Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

1999 Isuzu TrooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for the 1999 Isuzu Trooper. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (56) and power train (8). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
81
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1999 Isuzu Trooper as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

81 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1999 – May 2019
  1. Engine and engine cooling56
  2. Power train8
  3. Vehicle speed control7
  4. Electrical system5
  5. Steering4
  6. Visibility3
  7. Engine2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Suspension2

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
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

56 reports1 crash1 fire
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10313306

Power train

8 reports3 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON US INTERSTATE 89 NEAR MONTPELIER, VT, PULLED OVER TO ADJUST STUCK WINDSHIELD WIPER (DUE TO SNOW). AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY VIA EXIT RAMP AND PARKING IN A PARKING LOT, RETURNED TOWARDS HIGHWAY AFTER ABOUT A 5 MINUTE DELAY. AS WAS ACCELERATING UP THE ON RAMP, TRANSMISSION "LET GO" AND ENGINE REVVED. TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT AND REMAINED STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. LIMPED TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ISUZU DEALERSHIP WHERE METAL WAS FOUND IN THE TRANNY PAN UPON INSPECTION INDICATING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE HAD 79K MILES, WAS SERVICED AT 60K AS PER MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS, NO OTHER DRIVETRAIN PROBLEMS OR INDICATION OF IMMINENT FAILURE BEFORE INCIDENT. TRANSMISSION (4L30E) HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2006Power trainODI 10148184

Vehicle speed control

7 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2016Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10850767
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility 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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Trooper
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
Trooper
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
  • Trooper
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Trooper
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Isuzu Trooper as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
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

1999 Trooper questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Isuzu Trooper have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 1999 Isuzu Trooper problems?

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (56), power train (8), vehicle speed control (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Isuzu Trooper get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Isuzu Trooper at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026