Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Free remedy
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TRANSFER GEARBOX FLANGE NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE NUTS TO LOOSEN.
Research · Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
1998 Isuzu TrooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 42 owner complaints for the 1998 Isuzu Trooper. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (19) and power train (6). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 1998
Owner complaints
42
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 1998 – Mar 2019
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Power train6
- Vehicle speed control4
- Tires4
- Electrical system3
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Air bags2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Visibility2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
19 reports1 fire
“I AHVE A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. 3.5 V6. I USED 1QT OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. ISUZU STATSE THIS IS WITHIN SPECS. I DISAGREE. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL AS ENGINES COMPLETELY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE HELP IN MAKING ISUZU OF NORTH AMERICA OWN UP TO THIS FLAWED ENGINE.”
Power train
6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER THAT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER RETAINED THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.”
Vehicle speed control
4 reports
“AFTER PARKING PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. WHILE SITTING BEHIND STEERING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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 Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trooper Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Trooper Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
- 15mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Isuzu Trooper as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
1998 Trooper questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Trooper have?
1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 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 1998 Isuzu Trooper problems?
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (19), power train (6), vehicle speed control (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1998 Isuzu Trooper get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Isuzu Trooper at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026