2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper Reliability Score: 6.5 out of 10

89 NHTSA Complaints

2 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

8 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

6.5 / 10

Reliability score

About as many complaints of failed or replaced engines and transmissions as similar compact sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles and pull this score down.

Owners filed 58 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 49.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall58 complaints against about 49 for similar vehicles

6.6

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced16 complaints against about 9 for similar vehicles

5.7

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

What owners describe

Of the 16 complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit, 11 describe a failed or replaced engine; 5 describe a failed or replaced transmission. One complaint can describe more than one.

“The engine failed and the manufacture stated they were not going to assist because the vehicle was not properly taken of, after the consumer provided the manufacture with the necessary paper work, they still declined any financial assistance. *jb” 2001 model year

“Transmission failed on this vehicle 4 times the first one was before the 50000 miles and every year after that. It stall on the freeway and is a hazard to drive if you are in a remote area. *jb” 2000 model year

By model year

20005.7
20017.1
20027.8

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

6VE1

3.5L 6-cyl

66 complaints 22.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

transmission

brakes

fuel system

Isuzu Trooper Unidentified Engine

23 complaints 7.7 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

transmission

other

fuel system

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Isuzu Trooper, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 38 owner complaints

Cooling System: 35 owner complaints

Transmission: 17 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper

On a used 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (38), the cooling system (35) and the transmission and drivetrain (17). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper about the engine.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 35 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper about the cooling system.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper about the transmission and drivetrain.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper

Recalls (2)

00V376000Nov 14, 2000serious

Engine & Cooling

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.

00V253000Sep 7, 2000serious

Fuel System

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, AN INTERIOR FUEL LINE AND FUEL HOSE CAN BE SEPARATED, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

2 engines / 1,029 complaints

3 engines / 16 complaints

4 engines / 62 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

4 engines / 109 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper complaints?

Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the transmission.

Is the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper have?

NHTSA has 89 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls covering some 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Isuzu Trooper?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Trooper have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2002 Isuzu Trooper. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 89 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.