AI Damage1989 Isuzu Trooper: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Isuzu Trooper filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 19% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 13% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (25% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Wheels: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
And the vehicle will not start at all please provide additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem. Ts
Wheel lugs strip or break off entirely. Six of 24 lugs have been replaced.
Brakes make a moaning noise while vehicle is in reverse, replaced brake pads.
The engine's main pulley bolt could not be removed. The bolt had to be drilled out and then replaced.
When driver turns vehicle off and attempts to turn the vehicle back on, the vehicle will not start up again. This happens all the time when turning the vehicle off, and trying to start the vehicle back up again.
Whenever you press the brakes they make a very loud grinding noise. Please describe details.
Fuel tank sending unit leaking gasoline, corroded fuel tank sending unit. Tt
Wheel studs are breaking while in transit; hear knocking noise when tire is about to come off; driver have to stop and tighten up bolts;replaced every 2/3 month
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 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trooper has 31 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 16, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
- Trooper 19853 sources
- Trooper 198618 sources
- Trooper 19876 sources
- Trooper 198817 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 1989 Isuzu Trooper?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, wheels. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: won't start (13%), knocking, grinding or other noise (13%), seat belts (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 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 1989 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 1989 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.