1996 Isuzu Trooper Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Isuzu Trooper, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension1320.3%
- Transmission812.5%
- Engine812.5%
- Body & structure69.4%
- Tires & wheels57.8%
- Driver assistance46.3%
- Airbags34.7%
- Electrical34.7%
- Fuel system34.7%
- Visibility23.1%
- Brakes23.1%
- Interior & seats23.1%
- Steering23.1%
- Powertrain (other)11.6%
- Other / unspecified11.6%
- Exterior lighting11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
OWNER COMPLAINING TRUCK HAS HANDLING PROBLEMS. THE FRONT VEHICLE HEIGHT NEEDED TO BE REDUCED. TORSION BAR ADJUSTED TO ELIMINATE THE TOP-HEAVY, TIPPY FEELING. ALSO, IT HAS A LOOSE STEERING BOX; EXCESSIVE PLAY BETWEEN THE INPUT AND OUTPUT SHAFTS; CAUSING PRONOUNCED ROAD DRIFT WHEN IT IS WINDY AND CAUSES DRIVER TO OVERSHOOT STEERING INPUT, AT TIMES.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
2 LEAKING O-RINGS IN THE WATER OUTLET NECK OF THE CORE CAUSED THE ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL SICK, RADIATOR LEAKING FROM THE SEAM AT THE TANK NLM
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING HAVING PROBLEM WITH FUEL RAILS. DEALER INSTALL THE WRONG HOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
2 LEAKING O-RINGS IN THE WATER OUTLET NECK OF THE CORE CAUSED THE ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL SICK, RADIATOR LEAKING FROM THE SEAM AT THE TANK NLM
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ENGINE HESITATES AND STALLS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE DELAMINATION. *NLM
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DURING COLLISION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE HESITATES AND STALLS.
CD CHANGER DOES NOT HAVE A COUNT ON BUMPS AND ODD TURNS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2 LEAKING O-RINGS IN THE WATER OUTLET NECK OF THE CORE CAUSED THE ODOR OF ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL SICK, RADIATOR LEAKING FROM THE SEAM AT THE TANK NLM
WHEN DRIVING IN WET AND FREEZING WEATHER CONDITONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INOPERATIVE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILTY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS SYSTEM CANNOT BE MADE OPERABLE BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ISUZU CORP. CAN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM OR SOLUTION.
CONSUMER IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE HESITATES AND STALLS.
DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK AND ANCHORS, WHEN DRIVING THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT IN BACK OF THE SEAT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
OWNER COMPLAINING TRUCK HAS HANDLING PROBLEMS. THE FRONT VEHICLE HEIGHT NEEDED TO BE REDUCED. TORSION BAR ADJUSTED TO ELIMINATE THE TOP-HEAVY, TIPPY FEELING. ALSO, IT HAS A LOOSE STEERING BOX; EXCESSIVE PLAY BETWEEN THE INPUT AND OUTPUT SHAFTS; CAUSING PRONOUNCED ROAD DRIFT WHEN IT IS WINDY AND CAUSES DRIVER TO OVERSHOOT STEERING INPUT, AT TIMES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDOMETER PERFORMS ERRATICALLY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE HESITATES AND STALLS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .