NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 29 owner complaints for the 2001 Isuzu Trooper. Most complaints involve power train (9) and engine and engine cooling (8). 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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“MY SUV , ISUZU TROOPER OF 10YEARS, WAS PARKED IN A LIBRARY PARKING GARAGE AND AFTER IGNITION TURNED ON, I PUT IT IN REVERSE GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR RAPIDLY REVERSED AND BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT AND REACT, THE CAR SHOT LIKE A ROCKET TOWARDS THE FRONT , WHILE STILL IN REVERSE GEAR, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES OR STEERING WHEEL, IT RAMMED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND GOT COMPLETELY TOTALED. AIRBAGS OPENED AND FRONT DOORS JAMMED AND I HAD SLIDE TO THE BACK TO ESCAPE. LUCKILY, CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE OR EXPLODE. ( POLICE REPORT VERIFY THAT AFTER CRASH, CAR STILL FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE GEAR AND SUPRISED HOW CAR MOVED TOWARDS THE FRONT). A WEEK AGO, PRIOR TO THIS FREAKY CRASH, ( LUCKILY NO MINORS, SENIORS, HOMELESS WHO USUALLY WALK IN THE PARKING LOT WERE NOT PRESENT, OTHERWISE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE DEATHS) MY CAR DEALERSHIP HAD DONE WORK ON MY CAR FOR NEARLY $1000.00. AND THEY REPLACED MODE SWITCH FOR MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ( THERMOSTAT CHANGED; PISTON COVER CHANGED) AND DON'T KNOW WHAT ROLE IT PLAYED IN MY CAR'S CRASH. I AM PRETTY SURE ITS A MALFUNCTION . IT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED AND FIGURED WHAT ROLE THE ABOVE INSTALLATION…”
“2001 ISUZU TROOPER WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND BAD U-JOINT CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY WANT US TO REVIEW THE SAFETY ISSUES**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HAVING 3 SEPARATE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE THE FIRST BEING A BAD U JOINT, THE SECOND BEING A FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND THE THIRD WAS HAVING TO REPLACE A LONG ENGINE BLOCK. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE ELECTRICAL HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY REQUESTED A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT AND WAS ULTIMATELY DENIED BY THE DEALER DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS 40,000 MILES OVER THE BASE WARRANTY.*TR”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STOPPED DURING VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. ALSO, ALL POWER FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.*AK THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING BURNT FLUID. THE RADIATOR HAD A LOW COOLING EFFICIENCY. THE ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/30/06. *JB”
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 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Trooper 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,300 | 592 |
| Trooper 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-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 |
1 safety recall 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 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (9), engine and engine cooling (8), service brakes, hydraulic (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Isuzu Trooper at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).