NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,722 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Isuzu Trooper engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Isuzu Trooper Owner Comments

problem #11

Feb 012010

Trooper

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine is exhibiting abnormally high oil consumption. One quart per 500 miles. Imminent engine failure if problem is not corrected.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #10

Jan 062007

Trooper 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
I ahve a 1998 Isuzu Trooper. 3.5 V6. I used 1qt of oil every 500 miles. Isuzu statse this is within specs. I disagree. Several others have had the same problem as well as engines completely needed replacement. Please help in making Isuzu of North America own up to this flawed engine.

- Roscoe, IL, USA

problem #9

Apr 212006

Trooper 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,344 miles
Just bought a 98' Trooper with the 3.5L. Drove it for 1 week and got the oil changed. Drove it for another week and the check engine light came on. Took it to an auto parts store and had it checked with a handheld scanner. It said low flow through egr valve. Tech said take it off and clean it, should be ok. Next day on the way home motor starts knocking. Babied it home, now knocking very bad. Checked oil, it was dry. No warning! nothing! I only went 500 miles after the oil change. The truck is going in for a rebuild. This is going to cost $4000. I have not even made a payment on it yet! this is absurd. Now, after the fact, I have read all the forums on this situation. Too late for me. After all this time how is Isuzu not being made to be held responsible for this" what about class action" seems like a great truck otherwise.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #8

Dec 272004

Trooper 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were driving in my 1998 Isuzu Trooper with the 3.5 liter engine and about 90,000 miles on a family vacation to Montana, as we came to our destination we were in the mountains. The cruise control was being used in our vehicle and was set at approximately 75 mph, the Montana speed limit. The vehicle had to downshift to go up the mountain side upon getting to the top of the mountain the vehicle quickly began to make a strange noise. Seconds later there was a loud boom and engine parts went flying everywhere, we had dropped 2 pistons out the bottom of the engine and nearly lost control of the car from such bad damage. We quickly pulled over to see what exactly had happened and noticed that the oil leaking from the bottom of the car had caught fire and we had to quickly extinguish it. We then picked up the engine parts from the highway to not hurt other vehicles. We contacted the local police and they aided us in getting to the nearest dealer 110 miles away. The dealer took over a week to replace the engine block and other components for a cost of over $6,000. The engine block and other damaged parts were disposed of properly. Upon returning home and investigating I found that this incident is very common and has cost many people thousands of dollars. I believe that Isuzu is aware of this problem and should fix it or reimburse people who have had these problems. This put my families safety and lives in harm and I think Isuzu should be held accountable.

- Hopkins, MN, USA

problem #7

May 012004

Trooper 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
I am the second owner of a 1998 Isuzu Trooper (3.5L V6 motor). I purchased the vehicle with approximately 43K miles on it. At just over 50K miles, the motor began to burn oil at the rate of one quart every 700-1000 miles driven. The rate of consumption is much higher if driven long distances at highway speeds. Isuzu is trying to say that using one quart of oil per 1000 miles is acceptable. I say differently, as no other vehicle I have ever owned uses oil accordingly. (including my 1993 Isuzu Trooper). The problem seems to be well known by Isuzu usa, but they refuse to take any corrective measure. The general information regarding the defect relates to the oil drain back holes in the pistons. This is a flawed design and causes engine failure routinely. I feel with the number of failures in the 1998+ Isuzu 3.5L V6 motor, a recall should be conducted to properly address the issue. Thank your for your time and consideration.

- Sandston, VA, USA

problem #6

Jul 202004

Trooper 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 55,000 miles
98 Isuzu Trooper 3.5 engine burns oil excessively. I am original owner and regularly serviced per owners manual. At 55000 miles, engine oil light turned on 2,500 miles after oil change. Over 4 qts low. $1400 repair bill (not covered by warranty) unable to fix oil burning issue. Engine now at 75000 mi and burning approximately. 1 qt per 600-700 miles. Seems to be common engine defect and known by mechanics and owners, but Isuzu unwilling acknowledge problem. Though monitoring constantly, am just waiting for significant engine failure.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #5

Jun 012001

Trooper 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,594 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive oil consumption.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #4

Oct 012003

Trooper

  • miles
1998 Troopers had a service bulletin regarding faulty intake gaskets, which they will not participate in replacing if the vehicle is out of the warranty period. There is a safety factor to this issue, my vehicle has stalled while at lower RPM's causing lose of control, after changing to updated gaskets the car no longer stalls.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #3

Jun 032003

(reported on)

Trooper

  • miles
While traveling and without any indication vehicle started jerking soon after vehicle died and was towed. Technician noticed transmission needed to be replaced.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 152001

Trooper

  • miles
Gaskets leaky. Caused extra fuel to be dumped to engine. Did not get burned. Damaged all 6 spark plugs. Necessitated flush of fuel injector, replacement of all 6 plugs, replacement of all gaskets.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 122000

Trooper 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, noticed white steam coming from hood. Vehicle taken to dealer and informed of a head gasket failure, repairs were made at no cost to consumer. The head gasket failure is a serious problem with Isuzu Troopers and should be investigated.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

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