Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Isuzu Trooper, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension13
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Power train7
- Structure6
- Tires5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Air bags3
- Equipment3
- Seats2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Isuzu Trooper failed the safety check 4.69% of the time — 220% more often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 143,082 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
66 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 366 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 108 of these cars first registered in 1996 took their annual MOT test. 66% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1996 the figure was 65%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Body, chassis, structure | 18.5% | 9.7% |
| Suspension | 13.0% | 11.5% |
| Brakes | 12.0% | 11.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.3% | 16.1% |
| Visibility | 8.3% | 6.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.5% | 6.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
1 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 16.0–16.5 L/100 km (about 14–15 mpg US), CO₂ 368–380 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trooper 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.7 | 13.9 | 16.0 |
| Trooper 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 18.3 | 14.4 | 16.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Isuzu Trooper.
| 1997133 23 Jul 1997 | Brakes VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION. THIS LINE COULD B… |
| 1997024 30 Jan 1997 | Seats And Restraints THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT REAR CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THIS BUCKLE WILL NOT ACCOMMODATE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT LATCH PLAT… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Isuzu told its dealers about the 1996 Isuzu Trooper: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 606029 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHOR KIT. *TT |
| 602255 | A NEW TYPE OF LSD LUBRICANT WAS INTRODUED WHICH CONTAINS FRICTION MDIFIERS, NECESSARY FOR PROPER LSD FUNCTION. *YC |
| 52654 | NEW DUAL AIR BAG SAFETY MATERIALS. *TW |
| 52196 | 1996-97 TROOPER (UX) WINDSHIELD MOLDING TAPPING NOISE. *TW |
| 10237146 | This 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. |
| 10218932 | Isuzu 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 |
| 10218927 | Isuzu 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. |
| 10001770 | TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 10000816 | TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
RISK OF ROLLOVER
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation