ISUZU I-280 · model year

2006 ISUZU I-280

17 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006ISUZUI-280 carries 17 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 I-280 is exterior lighting with 4 filings, followed by electrical system (4) and unknown or other (2). 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 2 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 I-280. 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.

17
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

17 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
TIRES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
SEAT BELTS1
AIR BAGS1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (2)

09V31000029/07/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIP

06V13900027/04/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH AR

Recent Complaints

20190122UNKNOWN OR OTHER

COUPLE OF WKS. AGO I HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT HUB WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHICH AFFECTED DRIVE SHAFT, ABS, EMER. BRAKE. THAT WAS FIXED . NOW TONIGHT DRIVING FROM A FRIENDS I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE SOUNDS LIKE UNDERNEATH GEAR BOX OR BEHIND HEATER WHAT IS IT. ALSO INTERIOR LIGHTS TURN CONTROL & HAVE TO HIT AROUND LIGHT FOR IT TO TURN ON, AND AROUND FACING OF HEATER TO ILLUMINATE HEATER CONTROLS! WHAT'S GOING ON? THIS ONLY HAPPENED IN GEAR NOT IN NEUTRAL.HIGHWAY & CITY.

Mileage: 181,000

20190122EXTERIOR LIGHTING

COUPLE OF WKS. AGO I HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT HUB WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHICH AFFECTED DRIVE SHAFT, ABS, EMER. BRAKE. THAT WAS FIXED . NOW TONIGHT DRIVING FROM A FRIENDS I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE SOUNDS LIKE UNDERNEATH GEAR BOX OR BEHIND HEATER WHAT IS IT. ALSO INTERIOR LIGHTS TURN CONTROL & HAVE TO HIT AROUND LIGHT FOR IT TO TURN ON, AND AROUND FACING OF HEATER TO ILLUMINATE HEATER CONTROLS! WHAT'S GOING ON? THIS ONLY HAPPENED IN GEAR NOT IN NEUTRAL.HIGHWAY & CITY.

Mileage: 181,000

20170823FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM TRUCK. LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CHEVY COLORADO PICKUPS AND A FEW OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ISUZU I280. I DID REPLACE THE GAS CAP, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY NEXT STEP WILL BE REMOVING THE TANK AND REPAIRING THE FAULTY PART (LEAKING GASOLINE). WITH ALL THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE, I WOULD THINK THAT THERE SHOULD'VE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. I DID CONTACT ISUZU, BUT THEY REPORT NO SUCH RECALL. I THEN CONTACTED CHEVY TO SEE IF THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE COLORADO (SAME TRUCK, DIFFERENT BADGE) BUT THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM. CHEVY INFORMED ME THAT THEY CAN ONLY TRACE RECALLS THROUGH A VIN NUMBER AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY I280 IS A GM PRODUCT, THEIR LIST OF RECALLS COULDN'T BE SEARCHED USING MY VIN NUMBER. THE GASOLINE ODOR IS QUITE STRONG, BUT WILL DISSIPATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT SITTING (NOT RUNNING) FOR

Mileage: 100,000

20170216EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I-280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 196,000

20150311ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND REMAINS ON PERMANENTLY. QUESTIONABLE IF AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. NO ACCIDENTS IN VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT THAT MIGHT IN SOME WAY LEAD TO DAMAGE TO AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELT CONNECTIONS, ETC. *TR

20150311SEAT BELTS

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND REMAINS ON PERMANENTLY. QUESTIONABLE IF AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. NO ACCIDENTS IN VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT THAT MIGHT IN SOME WAY LEAD TO DAMAGE TO AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELT CONNECTIONS, ETC. *TR

20150311AIR BAGS

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND REMAINS ON PERMANENTLY. QUESTIONABLE IF AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. NO ACCIDENTS IN VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT THAT MIGHT IN SOME WAY LEAD TO DAMAGE TO AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELT CONNECTIONS, ETC. *TR

20130308ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I-280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE SECURITY PASS LOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER WAITING TEN MINUTES, THE ENGINE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

20120629ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I280. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT LOCK DEVICE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT OVER 20 MINUTES FOR THE ENGINE TO OPERATE, WHICH CAUSED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO DIM. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 8/8/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED IN READ IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, WHERE THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT DEVICE COULD CUT OFF THE FUEL AND NOT ALLOW THE ENGINE TO START, AS SOMETHING WAS TRIPPING IT. AFTER A MONTH OF CONSTANT PROBLEMS, HE DISCOVERED HIS WIFE'S CAR KEY TO HER NEW VEHICLE THAT HE WAS CARRYING IN HIS POCKET WAS TRIPPING IT. HE STATED HE STOPPED CARRYING THE KEY AND NOTICED THE PROBLEM LESSENED.

Mileage: 49,600

20110810UNKNOWN OR OTHER

COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS / CRUISE CONTROL / KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. LEARNED OF RECALL ID # 52989 DATED 7/29/2009 - SO I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ( COURTESY GMC - 205.836.2000 ) THEIR SERVICE MANAGER SENT ME AWAY - SAID TRUCK HAD RECALL #06030 PERFORMED ON 11/27/2006. I HAD A TRUSTED MECHANIC I KNOW CHECK BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ( WHICH CHECKED OUT OK ) REPLACED IT ANYWAY WITH NEW ONE PURCHASED AT DEALER. BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED 5 MINUTES THEN BLEW FUSE AGAIN. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WIRING FROM PREVIOUS RECALL WAS A BAD JOB - NOT DONE BY A PRO.

Mileage: 47,600

20110810EXTERIOR LIGHTING

COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS / CRUISE CONTROL / KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. LEARNED OF RECALL ID # 52989 DATED 7/29/2009 - SO I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ( COURTESY GMC - 205.836.2000 ) THEIR SERVICE MANAGER SENT ME AWAY - SAID TRUCK HAD RECALL #06030 PERFORMED ON 11/27/2006. I HAD A TRUSTED MECHANIC I KNOW CHECK BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ( WHICH CHECKED OUT OK ) REPLACED IT ANYWAY WITH NEW ONE PURCHASED AT DEALER. BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED 5 MINUTES THEN BLEW FUSE AGAIN. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WIRING FROM PREVIOUS RECALL WAS A BAD JOB - NOT DONE BY A PRO.

Mileage: 47,600

20110810ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS / CRUISE CONTROL / KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. LEARNED OF RECALL ID # 52989 DATED 7/29/2009 - SO I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ( COURTESY GMC - 205.836.2000 ) THEIR SERVICE MANAGER SENT ME AWAY - SAID TRUCK HAD RECALL #06030 PERFORMED ON 11/27/2006. I HAD A TRUSTED MECHANIC I KNOW CHECK BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ( WHICH CHECKED OUT OK ) REPLACED IT ANYWAY WITH NEW ONE PURCHASED AT DEALER. BRAKE LIGHTS WORKED 5 MINUTES THEN BLEW FUSE AGAIN. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WIRING FROM PREVIOUS RECALL WAS A BAD JOB - NOT DONE BY A PRO.

Mileage: 47,600

20110711SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED FAULTY BRAKES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20110711EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED FAULTY BRAKES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V139000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20090429ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I-280. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTO ZONE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXHAUST CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20070828TIRES

(1) SIDE WALL / TREAD WEAR (2) & (3) TIRE ROTATION OF UNWORN TIRES, UNWORN TIRES ALSO BEGAN TO WEAR AFTER ROTATION. *JB

20061102SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS WORN ON THE INSIDE AND DETERMINED THE FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS WERE OFF. *AK

Mileage: 12,040

Compare 2006ISUZUI-280 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 ISUZU I-280 have?
The 2006 ISUZU I-280 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 ISUZU I-280?
Yes, the 2006 ISUZU I-280 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 ISUZU I-280?
The most-complained component for the 2006 ISUZU I-280 is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2006 ISUZU I-280 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.