IsuzuTrooper1991Overview/isuzu/trooper/1991/base/

1991 Isuzu Trooper

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Trooper.

Body SUV

The 1991 Isuzu Trooper is an SUV situated within a model generation spanning from 1990 to 2002, distinguished by three recalls and 61 total owner complaints that focus primarily on the engine and engine cooling area. This specific complaint volume positions the 1991 model year above the generation's minimum of 12 incidents seen in 2002, though it remains below the peak of 81 complaints recorded for the 1999 variant. For researchers, this placement indicates a reliability profile skewed toward higher complaint frequencies within the model's history, necessitating close attention to cooling system components despite the year not representing the absolute maximum risk.

Model year200220011995199419931992199119901989

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width65 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3620 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GM Part No. 12377967 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidGM Part No. 12377967
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid5W-30
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3.2 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 miDriveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cruise Control System (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic Line (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Ignition Timing (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 90,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)
At 120,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Isuzu Trooper marks a notable spike in federal complaints (61) compared to 1990 (34) and a subsequent drop in 1992 (29), suggesting a mid-cycle quality hiccup rather than a worsening trend. Recalls remained stable at three—consistent with 1990—while investigations declined slightly from seven to six, indicating that while complaints surged, regulators did not escalate scrutiny proportionally. The data reveals a concentration of issues in engine/cooling and powertrain systems (12 complaints each), alongside elevated fire-related complaints (16), which stand out relative to adjacent years. This year falls in the early phase of the generation’s complaint arc, where problems appear more pronounced before later years see fluctuating but generally lower complaint volumes. The lack of a clear root cause in the data limits definitive conclusions, but the 1991 model’s elevated complaints—particularly for fire and powertrain risks—warrant thorough pre-purchase inspection. **Takeaway: Proceed with caution; prioritize a detailed mechanical evaluation, especially of the engine, cooling, and electrical systems, to mitigate potential risks.**

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
61
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 16 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 61 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling12
Power Train12
Wheels9
Electrical System5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Tires4
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93E023000Trailer HitchesReported 22/07/1993

THE WELD ON THE RECEIVER UNIT OF THE TRAILER HITCH CAN BREAK. Remedy: REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH.

90V167000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 20/09/1990

PUTTING IN MORE TRANSMISSION OIL THAN SPECIFIED CAN CAUSE OIL TO BLEED THROUGH AIR GROOVE ON TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IF OIL TEMPERATURE RISES. Remedy: REPLACE OIL LEVEL GAUGE AND NOTIFY OWNERS TO USE ONLY THE SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
IB13-R-001G2023-05-08Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the…
WB08-X-001I2023-05-03EquipmentThis bulletin provides instructions with regard to the Isuzu Commercial Vehicle (CV)…
WB13-X-001B2022-08-30EquipmentIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
WB13-X-001A2022-08-02EquipmentIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
SB0012S0022000-03-01EquipmentTHIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES THE DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Trooper. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1991 Trooper have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.