IllustrationRETRACTOR FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED AT 75000 MILES, AND AT 150,000 MILES, RETRACTOR FAILED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT SEATBELT MIGHT NOT HOLD IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1988 Isuzu Trooper
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Trooper years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Wheels. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reportsTHE ENGINE(CYLINDER HEAD) BROKE, REFUSED TO DO THE CHECK UP ON THE CAR BEFORE THE GUARANTEE EXPIRED. PLEASE HELP ME THIS DEALER IS DOING INJUSTICE TO PEOPLE LIKE ME. THANKS. *AK
FRONT AND REAR DOOR HINGES WILL BIND, AND WHEN DOOR IS SHUT, WILL NOT HATCH. AK
HEATER HOSE CLIP/BOLT RUPTURED FUEL LINE PIPE CAUSING FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL. (89V-001)
DURING A COLLISION DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED, CAUSING INJURY.
FUEL PUMP CAUGHT FIRE, CAUSING AN EXPLOSION.
VEHICLE ROLLED OVER IN ACCIDENT.
WHEEL LUG STUDS SHEER OFF UPON ROUTINE REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT OF TIRE.
THREE WHEEL STUDS SHEERED OFF, 5 STUDS FAILED DUE TO WEAK METAL.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE HEADS BLEW OUT SEVERAL TIMES. *AK
Official recalls
189V001000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
Dec 4, 1989
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW LINES AND A CLIP.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA92018 · Heater Core Failure
Opened Jun 2, 1992 · Closed Apr 2, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
DP92005 · Defective Heater Cores
Opened Mar 3, 1992 · Closed Jun 2, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES
EA91033 · Rear Door Hinge Separation
Opened Jul 15, 1991 · Closed Jul 28, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91046 · Rear Door Hinge Separation
Opened Feb 19, 1991 · Closed Jul 15, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE90087 · Diesel Engine Surge
Opened Jun 6, 1990 · Closed Oct 12, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available