Model year guide

1988 Isuzu Trooper

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Isuzu Trooper is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 21 on record.

1988 Isuzu Trooper — representative photo
Representative photo

1988 Isuzu Trooper at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints22
Combined15 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Isuzu Trooper recalls 2

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #93E023000 · 22/07/1993

THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK.

Fix: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System NHTSA Campaign #89V001000 · 04/12/1989

DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN A BOLT THAT FIXES THE HEATER TO THE VEHICLE BODY AND A FUEL DELIVERY PIPE AND BETWEEN A REAR HEATER HOSE CLIP, USE UNDER SERVERE CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE PIPE RUPTURE AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Fix: INSTALL NEW LINES AND A CLIP.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1988 Isuzu Trooper common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1988 Isuzu Trooper MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,450
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1988 Isuzu Trooper costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,250
Fuel only$22,250
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 5

HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA92018 · Visibility · opened Jun 1992 · closed Apr 1993

DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES Closed

DEFECTIVE HEATER CORES

NHTSA #DP92005 · Visibility · opened Mar 1992 · closed Jun 1992

REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION Closed

NHTSA #EA91033 · Structure · opened Jul 1991 · closed Jul 1992

REAR DOOR HINGE SEPARATION Closed

NHTSA #PE91046 · Structure · opened Feb 1991 · closed Jul 1991

DIESEL ENGINE SURGE Closed

NHTSA #PE90087 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jun 1990 · closed Oct 1990

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 4

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio…

Bulletin IB13-R-001G · May 2023

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001B · Equipment · Aug 2022

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001A · Equipment · Aug 2022

THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES THE DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CONVERSION / RETROFIT. *TT

Bulletin SB0012S002 · Equipment · Mar 2000

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TROOPER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Isuzu Trooper

The Isuzu Trooper is a mid-size SUV manufactured and marketed by Isuzu between September 1981 and September 2002 over two generations, the first, produced between 1981 and 1991; and the second (UBS) produced between 1991 and 2002, the latter with a mid-cycle refresh in 1998. In its earliest iterations, the Trooper was based on the company's first generation Isuzu Faster/Chevrolet LUV pickup.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Isuzu Trooper vehicles on record

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Other Isuzu Trooper model years

2008 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983

1988 Isuzu Trooper — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Isuzu Trooper have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Isuzu Trooper. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Isuzu Trooper?

Across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, wheels, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Isuzu Trooper get?

The 1988 Isuzu Trooper has a U.S. EPA estimate of 15 mpg combined (15 city / 17 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.