Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 48 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Trooper year — the 1998 model ranks #7 of 19 Trooper years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.
Engine leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (40% of the total).
48
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 40% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 6 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 4 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 4 | 8% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 3 | 6% | — flat |
| Brakes | 3 | 6% | — flat |
| Airbags | 2 | 4% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 2 | 4% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 4% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 2% | — flat |
| Seats | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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…”
“WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STARTED JERKING SOON AFTER VEHICLE DIED AND WAS TOWED. TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK”
“BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON JULY 31, 2002 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:45PM ON ROUTE 2 IN THE EAST BOUND HIGH SPEED LANE. I FELT THE CAR VIBRATE. BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT APPROXIMATELY 65M.P.H. I SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND BACK INTO THE LEFT LANE ATTEMPTING TO…”
“AFTER PARKING PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. WHILE SITTING BEHIND STEERING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
“AFTER PARKING PULLED UP PARKING BRAKE WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. WHILE SITTING BEHIND STEERING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE TOOK OFF, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
NHTSA data argues against it: 48 complaints put the 1998 model at #7 of 19 Trooper years. It is one of the Trooper years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (19 complaints), transmission (6 complaints), speed control (4 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1998 Isuzu Trooper. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Trooper years to avoid are 1999, 1991, 1996, 1995, 2000, 1994, 1998. The cleanest record among Trooper years belongs to 1984.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.