The 1996 Isuzu Trooper has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,012 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC97V0920011997-06-036,667 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
SEAT BELTS96V2480011996-12-122,345 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION
7
SUSPENSION:FRONT
5
2crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
TIRES:SIDEWALL
4
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
3
TIRES
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
Total complaints66
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“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”
“Tire delamination. *nlm”
“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”
“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”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP96011 Opened 1996-08-20 · open
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Isuzu Trooper as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.