The Isuzu Trooper II spans 1987–1991 with 9 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1988, 1987, 1989 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1990, 1991, 1989. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Isuzu Trooper II is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1987 to 1991 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Isuzu Trooper II by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Isuzu Trooper II — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Isuzu Trooper II VIN — every digit explained
Every Isuzu Trooper II carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Trooper II.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your Trooper II VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Isuzu Trooper II have?
The Isuzu Trooper II has 9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1987–1991. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1991 Isuzu Trooper II recalls 1
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. The weld on the receiver unit of the trailer hitch can break.
Risk. If the failure occurs, the trailer can separate from thetowing vehicle, and could result in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix. Replace the trailer hitch.
1990 Isuzu Trooper II recalls 1
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. The weld on the receiver unit of the trailer hitch can break.
Risk. If the failure occurs, the trailer can separate from thetowing vehicle, and could result in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix. Replace the trailer hitch.
1989 Isuzu Trooper II recalls 1
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. The weld on the receiver unit of the trailer hitch can break.
Risk. If the failure occurs, the trailer can separate from thetowing vehicle, and could result in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix. Replace the trailer hitch.
1988 Isuzu Trooper II recalls 3
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
What's wrong. Due to insufficient clearance between a bolt that fixes the heater to the vehicle body and a fuel delivery pipe and between a rear heater hose clip, use under servere conditions could cause pipe rupture and fuel leakage.
Risk. This could result in a fire.
Fix. Install new lines and a clip.
Service Brakes, Air:disc:caliper
What's wrong. Guide pin on rear disc brake caliper support could have loosened during transport and would no longer hold the caliper in correct position.
Risk. This could result in brake drag, premature brake padwear and partial loss of braking power with the potential for an accident.
Fix. Install brake caliper guide pin kit.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. The weld on the receiver unit of the trailer hitch can break.
Risk. If the failure occurs, the trailer can separate from thetowing vehicle, and could result in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix. Replace the trailer hitch.
1987 Isuzu Trooper II recalls 3
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
What's wrong. Due to insufficient clearance between a bolt that fixes the heater to the vehicle body and a fuel delivery pipe and between a rear heater hose clip, use under servere conditions could cause pipe rupture and fuel leakage.
Risk. This could result in a fire.
Fix. Install new lines and a clip.
Wheels:rim
What's wrong. Two piece aluminum wheels may not have been welded at point where wheel is press fitted onto the rim.
Risk. Wheel could separate from rim creating the potential foran accident.
Fix. Replace wheels as appropriate.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. The weld on the receiver unit of the trailer hitch can break.
Risk. If the failure occurs, the trailer can separate from thetowing vehicle, and could result in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix. Replace the trailer hitch.
Best and worst years for the Isuzu Trooper II
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 1988, 1987, 1989 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1990, 1991, 1989.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Trooper II | 3 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid |
| 1988 Trooper II | 8 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid |
| 1989 Trooper II | 2 | Electrical System | Avoid |
| 1990 Trooper II | 0 | — | Best |
| 1991 Trooper II | 0 | — | Best |
What are the most common Isuzu Trooper II problems?
The most-reported Isuzu Trooper II problems are Tires (2 reports), Hydraulic (1 reports) and Seat Belts (1 reports) — out of 13 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Engine And Engine Cooling 4 Read
Multiple engine failures. A pin hole in the cylinder allowed the antifreeze into the combustion chamber.
Engine gaskets and cylinders failure.
Head gasket failed.
Do i have any recourse to have the engine head gasket repaired since this is the fifth failure due to cracking or warping in 40000 miles? It has cost as much as $1,300.00. *ak
Electrical System 3 Read
Engine compartment fire while driving; smoke started coming from underhood, pulled over, checked, fire in area of firewall; cause unknown; vehicle totaled. *ak
Faulty electronic control unit idle erratic, revving up and down stalling and dieing for no reason
Computer is not activating the fuel pump relay, and the dash indicator stayes on, causing the alternator not to receive a sensing voltage and consequently the battery has to be charged manually. Occasionally the indicator lights go off and the charging system is normal. Basically, a piece of '!@#$%. I should have stayed with toyota. *ak
Tires 2 Read
I have in front of me nhtsa recall notice 01t016000 which recall firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 tires with dot serial numbers ending in "7" (among other numbers). I have these tires on my car. I called the 800 number in the recall notice for firestone, but they deny there is any recall. How do i get firestone to follow the recall? *nlm
Vehicle began to shake violently, consumer reduced speed, got out of vehicle and found both rear tires had large separations, and also a bulge on the right front tire, consumer has replaced all 4 (30x930 15 lemains tires) consumer was advised that his tires were not included in the firestone recall. *jb
Suspension 1 Read
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 isuzu trooper ii. The contact stated that after taking his vehicle to an independent mechanic for regular service, they informed him that his rear suspension had rusted and was too dangerous to drive or to repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 171,000.
Service Brakes 1 Read
Cylinder cover cracked.
Hydraulic 1 Read
Cylinder cover cracked.
Visibility 1 Read
Heater core exploded hot water and anti freeze entered the vehicle, driver sustained second degree burns to feet and ankles. *ak
Seat Belts 1 Read
Driver's shoulder/lap and rear left shoulder/lap belts are inoperative, experienced intermittent malfunctioning when won't retract or sticks inside assembly.*ak
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Isuzu Trooper II specifications & dimensions
The 1991 Isuzu Trooper II. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Isuzu Trooper II cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Trooper II holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Isuzu Trooper II tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Isuzu Trooper II get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Isuzu Trooper II have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Isuzu Trooper II cost to own?
A Isuzu Trooper II depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Trooper II loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Trooper II ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Isuzu Trooper II safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Trooper II yet.
How many miles does a Isuzu Trooper II last?
A well-maintained Isuzu Trooper II typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Decode your Isuzu Trooper II’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Isuzu Trooper II model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Isuzu Trooper II — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Trooper II | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1990 Trooper II | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1989 Trooper II | 1 recall | — | — |
| 1988 Trooper II | 3 recalls | — | — |
| 1987 Trooper II | 3 recalls | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Trooper II?
By owner-complaint volume, 1988, 1987, 1989 drew the most reports. 1990, 1991, 1989 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Trooper II have?
9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1987–1991. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Trooper II last?
A well-maintained Trooper II typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Trooper II reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Trooper II is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Isuzu Trooper II warranty?
New Isuzu models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Isuzu dealer.
Where is the Isuzu Trooper II made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Trooper II's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Isuzu may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Trooper II have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.