Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Isuzu Trooper, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 14% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 10% |
| Tires | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2001 Isuzu Trooper. The contact stated while entering and starting the vehicle, he noticed an extreme heat in the interior of the vehicle coming from the engine. The contact proceeded to shift the gear
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. ONLY HIGH BEAMS WORKED. HAD TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. I SEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY BEING ADDRESSED AND RECALLED ON LATER MODEL ISUZ
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY SUV , ISUZU TROOPER OF 10YEARS, WAS PARKED IN A LIBRARY PARKING GARAGE AND AFTER IGNITION TURNED ON, I PUT IT IN REVERSE GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR RAPIDLY REVERSED AND BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT AN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY "BRIDGESTONE TIRE" SEPARATED AT THE TREAD AND PEELED OFF LIKE A BANANA AND I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO CRASH! THE TIRE STAYED INTACT AND THE BANDS WITH NO DEFLA
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHEN YOU STOP AT STOP SIGN OR LIGHT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. WHENEVER YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR IT JERKS AND TAKES OFF. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO SHIFT IN GEAR. IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
2001 ISUZU TROOPER WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION ACCUMULATOR AND BAD U-JOINT CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY WANT US TO REVIEW THE SAFETY ISSUES**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HAVING 3 SEPARATE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE THE FIRST BEIN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
2001 ISUZU TROOPER FUEL TANK. CUSTOMER WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS**CC THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING GAS. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WE HAVE HAD TO ADD 1-2 QTS OF OIL EVERY COUPLE THOUSAND MILES ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT SEE AN OIL LEAK (NO MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY) MECHANIC COULD FIND NO OIL LEAK OR PROBLEM OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON,AND MECHANIC SAID
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT WITH TOD (TORQUE-ON-DEMAND). IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED, FRONTAL CRASHES, MOVEMENT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, REINFORCED FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY. NOTE: THE FUEL LEAKAGE ISSUE IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NOT THE SAME AS THE ONE ADDRESSED IN THEIR PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN 00V-253.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 6 of them (21%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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 72/100. 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.