1996 Isuzu Trooper
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Isuzu › Trooper › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Isuzu Trooper. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Isuzu Trooper. Newest first.
The left front brake lines were installed improperly at the assembly line resulting in insufficient clearance between the brake line and an upper control arm of the suspension.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The line can be damaged during vehicle operation and can result in brake fluid leakage, reduced brake effectiveness, and increased stopping distances.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the clearance between the brake line and the upper control arm. if the clearance IS not according to specifications, the brake line will be replaced.
Certain vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect rear center seat belt assembly buckle. the misbuild involved fitting a buckle for another market with the correct u.s. Specification seat belt.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Such installation results in a rear center seat belt assembly in which the belt tongue cannot be inserted into the buckle and a consquent inability of the system to provide proper occupant restraint during panic braking of the vehicle or an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear center seat belt tongue and buckle and incorrect buckle assemblies will be replaced.
Owner complaints
51 complaints5 involved a crash1 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system · Steering · Suspension
It IS a strong vehicle good performance but the frame does not support enough problems with the stability of the vehicle on the roads or in emergency maneuvers along the way. Due to corrosion and rupture in the chassis specifically in the connections with the front and rear suspension control…
It IS a strong vehicle good performance but the frame does not support enough problems with the stability of the vehicle on the roads or in emergency maneuvers along the way. Due to corrosion and rupture in the chassis specifically in the connections with the front and rear suspension control arms. (Poor quality steel) another point IS a smell of fuel and spillage, by the fuel tank. (Fire risk) all these conditions result in risk management, loose vehicle control and rollover possibility.
- Structure › Body
The frame IS rusted out and falling off in chunks. I didn't get an inspection done in jan 2013 because I was told the year before that the rust IS getting bad. Other than the frame, the vehicle IS in outstanding condition. It isn't a safe vehicle. do I have any recourse? *tr
- Vehicle speed control
The accelerator sticks. The last time this happened, the accelerator stuck all the way to the floor and would not release. My only option was to cut the ignition. I noticed that there was a recall for 92-95 models, however, mine IS a 96 model. *Tr
- Tires › Sidewall
Sidewall failure in both accidents. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****734337
- Tires
Tire delamination. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Other fuel types › Turbo/supercharger
Consumer called complaining having problem with fuel rails. Dealer install the wrong hose. Please provide further information. Ts
- Tires › Sidewall
Sidewall failure in both incidents (dot number: elmtcll156 tiresize: p245/70r16)
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving around 25 mph , consumers vehicle broadsided another vehicle, and both driver and passenger airbags failed to deploy. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. *Ak consumer stted the vehicle was a total loss.*slc
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
I have had an ongoing problem w/antifreeze smell, I have taken it in to shop several times the last having a hose to the transmission replaced which seemed to temporarily remove problem for about a year but the smell IS coming back. it took three visits to find it the first time.. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Two transmission lines were leaking fluid when at idle. nlm
- Tires
The right front tire blewout while parked in a parking lot causing damage to the turn signal and fender, several days later the left front tire blewout while still at the dealer being repaired causing additional damage to the vehicle, the consumer request reimbursement (general grabber st tires p245-70r16). nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
On saturday, march 3, 2001 at about 9 am I pulled into the mobil gas station in cascades shopping center, sterling, va to refuel. my tank was on "e". I turned off the vehicle, popped the gas cap door open from inside the vehicle, exited the car and walked around the rear of the vehicle to…
On saturday, march 3, 2001 at about 9 am I pulled into the mobil gas station in cascades shopping center, sterling, va to refuel. my tank was on "e". I turned off the vehicle, popped the gas cap door open from inside the vehicle, exited the car and walked around the rear of the vehicle to refuel. I began to turn the gas cap with my right hand. as I did so, I heard a "hissing" sound and then flames immediately shot out of the tank. the bright orange flames burned steadily aproximately 18 inches from the vehicle fuel neck. people at the station began to run away from the vehicle. I immediately removed my 18 month old daughter from the vehicle and ran away with her in my arms. a bystander put the fire out with a nearby extinguisher. the fire department arrived on the scene after the fire was out. they pronounced the fire out and my vehicle was towed to the isuzu dealership for inspection. I have several witnesses who said they have not seen anything like this before. this could be a possible static fire.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines · Vehicle speed control
At 40,000 miles coolant fumes commenced to come into vehicle while driving. Vehicle been in / out of dealer's shop on seven occasions, and made various repairs, but problem still reoccurring. *ak consumer first complained of an anti-freeze smell in engine compartment and cab, an independent…
At 40,000 miles coolant fumes commenced to come into vehicle while driving. Vehicle been in / out of dealer's shop on seven occasions, and made various repairs, but problem still reoccurring. *ak consumer first complained of an anti-freeze smell in engine compartment and cab, an independent mechanic stated that a head gasket had blown, however dealer stated nothing was wrong, consumer went to another dealer who replaced head gasket, after repair consumer could still smell antifreeze, in october dealer found a hole in the heater hose and replaced it, smell was still present so consumer had engine steam cleaned which still did not get rid of odor, the odors were causing consumer's face to get numb and caused him to get sleepy, finally 2 orings were found leaking in the plastic neck of the core. transmission fluid leak when at idle, dealer replaced 2 hose clamps for coolant lines. cruise control cuts out and engine races when going uphill. *slc
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission blewout requiring total replacement. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS system cannot be made operable by service department. Isuzu corp. Can't determine problem or solution.
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration while traveling at highway speed. dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.*ak the consumer stated that the vehicle was stopped only by slamming at the brake pedal forcefully which caused the brakes to smoke. *yh
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
The lug: nuts are being torque too tight, causing the lug: nuts to freeze onto the lug, which breaks if changing the tire. please provide further information.*ak
- Structure
Wife nearly flipped the vehicle while trying to avoid a car in front of her. since then new coverage has rated the vehicle as unacceptable. owners are afraid to drive it--want to be refunded the purchase price of the vehicle.
- Structure
Owner wants refund--latest consumer reports show that the trooper IS unsafe to drive.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Catalytic converter replaced 2 times
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When coming to a full stop or when starting accelerating from a full stop, the truck will make a noise like something bumped it from the rear. I was told it was problem on the transmission, but the dealer refused to take a look at it when reported for the second time. The first time they said that they could not find anything wrong.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
My '96 isuzu trooper has been a lemon from day one. I have had the same problems three times with my engine valve cover gaskets. They leak oil onto my exhaust manifold, causing, a nauseous odor. around christmas of 98, I had to use evasive steering maneuvers to avoid rocks in the road. While…
My '96 isuzu trooper has been a lemon from day one. I have had the same problems three times with my engine valve cover gaskets. They leak oil onto my exhaust manifold, causing, a nauseous odor. around christmas of 98, I had to use evasive steering maneuvers to avoid rocks in the road. While steering quickly to the left then back to the right, trooper felt as if it might rollover into the oncoming traffic. I do not know what I would have expected from a so-called well engineered vehicle. I have also a long list of documented problems that I should share, but do not have the room. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
First visit to dealer for warranty service resulted in nothing being done. was told that tapping noise was a normal engine sound, although the engine wasn't making that sound when I purchased it new. second visit to dealer, after engine noise became increasingly louder, resulted in the entire…
First visit to dealer for warranty service resulted in nothing being done. was told that tapping noise was a normal engine sound, although the engine wasn't making that sound when I purchased it new. second visit to dealer, after engine noise became increasingly louder, resulted in the entire transmission being replaced. car was in shop for almost three weeks. a third and fourth visit for the same tapping noise in the engine resulted in more transmission work to replace a cracked flywheel and o-ring bearing, all of which have be replaced now three times. problem seems to re-occur about every 5000-7000 miles. obviously the dealer's service dept. Has yet to identify and correct the problem as it keeps happening.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine failed.
- Suspension
Vehicle suspension experiences instability.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Risk of rollover
Cu attorney (nancy perkins, arnold & porter) and odi agreed that an extension in the petition review process will be necessary to allow odi time to conduct a proper review of the new material submitted by cu on december 23, 1996.therefore, the new due date will be april 21, 1997.consumers union (cu) petitioned the…
Cu attorney (nancy perkins, arnold & porter) and odi agreed that an extension in the petition review process will be necessary to allow odi time to conduct a proper review of the new material submitted by cu on december 23, 1996.therefore, the new due date will be april 21, 1997.consumers union (cu) petitioned the agency to open an investigation to determine whether the 1995 and 1996 model isuzu trooper and acura slx vehicles are defective within the meaning of 49 u.s. C. Chapter 301.specifically, cu alleged that testing demonstrated a dangerous propensity of the subject vehicles to roll over while performing a dynamic steering maneuver to avoid emergancy situations.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10237146This 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 and component repairs not covered under warranty. Contact Alpine directly for pricing and payment methods applicable to radio and component repairs not covered under warranty.
- 10218932Isuzu 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 Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback. This bulletin was revised to add a Parts Warranty Form
- 10218927Isuzu 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 Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback.
- 10001770Transmission indicator light may be on and diagnostic trouble code p1870 IS set in the powertrain control module (pcm).
- 10000816Transmission indicator light may be on and diagnostic trouble code p1870 IS set in the pcm (powertrain control module).
- 606029Information regarding the availability of the child seat tether anchor kit.
- 602255A new type of lsd lubricant was introdued which contains friction mdifiers, necessary for proper lsd function.
- 52654New dual air bag safety materials.
- 521961996-97 trooper (UX) windshield molding tapping noise.
Every Isuzu Trooper model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.