Isuzu Trooper knocking problems

Filed Jan 20, 2008 · Engine · 102,000 miles · CO

I took my '99 isuzu trooper to get an oil change, and 3 weeks later the oil light turned on. I went to the isuzu dealership where I bought the car and after checking the oil, they noticed that there are less than a liter in the engine. They filled it and added a conditioner telling me that that should fix the problem. A few months later, driving back from a trip, the engine began knocking and the oil light came on again. Moments later I lost power (rpms) and pulled the car over. The mechanic who looked at my car told me (and this was confirmed by a consumer report website) that '99 troopers often have "unexplained loss of oil pressure resulting in the engine seizing." the car now needs a new engine (approx 4000-9000 dollars) or a new car. Nothing has been done to correct the failure or defect.

Filed Jun 11, 2007 · Engine · 79,000 miles · CO

Engine in my 2002 isuzu trooper burned up the main rod bearing in piston one due to insufficient oil pressure. Engine had to be replaced. Truck has 79k miles on it and was out of warranty. Isuzu of north america stated nothing would be done via the manufacturer. I replaced the engine myself at a cost of $4800.

Filed Apr 25, 2006 · Engine · 63,344 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 24, 2006 · Engine · 83,000 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45mph, there was a knocking noise within the engine compartment area. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined there was sludge in the engine and the oil was dry although the vehicle received regular maintenance. The mechanic replaced the engine.

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Engine · 77,000 miles · SD

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH the oil light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and the contact checked the level of oil. The oil level was not full, and oil needed to be added. The oil light then stayed off. When the vehicle started again, the light illuminated again and the engine began to knock and would not respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop which determined the crankshaft had gone bad and the rods and pistons were burned. As a result the engine must be replaced. Updated 3/17/2006 -

Filed Feb 25, 2006 · Engine · 85,000 miles · WV

Massive oil consumption problem. Vehicle burnt about one quart of oil every 1000 miles. Filled vehicle with fuel and checked oil. Took 3 hr trip. On the way home engine started knocking checked oil and it was dry. No low oil warning light or anything. Every shop and isuzu dealer says must have new engine $6500 dollars. Vehicle only has 85,000 miles. 2nd owner since 21,000 miles. Warranty for second owner is 60,000 miles original owner 100,000 miles. No engine has been replaced cost to much money. Vehicle is stilling in driveway.

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Engine · 90,224 miles · PA

I was driving home @ 12am had about 76 miles to go I heard a little bit of knocking I was trying to pull over and all of a sudden everything shut down and locked up. I was standing on the brakes and hanging on to the steering wheel trying to get across a lane and off to the side of the road and coast to a safe area. With no warning lights or warning what so ever my vehicle's engine seized and it was over that fast. I have maintained my vehicle with oil changes and now they are saying I had a sudden loss of oil and was lacking lubrication and rod # 1 broke and # 6 in wedged in the block and something else. Hello when they took the engine apart there was 2.5 quarts in the pan and the rest on the engine what do you mean lack of lubrication. They said this was an unusual circumstance and I have to come up with about 4500 to fix it. Get this I bought the extended warranty from honda care (apco for the used vehicles) they said it is unfortunate this happened to you but we will not cover it! This is a mystery and no one understands what happened but I have read numerous complaint on message boards and this is not an unusual problem. I don't recommend isuzu to anyone after all I have read. Also honda care (apco)for used cars they will find a way to tell you no not there problem. Second time they will not cover something for me. I paid $1000 for the warranty and all they can say is sorry for your loss! The dealership is trying and trying to get them to honor it and apco wants what the defected part that caused failure. Nobody knows! Dealership is great and a very big dealership @ that and they seem to care about me and my situation and not just telling me to go away. Great people 2nd car I got from them. Dealership who sells this extended warranties believe this is ridiculous and feel it should be fixed.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Engine · 55,000 miles · GA

I have a 99 trooper with 70k miles on it. The engine starts to burn oil and now it burns 5 quarts of oil within 3 months. No warning light. I heard the ticking sound. When I took it to a garage, I was told the engine was bone dry. This is the second time it happens. Last time it runs out of oil in 4 months. I do oil change on a regular 30k miles basis and I do other maintenance too. I feel I am risking losing the engine any time if I don't check the dipstick every week. This is awful. Isuzu should recall this model or at least do something. It is so unfair for car owners like me.

Filed Jul 14, 2004 · Engine · 128,000 miles · WV

1999 isuzu trooper purchased new. Began experiencing excessive oil consumption between oil changes around 50k miles. Regularly took a qt of oil every 1k miles. Oil and filter changed every 3k. Dealer service manager said this was normal oil use for this engine. At 128k engine fails 4 hrs from home (sept 2003). Nearest dealer is called and says it has thrown a piston due to lack of oil. We pay to have the vehicle towed back to our local dealership service department. Engine is replaced at our cost. We have engine dismantled by ase certified mechanic and the failure was a spun rod bearing. No evidence of lack of oil. This is a terrible engine and would recommend anyone driving an isuzu with this engine get rid of it asap.

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Engine · 55,897 miles · WI

I have a 99 isuzu trooper s, and have owned it less than one year. I bought it with about 51.500 miles. It now has 8000 miles on. I live in a small town and I use this vehicle for minimal purposes. Getting mail, groceries, etc. Small errands of the sort. I was on the way over to my in-laws and noticed a ticking sound and then the oil light flashed. They live about three blocks away. My father-in-law checked the oil and then added four quarts before it even registered. Neither myself nor my husband have ever noticed an oil stain or any evidence of oil loss. After he added the oil, the knocking subsided and it seemed fine the next couple of days as I used it around town. Then on my way out of town, in about 20 mi, I heard a knocking sound, but the temperature was fine and there were no warning lights on. I decided to stop anyway and to call a tow truck in fear of any further damage that driving may cause. The service station that looked at it has informed me that the engine is shot. The isuzu company has a powertrain limited warranty for a period of 60 mo/60000, whichever is earlier. I have been told by my local isuzu dealership that the "in-service" date is 03-03-99, and that it is out of warranty. Although it is still under the 60kmi and only four months over the 60 months, they will do nothing to help. I also contacted the isuzu owner relations department and received the same response. In my further investigations, I have found numorous complaints of the same type of problems . It seems to be that this mysteriously missing oil problem occurs in the 98 and 99 models. I'm currently at a stand still on what path to take. My vehicle is at the local service garage, unfixed . I have contacted the better business bureau with a complaint. I am waiting to hear back from them. Meanwhile, could you please investigate this problem. Thank you.