1997 Isuzu Trooper
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Isuzu Trooper is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.
1997 Isuzu Trooper at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1997 Isuzu Trooper recalls 2
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.
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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LOCK WASHER AND/OR SCREWS IN THE FRONT HUB.
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.
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.
1997 Isuzu Trooper common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1997 Isuzu Trooper safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Isuzu Trooper 4-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1997 Isuzu Trooper MPG & running costs
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 1997 Isuzu Trooper costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 10
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 2023Isuzu 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 2022Isuzu 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 2022TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT
Bulletin 0305S001 · Power Train · May 2003TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT
Bulletin 0205S003 · Power Train · Dec 2002SOME 1997 AND EARLIER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF TICKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE VALVETRAIN DURING NORMAL OPERATION. *TT
Bulletin SB0001S002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHOR KIT. *TT
Bulletin SB9914S007 · Seats · Apr 1999A NEW TYPE OF LSD LUBRICANT WAS INTRODUED WHICH CONTAINS FRICTION MDIFIERS, NECESSARY FOR PROPER LSD FUNCTION. *YC
Bulletin 9807L001 · Jul 1998SERVICE INFORMATION ON TEXT AND ARTWORK CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL (ETM), HAVE BEEN REVISED. *YC
Bulletin 97090198L008 · Electrical System · Sep 19971997 TROOPER (UX) ABS FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES (WORKSHOP MANUAL REVISION). *TW
Bulletin SB9709L001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TROOPER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Isuzu Trooper. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Brakes
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION. THIS LINE COULD BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND TH…
Transport Canada #1997133 · Jul 1997Suspension
THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LOCK WASHER AND/OR SCREWS (3 PCS./WHEEL) FOR THE LOCK WASHER OF THE FRONT HUB BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LOOSENING BETWEEN THE HUB AND THE KNUCKLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN BEARING SEIZURE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE LOCK WASHERS AND SCREWS ARE SECURELY TIGHTENED.
Transport Canada #1997064 · Mar 1997Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
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.