Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2002 Isuzu TrooperRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (4) and vehicle speed control (3). The EPA rates it 15 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
12
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
12 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2002 – Dec 2016
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Power train2
- Tires1
- Electrical system1
- Structure1
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 Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
4 reports
“ENGINE IN MY 2002 ISUZU TROOPER BURNED UP THE MAIN ROD BEARING IN PISTON ONE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT OIL PRESSURE. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. TRUCK HAS 79K MILES ON IT AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ISUZU OF NORTH AMERICA STATED NOTHING WOULD BE DONE VIA THE MANUFACTURER. I REPLACED THE ENGINE MYSELF AT A COST OF $4800. *TR”
Vehicle speed control
3 reports
“WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”
Power train
2 reports1 crash
“DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 ISUZU TROOPER. CONSUMER SAYS THAT WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE INDICATOR POSITION WILL READ PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE WILL BE IN A NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE CAN ROLE FREELY FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SHE WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. CALLED WHEN VEHICLE WAS AT CONSUMER'S HOUSE AND PROBLEM WAS RECURRING. DEALER SENT SOMEONE OUT BUT STILL NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT PROBLEM, WHICH DID NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, AND DID NOT SEEM TO FOLLOW ANY PATTERN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. *AK”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel 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 28, 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 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 |
- 15mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Isuzu Trooper as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4639
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.
2002 Trooper questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Isuzu Trooper have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2002 Isuzu Trooper problems?
Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (4), vehicle speed control (3), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2002 Isuzu Trooper get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Isuzu Trooper at 15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026