Total Complaints
30 filings
ISUZU TROOPER · model year
1990 ISUZU TROOPER
30 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990ISUZUTROOPER carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 TROOPER is power train:automatic transmission with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1990 TROOPER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
30
Complaints
3
Crashes
5
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20070127ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER, STANDARD, INTENSIFIES ITS REVS IN IDLE SUDDENLY. SOMETIMES IT GOES UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN... AND I CAN SEE HOW THE TEMP GAUGE RISES QUICKLY. MY MOMENTARY SOLUTION IN SUCH CASES IS TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND WAIT, SOMETIMES THIS LEAVES ME SOME MINUTES UNTIL IT STARTS REVVING UP AND DOWN AGAIN. NO INJURIES SO FAR, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN USING THE TRUCK MUCH FOR THIS SAME REASON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ID THE CAUSE SO THAT MY MECHANIC CAN SOLVE IT. *NM
20030721TIRES:TREAD/BELT
REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER. SEARS, TRAIL HANDLER, SIZE#P235/75/R15, DOT#3DHLLBE488. *AK
Mileage: 130,000
20030511VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER IS EXHIBITING DANGEROUS REVVING AND DROPPING OF THE IDLE. THE TRUCK ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ECU IN THESE TRUCKS IS FAULTY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND FORCE ISUZU TO REPAIR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT THE CONSUMERS'. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INSTRUCTING ISUZU TO CONTACT ME WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO BE REPAIRED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. SEVERAL GARAGES SAID THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ISUZU MUST RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NLM
20030511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1990 ISUZU TROOPER IS EXHIBITING DANGEROUS REVVING AND DROPPING OF THE IDLE. THE TRUCK ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING AND IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ECU IN THESE TRUCKS IS FAULTY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND FORCE ISUZU TO REPAIR THESE DANGEROUS DEFECTS AT THEIR EXPENSE, NOT THE CONSUMERS'. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INSTRUCTING ISUZU TO CONTACT ME WITH INFORMATION ON WHERE I CAN HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO BE REPAIRED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IT. SEVERAL GARAGES SAID THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THAT ISUZU MUST RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NLM
20020514TIRES
THE BACK LEFT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE (STEEL SHOWING) CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND RUN ACROSS THE S/B LANE OF TRAFFIC AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, THE VEHICLE THE OVERTURNED GOING OVER THE GOUARDRAIL DOWN INTO A CREEK BED, THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED REAR OVER FRONT ONE COMPLETE TIME, ALL 4 OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED (BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1M0254, LEFT REAR). NLM
20011002TIRES
THE BACK LEFT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE (STEEL SHOWING) CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND RUN ACROSS THE S/B LANE OF TRAFFIC AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL, THE VEHICLE THE OVERTURNED GOING OVER THE GOUARDRAIL DOWN INTO A CREEK BED, THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED REAR OVER FRONT ONE COMPLETE TIME, ALL 4 OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED (BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1M0254, LEFT REAR). NLM
20010509FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, AND NOTICED SMOKE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. STOPPED VEHICLE , TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND SAW FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK
20000418FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS VEHICLE STARTED ON FIRE; THINK IT IS IN RELATION TO TRANSMISSION DIP STICK LEAK. *AK
19990923SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT 15MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND HEARD LOUD GRINDING NOISES, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. ISUZU REP TOLD OWNER THAT THE BRAKES ARE STILL SAFE. *AK *ML
19981014FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DUE TO THE HOSE LYING AGAINST THE MANIFOLD AND MELTING IT BURST WHILE DRIVING, COMPONENT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AS A RECALL HOWEVER FAILED AFTER REPAIR.
19980323ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILURE.
19970919STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOOR RUSTED OUT DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. DRAIN HOLES WERE NOT DRILLED. CONSEQUENTLY WATER WAS CAPTURED AND DOOR RUSTED OUT. COULD PRESENT A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK
19970122CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DURING A REAREND COLLISION, DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER. *AK
19970117FirePOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING, PULLED OFF TO REST STOP, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE AS SLOWING DOWN, AT REST STOP, OBSERVED FLAMES COMING THROUGH CREVICE OF VEHICLE, ANOTHER MOTORIST USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER. VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOP. WAS INFORMED SEAL WENT OUT IN TRANSMISSION. *AK
19961231FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LINE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.
19961231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD CRACKED.
19961231SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR CALIPERS FROZE.
19961231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT REPLACED.
19961231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED.
19961231EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRED.
Compare 1990ISUZUTROOPER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1990 ISUZU TROOPER have?▼
The 1990 ISUZU TROOPER has 30 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 5 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 ISUZU TROOPER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 ISUZU TROOPER is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1990 ISUZU TROOPER safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.