Owners filed 51 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 2 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Suspension
6
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
5
2
0
1
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
4
0
0
0
Tires
3
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
2
0
0
0
Tires › Sidewall
2
0
0
0
Structure › Body
2
1
0
4
Structure
2
0
0
0
Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
2
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
2
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings97V092001
Filed Jun 3, 19976,667 vehiclesIsuzu Motors Limited
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.
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.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other96V248001
Filed Dec 12, 19962,345 vehiclesIsuzu Motors Limited
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.
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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 3, 2017124,567 milesMA
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
Filed Apr 1, 201472,075 milesPA
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
Filed Feb 19, 2009180,000 milesAL
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
Filed Apr 14, 2003118,500 milesTX
TIRE DELAMINATION. *NLM
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo/Supercharger
Filed Jan 17, 2003WA
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING HAVING PROBLEM WITH FUEL RAILS. DEALER INSTALL THE WRONG HOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 29, 2002IN
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
Filed Dec 3, 2001MA
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
Filed Apr 25, 2001NY
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
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank AssemblyFire
Filed Mar 13, 2001VA
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
Tires
Filed Mar 13, 2001FL
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Mar 7, 2001NY
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
Filed Jan 25, 2001NC
TRANSMISSION BLEWOUT REQUIRING TOTAL REPLACEMENT. *AK
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 10, 2001CO
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 3, 2001OR
ABS SYSTEM CANNOT BE MADE OPERABLE BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ISUZU CORP. CAN'T DETERMINE PROBLEM OR SOLUTION.
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Oct 14, 2000KS
SIDEWALL FAILURE IN BOTH INCIDENTS (DOT NUMBER: ELMTCLL156 TIRESIZE: P245/70R16)
Tires › Sidewall
Filed Oct 14, 200060,000 milesKS
SIDEWALL FAILURE IN BOTH ACCIDENTS. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****734337
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Jul 6, 2000KS
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
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Apr 28, 1999GA
CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED 2 TIMES
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 29, 1999PR
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
Filed Feb 17, 1999MT
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
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 3, 1997. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.