1994 Isuzu Trooper

Routine

Owners filed 47 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires5
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
010
Tires › Tread/Belt3
100
Suspension › Front3
102
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
000
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables2
000
Structure › Frame and Members2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling2
010

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables04V199000
Filed Apr 22, 200472,905 vehiclesIsuzu Motors Limited

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CAN STICK SO THAT THE ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY DECREASE UPON RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE CABLE TO DELAY RPM AND VEHICLE SPEED REDUCTION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, WHICH IN TURN, CAN LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE RUBBER BOOT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine94V132000
Filed Jul 19, 1994122,297 vehiclesIsuzu Motors Limited

Defect. CONSTANT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSES THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE CAMSHAFT.

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL CAMSHAFT END SEAL PLUG RETAINER PLATES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2023OR

Rear main seal is leaking oil massively.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 21, 20173,000 milesCA

22 YEARS AGO, ON FEB. 22, 1995 I WAS DRIVING DOWN SILVERADO CANYON RD., WHICH IS A VERY CURVY 2 LANE ROAD. AFTER A CURVE I SAW 2 CARS DRIVING TOWARDS ME, ONE PASSING THE OTHER, COMING TOWARDS ME IN MY LANE. I DID THE ONLY THING I COULD AND MOVED ~5-7 FEET TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND FLIPPED OVER IN A COUNTER-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. MY TRUCK DID NOT HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS (SO THEY TOLD ME) BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHEN I TOLD THIS TO THE ISUZU SPOKESPERSON (2-3 YRS LATER) HE TOLD ME THAT NO CAR'S AIRBAGS DEPLOY IN ROLLOVERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PROGRAMMED TO DO SO. WHEN I ASKED WHY HE SAID THAT IN STUDIES THAT WERE DONE THERE WASN'T ANY INCREASE IN SURVIVAL IN ROLLOVERS EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW I FELT. WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO SURVIVE? WHAT ABOUT ME AND EVERYONE ELSE IN A LEFT HANDED (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) ROLL. I KNOW BECAUSE I WAS IN A CLOCKWISE ROLL TOO AND MY HEAD STAYED STRAIGHT UP AND I SURVIVED BETTER. IN A LEFT ROLL THE DRIVER'S HEAD HITS THE WINDOW AND THEY OFTEN DON'T SURVIVE. IF THEY DO THEY WILL HAVE A SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND ARE USUALLY DISABLED FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. I WAS IN A COMA FOR TWO WEEKS AND SPENT TWO YEARS IN NEUROREHABILITATION. I WISH I WAS ABLE TO WRITE THIS TO YOU MUCH SOONER BUT PLEASE WHEN THE NEW AIRBAGS COME IN, MAKE SURE THEY DEPLOY IN ROLLOVERS TOO. I HOPE THIS LETTER MAKES UP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DIED IN ROLLOVERS IN THE PAST TWENTY YEARS. YOU SEE I'M A MEDICAL DOCTOR WHO HOPES TO SEE SOME GOOD

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 4, 2008139,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLES FEEL LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALWAYS ACTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS ARE CONSTANTLY IDLING. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN AN OIL LEAK; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. OIL LEAKED ONTO THE STEER PLATE AND COATED THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE COMPONENTS OF THE ENGINE. HE FOUND TWO RECALLS THAT LISTED THE EXACT FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 04V199000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES) AND 04V132000 (EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,600.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 7, 2007AR

POWER STEERING HOSE STARTED HAVE MASSIVE LEAK ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND IT WAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD SPRAYED ALL OVER EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH INCLUDED SOAKING THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH IN TURN MADE THE ALTERNATOR START TO SURGE AT TIME, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO IN TO BACK UP MODE, AND WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN AFTER COMING TO STOP. ALSO EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD WAS LIGHT UP, CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, O2, AUTO CRUISE, LOW FUEL, AND CHECK TRANS. WHICH WAS ODD CAUSE I HAD FULL TANK OF GAS, THE BATTERY WAS SHOWING TO BE WITH IN RANGE ON THE VOLTAGE GAUGE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF......AND THE TRUCK WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING STRANGE, DROVE FINE. *JB

Tires
Filed Dec 22, 2006NY

I HAVE A 94 ISUZU TROOPER SUBN, MY MOTOR NEEDS REPLACING THIS IS LESS THEN A YEAR. I REPLACED A WATER PUMP 2XS, MOTOR VEALCOVER KASITS/MOTOR INSIDE WAS NO GOOD. I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THE DRIVER SHIFT IS LOOSE. I GIVE THE CARE THE BEST CAR SOME THING ABOUT THIS CAR IS FALLING APART. IN LESS THEN A YEAR $8,000 WAS PUT ON THIS TRUCK. I NEED HELP IM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE SONS THIS TRUCK IS THE ONE TRANSPORTATION I HAVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY TRUCK IS ON THE RECALL LIST. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2006UT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THE CAMSHAFT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #94V132000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jan 9, 2006CA

DEC. 26, 2005 MY HUSBAND WENT TO WORK AT 3:00PM IN THE AFTERNOON. ON DEC 27,2005 HE CAME HOME AT 3:30 AM IN THE MORNING, HE GOT IN THE SHOWER AND WHEN HE GOT OUT OUR DOG STARTED TO BARK, SO HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN HE HEARD A POP. SO HE LOOKED AGAIN AND FLAMES STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE PASSENGER FRONT FENDER. HE YELLED, I RAN OUT THERE AND HE WAS USING THE HOSE I CALLED 911 AND WE WERE TRYING TO POP THE HOOD FINALLY RIGHT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT HERE MY HUSBAND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIREMEN OPENED THE HOOD AND THEN THEY OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THEN ANOTHER FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD COMING THROUGHOUT THE FIREWALL. THEY PUT THAT OUT. THEY ASKED IF WE WERE DRIVING IT BUT IT HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR AT LEAST 30 TO 40 MINUTES. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED NEXT TO OUR HOUSE UNDER A CAR PORT WITH BOTH OF OUR KIDS IN THE HOUSE AND AT WITH CARS IN FRONT OF IT. THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING SO GOOD DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I READ THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT'S SIMILAR WHICH IS 94V132000 BUT ISUZU SAID IT WASN'T THE SAME SO IT WAS MY PROBLEM. WE ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BESIDES THE MAIN ENGINE. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS BURNED AND FELL OUT. *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Dec 31, 2005CA

MY HUSBAND CAME HOME FROM WORK , TURNED THE TRUCK OFF CAME IN THE HOUSE. GOT IN THE SHOWER 30 MINUTES LATER WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER HE HEARD A POP AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE WHOLE TRUCK , ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO SMELL OR ANYTHING TO THINK THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG IF HE WOULD HAVE WENT TO SLEEP IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT OUR HOUSE ON FIRE AND MY HUSBAND , TWO KIDS AND ME WOULD PROBLEY BE DEAD BECAUSE THATS WHAT THE FIREMEN SAID IT WAS SPREADING SO FAST. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Dec 30, 200534,345 milesCA

WAS JUST INFORMED ABOUT THE VALUE OF REPORTING THIS. IN 1997, UNDER WARRANTY-I SHOWED A LINE IN THE FRAME TO A ISUZU DEALER/MECHANIC WHO FAILED TO IDENTIFY THIS AS A CRACK IN THE FRAME. SINCE THEN, THE CRACK HAS CIRCUMVENTED MOST OF THE F-L FRAME, WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS ATTACHED. ISUZU CORPORATE REFUSED TO CORRECT THIS OR TO OFFER A SOLUTION TO ENSURE MY SAFETY. IN ADDITION, I REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, JERKING INTO GEAR AND THE DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE TRANS FAILED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT.*JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Mar 7, 2005159,000 milesAZ

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V199000 FOR ACCELERATOR CABLE IN MAY . SIX APPOINTMENTS AND EACH ONE WAS CANCELLED BY THE DEALER. CURRENTLY, DEALER DID NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO GO TWO HOURS AWAY FOR THE RECALL SERVICE TO HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE THE PART NOR THE SERVICE. *TC

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Aug 30, 200469,387 milesCA

THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR AN ACCELERATOR CABLE WHICH WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION 04V-199. *NM *NM

Tires › Tread/BeltCrash
Filed Jul 20, 200485,299 milesCA

TREAD SEPARATION ON TIRE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, IMPACT WITH RETAINING WALL, CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *LA

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 20, 200440,000 milesCA

IN 1997-8, I NOTIFIED ISUZU DEALERSHIP OF A 'CLICKING NOISE' IN THE F.L. WHEEL/SUSPENSION AREA WHILE TURNING. INFORMED THAT IT WAS NORMAL SUSPENSION NOISE, I CONCENTED. IN 2000, I OBSERVED A CRACK IN THE FRAME, THE CLICKING GREW WORSE. AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. ISUZU CORP SAID TO CONTACT DEALER, WHO SAID OUT OF WARRANTY, COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NOT A DEFECT OF STEEL FRAME INTEGRITY. THOUGH AN EFFECTIVE, SERVICE MANAGER; I IMAGINE HE WAS NOT A STRUCTRUAL ENGINEER. SO, I MET W/A FAA INSPECTOR WHO SAID THIS WAS CLEARLY A FAULTY COMPONENT AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT YOU. I AM STILL IN CONTACT WITH THE ORGIONAL ISUZU DEALER 'MECHANIC' WHO WILL SUBMIT AS WITNESS IF NECESSARY.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 14, 2004145,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, CAUSING A TIRE BLOWOUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM (FUTURA, DAKOTA TA, LT245/75R16). *AK THE FIRST TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND FAILURE CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AND BRAKE LINES. *NM

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Jun 10, 2004128,000 milesIL

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TUNE UP AND 120000 MAINTAINANCE. EVERYTHING ON THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING PERFECTLY. I HAD MADE THE APPOINTMENT 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE AND KEPT TO THE SCHEDULE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TO SAY THAT IT WAS DONE FOUR DAYS LATER AND THAT THE STARTER WAS NOT WORKING. THEY ADMITTED THAT IT HAD BEEN WORKING PERFECTLY AND HAD JUST "STOPPED" WORKING WHILE THEY WERE MOVING IT AROUND AND RUNNING IT THROUGH THE WASH. I EXPLAINED THAT EVERYTHING HAD BEEN WORKING PERFECTLY WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE STARTER WITH A REBUILT FOR NO CHARGE. THEY DID SO AND I PICKED UP THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM THAT THE MOTOR WAS NOT RUNNING RIGHT. THEY ASKED THAT I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BECAUSE THE "COMPUTER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM". I CONTINUED TO DO SO AND THE NEXT DAY IT WAS HOT SO I TRIED THE AIR CONDIIONER AND IT MADE GRINDING NOISES. I CALLED THEM AGAIN AND BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT IT MUST HAVE JUST GONE OUT, AT THE SAME TIME AS THE STARTER WHILE IT WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1100.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPRESSOR, WHICH I STATE ONCE AGAIN WAS WORKING PERFECTLY WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. THEY DID SOMETHING TO RUIN MY AIR CONDITIONER AND NOW EXPECT ME TO PAY FOR IT!!! PLEASE HELP SHARRON . *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Dec 15, 200385,000 milesCA

OXYGEN SENSOR WAS CHANGED AND REPLACED 13 TIMES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 24, 2002NE

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CLIMATE,CAUSED CAMSHAFT END PLUG TO BLOWOUT FROM REAR DRIVER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS CAUSED ALL OIL FROM MOTOR TO SPILL ONTO THE EXHAUST. CONSUMER'S INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED AND INSTALLED AN ANTI BLOW OUT PLATE TO KEEP THE IN PLUG IN PLACE.*AK THERE IS A RECALL, 94V132, REGARDING THIS DEFECT. CONSUMER WISHES TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MONIES PAID FOR REPAIRS. *JG

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed May 22, 2001ME

NUT AND PIN STRIPPING WHENEVER WHEEL NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. REPLACEMENT HAD TO BE DONE ON FOUR OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED, BUT UNABLE TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. *AK ON ONE OCCASION, A LUG BROKE RIGHT AT THE NUT. *SLC

Seats
Filed Apr 9, 2001CO

CONTACTED ISUZU, I HAVE TO PURCHASE ASSY. $1500. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Oct 11, 2000CA

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH) THE LEFT REAR TIRE DID NOT BLOW, BUT THE TREAD CAME OFF AND STARTED FLAPPING. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE BUT THE FLAP CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR BODY, REAR FENDER QUARTER PANEL AND REAR BUMPER. IT CAUSED SEVERE DENTS AND PAINT WAS REMOVED. I HAVE PICTURES.*AK (TIRESIZE: 20570R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 20570R16 )

20 of 47 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200212000Routine
200129100Routine
200049200Routine
199981010Routine
199842120Routine
199713200Routine
199651210Routine
199554130Routine
1994 — this page47230Routine
199333200Routine
199225230Routine
1991573153Fatalities reported
199023350Routine

Compare every Trooper year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 22, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.