1996 Isuzu Trooper
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Isuzu Trooper is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.
1996 Isuzu Trooper at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Isuzu Trooper recalls 2
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.
Fix: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT TONGUE AND BUCKLE AND INCORRECT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Isuzu Trooper common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Isuzu Trooper safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Isuzu Trooper 4-DR 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1996 Isuzu Trooper MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Isuzu Trooper costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Isuzu Trooper. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
RISK OF ROLLOVER Closed
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 S…
NHTSA #DP96011 · Structure · opened Aug 1996 · closed Jul 1997An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 8
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
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…
Bulletin IB13-R-001G · May 2023Isuzu 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 War…
Bulletin WB13-X-001B · Equipment · Aug 2022Isuzu 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 War…
Bulletin WB13-X-001A · Equipment · Aug 2022TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT
Bulletin 0305S001 · Power Train · May 2003TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT MAY BE ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 IS SET IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT
Bulletin 0205S003 · Power Train · Dec 2002INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHOR KIT. *TT
Bulletin SB9914S007 · Seats · Apr 1999A NEW TYPE OF LSD LUBRICANT WAS INTRODUED WHICH CONTAINS FRICTION MDIFIERS, NECESSARY FOR PROPER LSD FUNCTION. *YC
Bulletin 9807L001 · Jul 19981996-97 TROOPER (UX) WINDSHIELD MOLDING TAPPING NOISE. *TW
Bulletin SB9711L003 · Visibility · Feb 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TROOPER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1996 Isuzu Trooper. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
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 BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND TH…
Transport Canada #1997133 · Jul 1997Seats 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 PLATE WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO INSERT THE LATCH PLATE INTO THE BUCKLE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND IF THE BUCKLE IS NOT THE CORRECT TYPE, THE REAR CENTER LEFT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A…
Transport Canada #1997024 · Jan 1997Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Isuzu Trooper
The Isuzu Trooper is a mid-size SUV manufactured and marketed by Isuzu between September 1981 and September 2002 over two generations, the first, produced between 1981 and 1991; and the second (UBS) produced between 1991 and 2002, the latter with a mid-cycle refresh in 1998. In its earliest iterations, the Trooper was based on the company's first generation Isuzu Faster/Chevrolet LUV pickup.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.