AI Damage1987 Isuzu Trooper: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Isuzu Trooper filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 17% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 17% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 17% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 17% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.2 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cyl
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Cracked fuel tank filler neck; also, replaced door handles.
While driving the right front wheel locked up, unable to control vehicle. Drove vehicle about 10mph home. Did not take vehicle to dealer. Replaced hub a couple of times before this happened to the vehicle.
Drivers side seat frame broke resulting in severe rocking of seat. Please describe details. Tt
During cold weather, front hubs were locking up on their own when vehicle was in 2nd gear.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trooper has 31 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
- Trooper 19853 sources
- Trooper 198618 sources
- Trooper 198817 sources
- Trooper 198916 sources
- Trooper 199023 sources
- Trooper 199157 sources
- Trooper 199225 sources
- Trooper 199333 sources
- Trooper 199447 sources
- Trooper 199554 sources
- Trooper 199651 sources
- Trooper 199713 sources
- Trooper 199842 sources
- Trooper 199981 sources
- Trooper 200049 sources
- Trooper 200129 sources
- Trooper 200212 sources
- Trooper 99995 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Isuzu Trooper?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (17%), seat belts (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Isuzu Trooper?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Isuzu Trooper from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.