ISUZU ASCENDER · model year

2006 ISUZU ASCENDER

49 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006ISUZUASCENDER carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 ASCENDER is electrical system with 9 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (6) and fuel/propulsion system (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2006 ASCENDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

49
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

49 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1

Recalls (6)

12V40600016/08/2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine,

15V51900014/08/2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlam

13V24800013/06/2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a sho

05V55200007/12/2005

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

05V45500005/10/2005

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

14V40400002/07/2014

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corro

Recent Complaints

20170322VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20160909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY DUE TO A BAD SENSOR. SENSOR IS IN FUEL TANK AND ESTIMATE TO FIX IS BETWEEN $600 AND $1000. ISUZU ADMITS THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART AND WOULD PAY TO REPLACE IF VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 120000 MILES AND LESS THAN TEN YEARS IN SERVICE. VEHICLE HAS 80000 MILES AND TEN YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS IN SERVICE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER.

Mileage: 80,000

20160909FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY DUE TO A BAD SENSOR. SENSOR IS IN FUEL TANK AND ESTIMATE TO FIX IS BETWEEN $600 AND $1000. ISUZU ADMITS THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART AND WOULD PAY TO REPLACE IF VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 120000 MILES AND LESS THAN TEN YEARS IN SERVICE. VEHICLE HAS 80000 MILES AND TEN YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS IN SERVICE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER.

Mileage: 80,000

20160824EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR AND DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE.

20160711ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY ON. I'VE GOTTEN IT CHECKED BY 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE. I'VE GOTTEN THE SAME RESPONSE FROM EACH. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD A MISFIRE, I NEEDED AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR/SEND UNIT, OXYGEN SENSOR BANK1/BANKA, AND THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING BAD FROM AROUND THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR. I GOT THE COILS CHANGED, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES DONE, CHANGED THE OIL PRESSURE AND OXYGEN SENSORS TOO. ABOUT A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER THAT THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON WITH THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING. THE OIL WAS FINE SO I TOOK IT TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC DONE ON IT AND TOOK IT FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE AGAIN NEEDED AN OXYGEN SENSOR AND OIL PRESSURE SENSOR/SENDING UNIT. I CHANGED THEM AGAIN AND THEY USED THREADING TAPE FOR THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR TO STOP THE LEAKING OF OIL. I'VE SPENT AROUND $800 SO FAR AND 2 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT IS BACK ON NEEDING THE SAME THINGS, OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR. I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED WITH A SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD THAT MAYBE IT'S A DEFECT IN

20160110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ISSUE STARTED WITH MY LIGHTS STAYING ON. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF COMPLETELY. MY BATTERY WAS DYING AND I FINALLY SEEN THAT SOME OF MY LIGHTS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WERE NOT SHUTTING OFF. I TRIED MANUALLY SHUTTING THEM OFF AND THAT DID NOT WORK. NOW MY HEAT AND AIR DOES NOT WORK. I'M SURE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK THE FUSES IT SHORTED OUT WHEN I PULLED THE COVER OFF. I HOPE MY CAR DOES NOT CATCH FIRE NEXT. I DO HAVE THE ISSUE WITH MY DRIVER DOOR NOT WORKING. IT WORKED WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR, A COUPLE MONTHS LATER MY DRIVER DOOR WINDOW WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. WHEN I CALLED ISUZU THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO TRAVEL TO ALABAMA IF I WANTED THEM TO FIX IT. OTHERWISE I COULD HAVE A MECHANIC DO IT AND I WOULD BE REIMBURSED, I JUST DONT HAVE 7-$800 TO THROW OUT THERE.

Mileage: 149,000

20150927EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY MINOR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON. I ASSUMED THAT IT MAY HAV BEEN AN MALFUNCTION IN MY SWITCH. BUT UPON A VERY DEAR AND CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE FOUND THE INFO FOR ME ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. SO NOT ONLY WAS ME AND MY FAMILY PUT IN HARMS WAY BUT THERR HAS BEEN AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE THAT ACCRUED AS WELL. ALSO I AM MORE BAFFLED THAT I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF ANY MEANS THAT CERTAIN ACTIONS WERE AND NEEDED 2 B TAKEN IN ORDER 2 GET THE ISSUE RESOLVED. I WOULD LIKE 4 THIS MATTER 2 B HANDLED PROMPTLY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER. AS THIS MATTER LEAVES ME UNABLE TO FEEL SAFE 2 DRIVE AFTER A CERTAIN TIME IN THE P.M. ALSO I READ THAT THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO B TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY I BUT OTHER CUSTOMERS R MADE AWARE OF THINGS SUCH AS THIS WHICH COULD BY ALL MEANS LEAD 2 SOMETHING MORE TRAGIC.

Mileage: 85,000

20150805ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHILE DRIVING. WAS AT A INTERSECTION AND LIGHT TURNED GREEN STARTED TO PULL AWAY AND SUV JUST DIED. TURNING KEY DID NOTHING, TRIED SEVERAL TIMES THEN STARTED AGAIN BUT WHEN PUT IN GEAR DIED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. TROUBLE SHOOTING BY GM DEALER FOUND DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH THAT SINCE NOT ON "RECALL LIST" OF GM CARS WITH DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE (INCLUDING TROUBLESHOOTING TIME COST AND TOWING)

Mileage: 45,000

20150517ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND IT DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS WINDOWS GET STUCK. THERE IS ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN MY VEHICLE AND IT CONCERNS ME FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN.

Mileage: 80,000

20150517UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND IT DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS WINDOWS GET STUCK. THERE IS ONGOING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN MY VEHICLE AND IT CONCERNS ME FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN.

Mileage: 80,000

20150326VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE HEATER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FAN RELAY SWITCH BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

20150326EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE HEATER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FAN RELAY SWITCH BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

20150203STRUCTURE:BODY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTING IN THE ROOF AREA OF THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

20150122FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE FUEL TANK AND STARTING THE ENGINE, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL GAUGE METER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

20140610FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHILE IT WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,462.

Mileage: 102,462

20140317CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WAS STRUCK BY A VAN STARTING AT DRIVERS DOOR MIRROR ALL THE WAY DOWN DRIVERS SIDE. DRIVERS DOOR OPENED ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED. SEAT BELT RELEASED AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ENGINE STALLED DURING ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20140317CrashAIR BAGS

WAS STRUCK BY A VAN STARTING AT DRIVERS DOOR MIRROR ALL THE WAY DOWN DRIVERS SIDE. DRIVERS DOOR OPENED ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED. SEAT BELT RELEASED AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ENGINE STALLED DURING ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20140317CrashSEAT BELTS

WAS STRUCK BY A VAN STARTING AT DRIVERS DOOR MIRROR ALL THE WAY DOWN DRIVERS SIDE. DRIVERS DOOR OPENED ALLOWING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED. SEAT BELT RELEASED AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ENGINE STALLED DURING ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

20130812FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROPERLY TRACK FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AND DISPLAYED AS EMPTY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20130629ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY OUR 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER MADE A LOT NOISE AND STOPPED RUNNING, LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT OFF THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH OUT GETTING MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN KILLED. THIS VEHICLE HAS GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED. A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED IT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEED A BRAND NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF "SUPPOSED" VALUE TAPS AND NOW I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION BLEW! I AM SO UPSET I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION BUT ALL I CAN LOCATE NOW IS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWITCH RECALL. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT HAS GONE WRONG WITH MY CAR! *TR

Mileage: 89,000

Compare 2006ISUZUASCENDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER have?
The 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER has 49 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER?
Yes, the 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER?
The most-complained component for the 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.