAVE PAID ISUZU AND FOX MOTOR IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI ABOUT $7500 FOR A NEW ENGINE. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS ISUZU OF AMERICA WOULD NOT LISTEN TO ME AND EVEN HUNG UP ON ME. FOX MOTORS WAS GREAT. THEY ADVISED THE REASON MY ENGINE FROZE UP IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. THE EGR PIPE GETS CLOGGED WITH "SLUDGE" RESULTING IN NO OIL GETTING FROM THE BOTTOM TO TOP HALF OF THE ENGINE. THEY ADVISED TO HAVE EGR PIPE CLEANED AND PCV VALVE REPLACED EVERY 15,000 MILES OR ONE YEAR. I'D LIKE TO SUE ISUZU OF AMERICA AS I'M OUT A TOTAL OF $8,500 DUE TO, WHAT I'M BEING ADVISED, IS A DESIGN FAILURE IN THE EARLY 3.5L V6 ENGINES. IT'S OBVIOUS MANY OTHERS HAVE INCURRED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS SUGGESTION BY A "GREAT" ISUZU MECHANIC IS HELPFUL TO OTHERS. FYI, I OWN TWO OTHER ISUZUS (UNLUCKY ME!).
NHTSA complaint #10126389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I TOOK MY '99 ISUZU TROOPER FOR ITS REGULAR OIL CHANGE AT ALMOST 3000 MILES TO JIFFY LUBE IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO ON THE 10TH OF MAY 2005. WHILE IN THE BAY OF JIFFY LUBE THE WORKERS' REPLACED THE AIR FILTER, OIL FILTER AND TOPPED OFF ALL OTHER FLUIDS. WHEN ASKED TO TURN VEHICLE ON, I TURNED THE KEY AND THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK SOUND AND I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ASKED WORKERS' WHAT WAS THAT NOISE AND THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THEY DIDN'T KNOW AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. THEY PROCEEDED TO PUT MORE OIL IN THE ENGINE, APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 3/4'S OF A QUART AND TOLD ME TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHARGES FOR THE OIL CHANGE, WHICH I DID. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVED OUTSIDE AND LEFT WITH THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT, THERE WAS A MILD TO MODERATE RAPPING NOISE. I PROCEEDED WITH MY ACTIVITY AND ON MY WAY HOME I STOPPED AT ANOTHER JIFFY LUBE BECAUSE THE NOISE SEEMED TO BE GETTING LOADER AND THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID THAT THE OIL WAS FULL AND THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE RAPPING. I DROVE HOME AND PARKED IT OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE IT TO TOWN AGAIN AND THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. ON THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO DRIVE IT TO TOWN AND AFTER STARTING IT AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE THE ENGINE LITE CAME ON AND WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND FILLED THE CAB. I TURNED AROUND AND TOOK IT HOME IMMEDIATELY AND IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS AND TODAY A MECHANIC FROM JIFFY LUBE CAME OUT AND EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND ALL THE PARTS INVOLVED IN THE OIL CHANGE AND THOSE PARTS ARE FINE EXCEPT THAT THE RADIATOR FUILD IS EXTREMELY LOW AND IT HAS USE 1 QUART OF OIL ALREADY. THERE ARE NO LEAKING SPOTS ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. HE STATES THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE HEAD IS BLOWN AND THE METAL PARTS IN THAT AREA ARE DAMAGED AND THAT THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN APART. IT HAS ONLY 77,000 MILES ON IT AND UNTIL THIS TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO KNOWN PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10121223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A '99 ISUZU TROOPER. SINCE ABOUT 70K MILES (ABOUT A YEAR AGO), IT HAS BEEN BURNING OIL AT A REALLY HIGH RATE. I HAVE MET PERSONALLY TWO OTHER TROOPER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM WHO WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET NEW ENGINES OUT OF ISUZU, BUT SINCE I WAS OVER THE WARRANTY, I DON'T QUALIFY. NOW I HAVE READ MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE AND WONDER WHY ISUZU HAS NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE, NOR CAN I IN GOOD CONSCIOUS TRADE IT IN AND MAKE IT SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM. I AM BURNING 3 QUARTS OF OIL FOR EVERY 300 - 500 MILES! I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON ANY TRIPS TO VISIT FAMILY! I FEEL I AM BEING PUNISHED FOR OWNING THIS VEHICLE AND KEEPING IT IN GOOD REPAIR!
NHTSA complaint #10120257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I OWN A '99 ISUZU TROOPER. SINCE ABOUT 70K MILES (ABOUT A YEAR AGO), IT HAS BEEN BURNING OIL AT A REALLY HIGH RATE. I HAVE MET PERSONALLY TWO OTHER TROOPER OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM WHO WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET NEW ENGINES OUT OF ISUZU, BUT SINCE I WAS OVER THE WARRANTY, I DON'T QUALIFY. NOW I HAVE READ MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE AND WONDER WHY ISUZU HAS NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS? I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE, NOR CAN I IN GOOD CONSCIOUS TRADE IT IN AND MAKE IT SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM. I AM BURNING 3 QUARTS OF OIL FOR EVERY 300 - 500 MILES! I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON ANY TRIPS TO VISIT FAMILY! I FEEL I AM BEING PUNISHED FOR OWNING THIS VEHICLE AND KEEPING IT IN GOOD REPAIR!
NHTSA complaint #10120257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: EXCESSIVE OIL BURNING ;AND HE CHANGED UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS TWICE IN JUST OVER ONE YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10120249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ISUZU TROOPER 1999 PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM, ENGINE BURNING OIL. *BF AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT LEAST 30 TIMES. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONSUMER ALL TYPES OF EXCUSES UNTIL FINALLY THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS A HARD SHIFT WITH THE TRANSMISSION, WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE SUN ROOF, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, IN JUST 65,000 THE CONSUMER HAS GONE THROUGH 3 COMPLETE SETS OF TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND IT COULD NOT BE ALIGNED. THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. IN THE PAST THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE CONSUMER HAD HER FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY IDLED HIGH WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE HAS ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IT WAS IN PARK. ANOTHER MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PREVIOUS DEALER INSTALLED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONETS INCORRECTLY AND THERE WERE ALSO SOME DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS GETTING POOR GAS MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10113417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
99 ISUZU TROOPER USES OIL IN EXCESS AND IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT FROM UNDER MOTOR ??? GO FIGURE!! IT'S NOT EVEN AT 70,000 YET. ISUZU NEEDS TO HELP CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED THEIR WORTHLESS VEHICLES. IT SEEMS THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT MILEAGE TO STOP THE WARRANTY AT!
NHTSA complaint #10112580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL SLUDGE CAUSING OVER CAM TO FREEZE AND DAMAGE TO LOWER UNIT ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WARRANTY CO AND DEALER CLAIM NOT THERE PROBLEM. OIL CHANGES AT CORRECT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10112004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON A MI FREEWAY, OUR CAR ENGINE QUIT. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT IN TRAFFIC AND WE WERE ABLE TO COAST UP AN OFF RAMP. AAA TRAILERED THE 1999 TROOPER TO A FORMER ISUZU DEALERSHIP WHO, THREE DAYS LATER, ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE "FROZE UP" AND THAT WE WOULD NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE CRANKCASE AND THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON UNTIL AFTER THE ENGINE DIED. WE ARE PAYING TO TRAILER THE CAR TO KS TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND, PRESUMABLY, THE REGIONAL ISUZU REPRESENTATIVE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY; UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD/MILEAGE. THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE BUT, A CALL TO ISUZU OF AMERICA, ONLY HAD THEM SAY THEY'VE FULFILLED THEIR OBLIGATION. HAD THE CAR DIED IN TRAFFIC, THEIR BEEN NO EXIT RAMP OR SHOULDER, OR MY WIFE STRANDED ALONE IN A DESOLATE PLACE, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES OTHER THAN JUST THE FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES WE NOW HAVE. FYI, THE INITIAL ESTIMATE IS $7,500 TO REPLACE WITH A USED ENGINE PROVIDED A GOOD USED ENGINE CAN EVEN BE LOCATED.
NHTSA complaint #10104322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY, THEN AS DRIVING ALONG, MOMENTARY POWER SURGE AND PARTIAL STALL, ACCOMPANIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY ENGINE MISFIRE, AND COOLANT EXITING EXHAUST. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. FACTORY WARRANTY UP TO 60,000 EXPIRED FROM A TIME BASIS A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND DEALER WILL ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEAD WARPAGE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT OR IMPROPER HEAD GASKET INSTALLATION AT FACTORY. REPLACEMENT COST FOR NEW ENGINE IS APPROXIMATELY $6700. CURRENTLY STARTING A LEGAL CLAIM AGAINST ISUZU.
NHTSA complaint #10100031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.