Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Isuzu Trooper, and it carries 2 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 | 9 | 18% |
| Tires | 7 | 14% |
| Structure | 5 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 10% |
| Suspension | 5 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
22 YEARS AGO, ON FEB. 22, 1995 I WAS DRIVING DOWN SILVERADO CANYON RD., WHICH IS A VERY CURVY 2 LANE ROAD. AFTER A CURVE I SAW 2 CARS DRIVING TOWARDS ME, ONE PASSING THE OTHER, COMING TOWARDS ME IN MY LANE. I DID THE ONL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ISUZU TROOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLES FEEL LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALWAYS ACTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE RPMS ARE CONSTANTLY IDLING. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN AN OIL LEAK; HOWEVE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
POWER STEERING HOSE STARTED HAVE MASSIVE LEAK ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND IT WAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD SPRAYED ALL OVER EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH INCLUDED SOAKING THE ALTERNATOR, W
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I HAVE A 94 ISUZU TROOPER SUBN, MY MOTOR NEEDS REPLACING THIS IS LESS THEN A YEAR. I REPLACED A WATER PUMP 2XS, MOTOR VEALCOVER KASITS/MOTOR INSIDE WAS NO GOOD. I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THE DRIVER SHIFT IS LOOSE. I GI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THE CAMSHAFT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #94V132000, REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DEC. 26, 2005 MY HUSBAND WENT TO WORK AT 3:00PM IN THE AFTERNOON. ON DEC 27,2005 HE CAME HOME AT 3:30 AM IN THE MORNING, HE GOT IN THE SHOWER AND WHEN HE GOT OUT OUR DOG STARTED TO BARK, SO HE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW INTO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY HUSBAND CAME HOME FROM WORK , TURNED THE TRUCK OFF CAME IN THE HOUSE. GOT IN THE SHOWER 30 MINUTES LATER WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER HE HEARD A POP AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FROM UNDER TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WAS JUST INFORMED ABOUT THE VALUE OF REPORTING THIS. IN 1997, UNDER WARRANTY-I SHOWED A LINE IN THE FRAME TO A ISUZU DEALER/MECHANIC WHO FAILED TO IDENTIFY THIS AS A CRACK IN THE FRAME. SINCE THEN, THE CRACK HAS CIRCUMVE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CAN STICK SO THAT THE ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY DECREASE UPON RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE CABLE TO DELAY RPM AND VEHICLE SPEED REDUCTION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED, WHICH IN TURN, CAN LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE RUBBER BOOT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
CONSTANT EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSES THE CAMSHAFT SEAL END PLUG CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE CAMSHAFT.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE FROM OIL LEAKING ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL CAMSHAFT END SEAL PLUG RETAINER PLATES.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 9 of them (18%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.