AI Damage1999 Isuzu Trooper: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Isuzu Trooper filed 81 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 81
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 69% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 2% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 2% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 56 complaints (69% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 7 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 4 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 81 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 | 56 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 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.
The front windshield is not properly sealed and the window fogs up if you don't run the defroster. The draft that comes from the floor on the drivers side is unacceptable. I bought this car with less than 30,000 miles on it and it now has less than 50,000.
Engine surged twice while idling at stop, brakes failed to stop vehicle.
Consumer was going up hill hit some black ice and spun around/ flipped over on passenger's side. Tire bar was broken and twisted around frame. Vehicle was totalled. A police report was filed. Consumer please enter vehicle's identification number.
Also, emergency brake failed, causing it to roll down into a tree. Isuzu engineers claimed vehicle passed all specifications, but consumer knew for a fact that it did not hold. Vehicle will only brake at the ten o'clock.
75000 miles. Burns a quart of oil every few hundred miles. No oil light comes up. I ran it almost out of oil in 06/2018
While driving the vehicle it began to surge as if it was stuck in high gear. The gas peddle seemed to be stuck and the vehicle started to go faster and faster. I applied the brakes and the tires screeched while the vehicle was still in motion forward. I shut off the engine and applied the brakes to stop the auto.
Last 3 weeks - initially seemed like power loss/surge, then heard unusual sound coming from engine compartment 1 week ago, engine started to die while operating on city/residential streets whenever not pushing gas (slowing to turn or stop) friday, would not even hold idle to start, pushed gas and held rpm's at 1 - 1.5…
As I tried to drive out of the flow of traffic the noise was horrific and as if all components of my brakes were rattling within the wheels. I pulled along the side of the road and called for a tow. After inspection at the repair shop I was told that the abs ring had shattered inside the brake assembly.
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 4,046 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trooper has 31 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 81, 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.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- 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 199157 sources
- Trooper 199225 sources
- Trooper 199333 sources
- Trooper 199447 sources
- Trooper 199554 sources
- Trooper 199651 sources
- Trooper 199713 sources
- Trooper 199842 sources
- Trooper 200049 sources
- Trooper 200129 sources
- Trooper 200212 sources
- Trooper 99995 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Isuzu Trooper?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, powertrain, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 81. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (19%), warning lights, check engine (15%), stalls while driving (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 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 1999 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 1999 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.