Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Isuzu Trooper, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 20% |
| Power train | 12 | 20% |
| Wheels | 9 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 7% |
| Tires | 4 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STUCK WHICH CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NOT TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT T
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH AND SHIFTING FROM LOWER TO HIGHER LEVER GEAR VEHICLE EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR CONSUMER WAS AT A TOLL BOTH WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. SHE PULL OVER INTO THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE WIT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*JB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1991, TROOPER, P235/75R15 SIZE. TREAD ON LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK CONSUMER STATES VIBRATION STARTED AT 40 MPH AND THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN, BRIDGESTONE DESERT DUELER TIRE. *
NHTSA complaint: Tires
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 75MPH ON HIGHWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAUSE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, AND FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES. *AK DRIVER DIED FROM HEAD INJURIES, I PERSON WAS INJURED, TIRES W
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO FAILURE OR LEAKAGE AND THIS TRANSMISSION WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF SLIPPAGE AFTER DRIVING 40 MILES ON HIGHWAY. TROOPER WAS BEING OPERATED ON I-895 IN BALTIMORE AT 50 MPH WHEN SMOKE WA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1991 Isuzu Trooper. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.
Risk: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE TRAILER CAN SEPARATE FROM THETOWING VEHICLE, AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.
PUTTING IN MORE TRANSMISSION OIL THAN SPECIFIED CAN CAUSE OIL TO BLEED THROUGH AIR GROOVE ON TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IF OIL TEMPERATURE RISES.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE SMOKE EMISSION FROM THE MANIFOLD, WHICHCOULD IGNITE RUBBER HOSES AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE OIL LEVEL GAUGE AND NOTIFY OWNERS TO USE ONLY THE SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
IMPROPERLY INSTALLED HOSE ON THE OIL COOLER COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND COULD MELT.
Risk: ENGINE OIL COULD LEAK OUT WITH POTENTIAL FOR ENGINESEIZURE AND DAMAGE AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: PROPERLY INSTALL COOLER HOSE CLIP TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 61 | average |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 12 of them (20%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.