Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
0201S00301/01/200210002798V-6 fan clutch replacement procedures. *tt09/24/2003
9801L00408/01/1998602437Workshop manual revisions on cooling fan assembly torque specifications. *yc11/04/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
0301S00205/01/200310001772Throttle body mounting bolt torque specifications. *tt06/25/2003
IB00S00502/01/2000614139This information bulletin outlines the proper steps to index the camshafts with the crankshaft for vehicles equipped with direct attack dohc 3.2l / 3.5l v6 engine. in the event that camshaft timing has been disrupted, due to timing belt b09/29/2000
SB9901S00209/01/1999610116Maintenance schedule information: timing belt replacement interval and dohc v6 valve adjustment schedule. *tt04/17/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
SB0001S00504/01/2000612584Experiencing intermittent rough idle and / or the malfunction indicator lamp is on with diagnostic trouble codes p0171, p0174, or p1171. *tt06/09/2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
9801L00207/01/1998602252Workshop manual revisions on fan belt information. *yc10/20/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
SB0002S00203/01/2000SB0003S002612593Service information regarding all affected vehicles with the p1441 evaporative emission code that has been diagnosed with no fault found from the appropriate flow chart in the driveability and emissions manual. *tt06/09/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
06/22/2007110/15/2006
 Using 1 qt oil every 450 miles. *tr
07/01/199332000107/01/1993
 I purchased a used 1998 isuzu trooper in 1993. the previous owner kept all records of work done, per the manual. from the beginning i complained to the dealership that the car felt as though it was being held back while driving. the dealer checked out my car on two different occassions and found nothing. i then began to notice that i was putting oil in my isuzu every 300-500 miles. i took it to a friends certified mechanic and was told this was a common problem with this vehicle and the engine needed to be replaced. i had also purchased an extended warranty with the vehicle. i called them and they requested all oil change receipts which i supplied. i was then told that i would have to pay $1000.00 to have the engine taken out and at that point they would decide whether it was my fault or a defect. needless to say i didn't agree with paying $1000.00 since this is a known defect with this vehicle. i called isuzu and they couldn't have cared less. i don't have the $6000.00 needed to replace the engine. when will this finally be remedied? how many complaints have to be filed to make isuzu responsible for a known problem? there are so many complaints about this on the internet, yet people don't seem to know where to turn for help. *ak
06/20/200468000105/15/2003
 There was no accident. 1998 isuzu trooper engine began using excessive amount of oil. engine with 68,000 miles went from full oil level to warning light and motor failure (bearing and block breakage) within 2-3,000 miles. several experienced mechanics and extended warranty company (that denied coverage) say there is a know failure of these engines.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
02/01/2010500001
 Engine is exhibiting abnormally high oil consumption. one quart per 500 miles. imminent engine failure if problem is not corrected. *tr
01/06/2007820002001/15/2004
 I ahve a 1998 isuzu trooper. 3.5 v6. i used 1qt of oil every 500 miles. isuzu statse this is within specs. i disagree. several others have had the same problem as well as engines completely needed replacement. please help in making isuzu of north america own up to this flawed engine.
04/21/200663344103/31/2006
 Just bought a 98' trooper with the 3.5l. drove it for 1 week and got the oil changed. drove it for another week and the check engine light came on. took it to an auto parts store and had it checked with a handheld scanner. it said low flow through egr valve. tech said take it off and clean it, should be ok. next day on the way home motor starts knocking. babied it home, now knocking very bad. checked oil, it was dry. no warning! nothing! i only went 500 miles after the oil change. the truck is going in for a rebuild. this is going to cost $4000. i have not even made a payment on it yet! this is absurd. now, after the fact, i have read all the forums on this situation. too late for me. after all this time how is isuzu not being made to be held responsible for this? what about class action? seems like a great truck otherwise.
12/27/2004910001
 We were driving in my 1998 isuzu trooper with the 3.5 liter engine and about 90,000 miles on a family vacation to montana, as we came to our destination we were in the mountains. the cruise control was being used in our vehicle and was set at approximately 75 mph, the montana speed limit. the vehicle had to downshift to go up the mountain side upon getting to the top of the mountain the vehicle quickly began to make a strange noise. seconds later there was a loud boom and engine parts went flying everywhere, we had dropped 2 pistons out the bottom of the engine and nearly lost control of the car from such bad damage. we quickly pulled over to see what exactly had happened and noticed that the oil leaking from the bottom of the car had caught fire and we had to quickly extinguish it. we then picked up the engine parts from the highway to not hurt other vehicles. we contacted the local police and they aided us in getting to the nearest dealer 110 miles away. the dealer took over a week to replace the engine block and other components for a cost of over $6,000. the engine block and other damaged parts were disposed of properly. upon returning home and investigating i found that this incident is very common and has cost many people thousands of dollars. i believe that isuzu is aware of this problem and should fix it or reimburse people who have had these problems. this put my families safety and lives in harm and i think isuzu should be held accountable. *nm
05/01/2004500001
 I am the second owner of a 1998 isuzu trooper (3.5l v6 motor). i purchased the vehicle with approximately 43k miles on it. at just over 50k miles, the motor began to burn oil at the rate of one quart every 700-1000 miles driven. the rate of consumption is much higher if driven long distances at highway speeds. isuzu is trying to say that using one quart of oil per 1000 miles is acceptable. i say differently, as no other vehicle i have ever owned uses oil accordingly. (including my 1993 isuzu trooper). the problem seems to be well known by isuzu usa, but they refuse to take any corrective measure. the general information regarding the defect relates to the oil drain back holes in the pistons. this is a flawed design and causes engine failure routinely. i feel with the number of failures in the 1998+ isuzu 3.5l v6 motor, a recall should be conducted to properly address the issue. thank your for your time and consideration. *jb
07/20/2004550002008/05/1998
 98 isuzu trooper 3.5 engine burns oil excessively. i am original owner and regularly serviced per owners manual. at 55000 miles, engine oil light turned on 2,500 miles after oil change. over 4 qts low. $1400 repair bill (not covered by warranty) unable to fix oil burning issue. engine now at 75000 mi and burning approximately. 1 qt per 600-700 miles. seems to be common engine defect and known by mechanics and owners, but isuzu unwilling acknowledge problem. though monitoring constantly, am just waiting for significant engine failure. *la
06/01/20013459406/01/2001
 Excessive oil consumption. *ak
10/01/20031
 1998 troopers had a service bulletin regarding faulty intake gaskets, which they will not participate in replacing if the vehicle is out of the warranty period. there is a safety factor to this issue, my vehicle has stalled while at lower rpm's causing lose of control, after changing to updated gaskets the car no longer stalls. *la
1
 While traveling and without any indication vehicle started jerking soon after vehicle died and was towed. technician noticed transmission needed to be replaced. *ak
03/15/200103/01/1998
 Gaskets leaky. caused extra fuel to be dumped to engine. did not get burned. damaged all 6 spark plugs. necessitated flush of fuel injector, replacement of all 6 plugs, replacement of all gaskets. *ak
01/12/2000205/30/1998
 While driving, noticed white steam coming from hood. vehicle taken to dealer and informed of a head gasket failure, repairs were made at no cost to consumer. *ak the head gasket failure is a serious problem with isuzu troopers and should be investigated. *yh
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
01/15/20061
 I have a 1998 isuzu trooper with a 3.5l motor and it eats motors oil like no other. it does it everytime i have changed the oil since after about 50k miles. the motor consumes roughly 1qt of oil every 1000 miles, even after a recent oil change. i have looked on countless web sites and forums all over and this is a very common problem. people just do not know about this web site and what you do. this problem will persist and eventually end up in engine failure and can be a very costly problem. thousands of dollars later and a new motor, one will still have this problem for there is no way to fix it. the drain back holes in the oils rings is what i have been told the problem is. please contact isuzu about this problem and have then do a recall please! it would save a lot of money for everyone who drives a 3.5l isuzu/acura motor. *jb
06/06/2004740001
 1998 isuzu trooper 3.5 liter engine failure at 74,000 miles. no rebuilt or used engines available anywhere in usa. one garage in chandler, az said it was an engineering problem with failure #1 engine cylinder with 60 to 90,000 miles. they are doing alot of business with this, even selling overhauls on e-bay. *ak
12/10/200020
 Engine intermitently stalls at the various speeds specially at the free exits and the stops for traffic lights.*ak
10/01/2000
 Vehicle stalls when making slow turns and when coming to a stop. vehicle taken to dealer 4 times, cannot remedy. vehicle has stalled numerous times, up to 6 times a day. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
03/05/2004106/30/1998
 Isuzu trooper intake manifold is faulty. mfr. will not issue recall. *ak