Model year guide

1998 Isuzu Trooper

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Isuzu Trooper is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 31 on record.

1998 Isuzu Trooper — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Isuzu Trooper at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints42
Combined15 mpg

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

1998 Isuzu Trooper recalls 1

Power Train:transfer Case (4-wheel Drive) NHTSA Campaign #98V180000 · 03/08/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE TRANSFER GEARBOX FLANGE NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING THE NUTS TO LOOSEN.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FRONT AND REAR FLANGE NUTS AND, IF FOUND LOOSE, TIGHTEN TO SPECIFIED TORQUE AND SECURED STAKED AT TWO PLACES.

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.

1998 Isuzu Trooper common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 42 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.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1998 Isuzu Trooper MPG & running costs

Combined15 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,450
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicle 4WD
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 1998 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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
180.7 in
Width
69.7 in
Height
72.4 in
Wheelbase
108.7 in
Curb weight
4,275 lb
Front track
59.8 in
Rear track
59.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Isuzu Trooper. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 26

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. Showing the 10 most recent of 26.

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

The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the chart below to find equivalent of similar p…

Bulletin IB09-X-002B · Equipment · Jul 2022

The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number will be issued solely for information trac…

Bulletin IB09-X-004C · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2022

This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85 vehicle.

Bulletin 05-06-04-035D · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2014

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT

Bulletin 0305S001 · Power Train · May 2003

THROTTLE BODY MOUNTING BOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. *TT

Bulletin 0301S002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003

TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT

Bulletin 0205S003 · Power Train · Dec 2002

REAR CUP HOLDER DOES NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. *TT

Bulletin 0211S003 · Equipment · Sep 2002

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

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Isuzu Trooper. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Powertrain

On certain vehicles, the front and rear output flange lock nuts of the Torque-On-Demand (TOD) 4WD system transfer case might not be staked. In such cases there is the possibility that the lock nut may loosen, resulting in separation of the propeller shaft. Correction: Front and rear lock nuts of the TOD transfer case will be inspected for staking, tightened and, if necessary, t…

Transport Canada #1999039 · Mar 1999

Source: 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.

1998 Isuzu Trooper trims & engines on record

Trims
S
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl

1998 Isuzu Trooper vehicles on record

1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu Trooper SJACDJ58X6W7904219 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu Trooper SJACDJ58X1W7908663 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101074 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101069 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101096 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101085 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7103645 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACDJ58X6W7911719 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101050 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101097 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7103714 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7100443 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJAATFS54HX7100621 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS73GW7101758 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACDJ58X0W7907049 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7102918 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7102037 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101991 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS69GV7104158 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101042 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101100 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101092 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101081 1998 Isuzu Trooper 1998 Isuzu TrooperJACUBS26GW7101086

Other Isuzu Trooper model years

2008 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983

1998 Isuzu Trooper — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Isuzu Trooper have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 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 1998 Isuzu Trooper?

Across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, power train, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Isuzu Trooper get?

The 1998 Isuzu Trooper has a U.S. EPA estimate of 15 mpg combined (14 city / 18 highway).

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