1998 Isuzu Trooper
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 19 of 42 complaints (45%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 13 in 1997 to 42 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,150–4,450 | 4,150–4,450 | 4,150 | 4,150 | 4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–15 | 14–15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–14 / 17 | 13–14 / 17 | 13–14 / 18 | 13–14 / 18 | 13–14 / 17 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 592–635 | 592–635 | 592 | 592 | 592 | |
| Complaints filed | 51 | 13 | 42 | 81 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Isuzu Trooper have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Isuzu Trooper?
Engine: 19 of 42 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Isuzu Trooper get?
EPA rates it 15 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Isuzu Trooper?
EPA estimates $4,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) · Campaign 98V180000 · Aug 17, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TRANSFER GEARBOX FLANGE NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE NUTS TO LOOSEN.
Consequence: IF THE FLANGE NUTS LOOSEN, THE PROPELLER SHAFT CAN SEPARATE, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPEATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FRONT AND REAR FLANGE NUTS AND, IF FOUND LOOSE, TIGHTEN TO SPECIFIED TORQUE AND SECURED STAKED AT TWO PLACES.