1997 Isuzu Trooper Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1997 Isuzu Trooper, and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
The left front brake lines were installed improperly at the assembly line resulting in insufficient clearance between the brake line and an upper control arm of the suspension.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the brake line and the upper control arm. If the clearance is not according to specifications, the brake line will be replaced.
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Suspension
These vehicles were manufactured without a lock washer and/or screws in the front hub.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front hubs to determine if the lock washer and screws were properly installed. If not, they will make the necessary repairs.
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Isuzu Trooper have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 73,010 miles. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“We bought a 1997 isuzu trooper in february of 2010 from a used dealer...the rear axle and the frame are severely rotted...the vehicle is unsafe and we have that in writing..what can we do?...we can't”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 2, 2010 · Structure
“Hydrolic lifters stick, very loud and noticable engine noise. They have stuck since shortly after purchase of vehicle. They unstick immediately after synthetic oil change, but only for a brief period”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 7, 2005 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–15 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–14 / 17 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Special Purpose Vehicles |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Isuzu Trooper model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Isuzu Trooper model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 3 |
| 1986 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 18 |
| 1987 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 6 |
| 1988 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 17 |
| 1989 Isuzu Trooper | 0 | 16 |
| 1990 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 23 |
| 1991 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 57 |
| 1992 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 25 |
| 1993 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 33 |
| 1994 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 47 |
| 1995 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 54 |
| 1996 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 51 |
| 1997 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 13 |
| 1998 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 42 |
| 1999 Isuzu Trooper | 0 | 81 |
| 2000 Isuzu Trooper | 2 | 49 |
| 2001 Isuzu Trooper | 1 | 29 |
| 2002 Isuzu Trooper | 0 | 12 |
Checking a specific 1997 Isuzu Trooper
How do I know if my 1997 Isuzu Trooper has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1997 Isuzu Trooper; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Isuzu dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 97V035001).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Isuzu models
- Rodeo2,477 complaints
- Ascender205 complaints
- Amigo185 complaints
- Axiom158 complaints
- Hombre122 complaints
- Rodeo Sport107 complaints
- Vehicross69 complaints
- Pickup Truck67 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.