- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The line can be damaged during vehicle operation and can result in brake fluid leakage, reduced brake effectiveness, and increased stopping distances.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Isuzu Trooper Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1997 Isuzu Trooper with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (4) and the brakes (3). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 2 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in June 1997 for the hoses, lines / piping, and fittings. For comparison, the 1996 has 51 and the 1998 has 42.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Trooper year, for its age
#148 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Isuzu Trooper problems
Share of all 13 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Isuzu Trooper recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- These vehicles were manufactured without a lock washer and/or screws in the front hub.
- The risk
- The bearing adjustment nut can loosen, resulting in too much free play between the wheel and axle. The bearing can seize, causing the wheel to lock affecting vehicle directional control increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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13 complaints about the 1997 Isuzu Trooper
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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 get our money back...The vehicle is not drivable....Please help. *Tr
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 of time.*Ak dealership(s) used this window of time to thier advantage to avoid repairing vehicle under warranty, sending consumer away to see if it works. Manaufacturer recommends synthetic oil to correct. Does not work. Several incidents. Countless failures. Will pay out of pocket for new lifters, approximately $1,800.00.
During braking, with no gas pedal pressure being applied, engine continued at high rpms making braking difficult. Vehicle with no gas pedal pressure would proceed at 30 mph in drive position of auto trans. Upon exiting roadway, when appling gas pedal while in park position, and releasing peddle, rpms were at 2200. Pedal was opperating freely and throttle cable/yoke was in fully returned position. I then continued looking for any obvious obstructions or seperated vacumn lines. Nothing appeared wrong. I then...
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disconnected the mass air sensor causing the engine to stall. Upon reconnecting ams and restarting engine, idle returned to around 700 rpm's and no further problems occured for the remainder of my drive(approx 100mi more) no further diagnostics were performed yet. Vehicle is well maintained and has 65000 miles use.*Ak
Cutch failure causing vehicle to be inoperable stranding driver in traffic. Second clutch failure for this vehicle with in 37,000 miles of highway driving
Clutch throwout bearing failed causing vehical to be inoperable stranding driver in traffic
A hideous, loud noise comes from underneath the chassis. The dealer told me it comes from the muffler. It was reported to the dealer while the vehicle was still under warranty. The dealer and manufacturer refuse to correct the problem. The dealer tells me that it would cost in excess of $800 to fix the problem. This is a manufacturing defect and should be fixed either by the dealer or the manufacturer. There should have been a service bulletin or a recall on this problem, because the dealer, when I mentioned the problem the very first time, picked up on it right away.*Ak
Brake fluid leaks. Brake light would come on. Brake pedal would go to the floor when appl steering shaft. *Ak
While accelerating away from a stop sign I depressed the cluth to engage second gear. The clutch pedal dropped to the floor and I coasted to a stop in the middle of traffic and had to push the vehicle off the road out of harms way. The failure was in the
The brake system does not hold the vehicle in a steep slope and vehicle experiences extended stopping distances continually. *Mjs
The throwout bearing failed where it attaches to the pressure plate. The attachment point is composed of a series of spring steel fingers that are held to the pressure plate with a spring steel clip. The spring steel clip separated from the fingers causing the clutch to be inoperable. The pressure plate and driven plate are in good condition and had only minimal wear. Instead of pushing the fingers on the pressure plate this design pulls the fingers. The design is extremely weak and an additional failure will...
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occur. Once the connection between the throwout bearing and pressure plate fail it is impossible to drive the vehicle and the driver is stuck in the road and unable to avoid other vehicles or manuever around dangerous spots. The only solution is a strurdier design that is able to absorb the daily use of the clutch. *Ak.
FUEL WARNING LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. *YC
Power steering box shaft sector and pitman arm failed. Mjs
Consumer was involved in a rear end collision traveling about 45 mph, impact 30 mph, damage to the front end. The driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy, causing injuries to the driver and the passenger. *Ak
Isuzu Trooper: every year compared
All Trooper years1997 Isuzu Trooper vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Isuzu Trooper | 13 | 2 | B | |
| 1997 Isuzu Rodeo | 118 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu Hombre | 25 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu Oasis | 9 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu NPR | 4 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu FSR | 2 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu Pickup Truck | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu Amigo | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Isuzu 1400 | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Isuzu Trooper
Does the 1997 Isuzu Trooper have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (June 1997); suspension (March 1997). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Isuzu Trooper?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (4), brakes (3), engine & cooling (2).
How many complaints has the 1997 Isuzu Trooper had?
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 3, 1997 and the latest on October 2, 2010. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Isuzu Trooper a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 71 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Isuzu Trooper year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Isuzu Trooper years have the most complaints?
1999 (81), 1991 (58), 1995 (56). See every Isuzu Trooper year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Isuzu Trooper has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data