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Research · Special Purpose Vehicles

1997 Isuzu TrooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper. Most complaints involve power train (4) and service brakes, hydraulic (3). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 1997
Owner complaints
13
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY AT THE ASSEMBLY LINE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND AN UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jun 3, 1997NHTSA 97V092001

Suspension

Free remedy

THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LOCK WASHER AND/OR SCREWS IN THE FRONT HUB.

SuspensionReported Mar 11, 1997NHTSA 97V035001
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 1997 – Oct 2010
  1. Power train4
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  3. Engine and engine cooling2
  4. Fuel system, other2
  5. Structure1
  6. Exterior lighting1
  7. Suspension1
  8. Air bags1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Trooper model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199651
199713
199842
199981
200049
200129
200212
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

4 reports
“CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING FAILED CAUSING VEHICAL TO BE INOPERABLE STRANDING DRIVER IN TRAFFIC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2003Power trainODI 10003416

Service brakes, hydraulic

3 reports
“BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPL STEERING SHAFT. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic, Exterior lightingODI 895636

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2005Engine and engine coolingODI 10112633
All 1997 Trooper problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Trooper
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
Trooper
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600635
  • Trooper
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Trooper
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 3731
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 Trooper questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Isuzu Trooper have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1997 Isuzu Trooper problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (4), service brakes, hydraulic (3), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Isuzu Trooper get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Isuzu Trooper at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026