NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints for the 2000 Isuzu Trooper. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (23) and power train (6). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT WITH TOD (TORQUE-ON-DEMAND). IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED, FRONTAL CRASHES, MOVEMENT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT WITH TOD (TORQUE-ON-DEMAND). IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, AN INTERIOR FUEL LINE AND FUEL HOSE CAN BE SEPARATED, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“I CHECKED MY OIL LEVEL 3 WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS FINE. I CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. I ADDED A QUART 3 DAYS AGO FOR A LONG TRIP I WAS TAKING. WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO BILLINGS, MT, MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. IT HAD NOT OVERHEATED OR SHOWN A WARNING SIGN. MY CAR WAS BONE DRY OF OIL! THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED. I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT...THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR. *TR”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ISUZU TROOPER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GASKET TRANSMISSION PAN HAD A LEAK AND THE GASKET WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO TRANSMISSION PANS AND THE SECOND GASKET SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE GASKET WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ACCUMULATOR COVER AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. AS OF DECEMBER 4, 2007, THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TO DETERMINE WHEN THE FLUID IS LOW. THE ONLY INDICATOR IS WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,558 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,708.”
“AT HIGHWAY SPEED (75MPH) A BOOM NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE JUST AFTER CONTACTING THE WARNING STRIP ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE AND FISHTAIL THEN FLIPPED END OVER END 3-4 TIMES APPROX. ONE - TWO HUNDRED YARDS DOWN THE HIGHWAY. INJURED BUT EXPERIENCED DRIVER WAS SUSPICIOUS OF A POSSIBLE SUSPENSION OR STEERING FAILURE AND CONCERNED THAT AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| 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 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Trooper Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Trooper 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| 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 |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.
Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (23), power train (6), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Isuzu Trooper at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).