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 up to 33 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Isuzu Trooper II a good car?
Short answer: it depends heavily on which year you buy. Our score for the Isuzu Trooper II is 3.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the engine and engine cooling — 4 of the 13 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1990, 1991, 1989 score best in our data, and 1988, 1987 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
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.
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. Tells you it's a Isuzu and the country it was built in (real Isuzu codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Trooper II.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJ81 · J8Z · JAA · JAB · JAC · JAE
- USA4S1 · 4S2 · 4S6
- CanadaJ87
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the number is stamped on your Trooper II, see our free VIN decoder.
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
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.
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.
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.
1987 Isuzu Trooper II recalls 3
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.
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.
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.
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 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1988 Trooper II | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1989 Trooper II | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 1990 Trooper II | — | Best | |
| 1991 Trooper II | — | 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:
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. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Isuzu Trooper II window sticker.
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. EPA measures its interior at 85 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
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?
The Isuzu Trooper II returns up to 33 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,900/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1991 Isuzu Trooper II (2.3L 4-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $3,450/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Trooper II | 17 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 Trooper II | 17 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 Trooper II | 17 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 Trooper II | 31 | 37 | $1,900 | 269 | — | 1.5L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 Trooper II | 31 | 37 | $1,900 | 269 | — | 1.5L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Trooper II stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Trooper II's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Isuzu Trooper II have? Power & range
The Isuzu Trooper II is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.3L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.3L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
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. Check what a used Trooper II is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
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. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $9,500 over five years 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 — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Isuzu Trooper II last?
A well-maintained Isuzu Trooper II typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Isuzu Trooper II’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Trooper II’s VIN free →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. See all Isuzu recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Trooper II get?
Up to 33 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
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.