AI Damage1991 Isuzu Trooper: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Isuzu Trooper filed 57 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 57
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Wheels 14% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 13 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Wheels: 8 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (12% of all).
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (11% 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 57 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 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling 75mph on highway and lost control of vehicle because rear tire tread separated from tire, and flipped multiple times. Driver died from head injuries, I person was injured, tires were bridgestone desert dueller, size p235/75r15, dot wk13356.
When he walked away vehicle rolled backwards, resulting in a crash. Phoned isuzu and was told that they did not install an ignition interlock device. Owner believes this is a necessary safety device.
The 1991 trooper had seatbelt latches raised off the seat (for convenience of securing) however this further exposed the release button, which had no cover. Later models lowered the latch, making it more difficult to secure, but also making it less likely to be accidently released (by the passenger or foreign object)…
Looked down to turn off air conditioner, and front end of vehicle was about a foot away from hitting the side of semi-truck. Driver jerked wheel to the left in order to correct back into passing lane. Vehicle fishtailed/lost control and hit semi-truck, causing trooper to slide to edg eof highway and roll over 7 times.
Vehicle flipped over in minor accident due to poor stability.
Tl* the contact owns a 1991 isuzu trooper. The contact stated that the accelerator cable was stuck which caused the accelerator pedal not to release. The failure was progressing more frequently.
While applying the brake pedal consumer heard a loud squeaking noise and vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the brake pads needed to be replaced.
Intermittently while driving between 50 to 60 mph and shifting from lower to higher lever gear vehicle experience sudden acceleration.
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 5,000 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trooper has 31 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 57, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
- Trooper 19853 sources
- Trooper 198618 sources
- Trooper 19876 sources
- Trooper 198817 sources
- Trooper 198916 sources
- Trooper 199023 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 1991 Isuzu Trooper?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, wheels. Total complaints: 57. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), fuel system, fuel smell (7%), headlights and tail lights (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 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 1991 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 1991 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.