VehicleVerdict

2006 Isuzu Ascender problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 Isuzu Ascender sits mid-pack among Ascender years: 49 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 47, with 6 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (29% of the total).

49

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Ascender years?

Ascender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted88 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 47 complaints2004: 88 complaints2005: 84 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 13 complaints2008: 0 complaints
Ascender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ascender years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Isuzu Ascender problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1429%
Electrical System1224%
Visibility & Wipers510%
Lighting48%
Engine36%
Other24%
Seats24%
Transmission24%
Latches & Locks12%
Steering12%
Body & Structure12%
Airbags12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2006 Isuzu Ascender have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V519000LightingAugust 14, 2015 · 429,170 units

Defect

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 headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Consequence

Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

14V404000Visibility & WipersJuly 2, 2014 · 184,611 units

Defect

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 corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

Consequence

A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-955-9007 (SAAB), and 1-800-255-6727 (Isuzu). GM's number for this recall is 14309. NOTE: This recall provides a new remedy for all vehicles covered by recall 13V-248. Vehicles whose modules were modified but not replaced as part of the previous recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign.

13V248000Visibility & WipersJune 13, 2013 · 193,652 units

Defect

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 short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

Consequence

A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Remedy

Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners, Isuzu and Saab will contact their respective owners. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463, Isuzu owners at 1-800-255-6727, and Saab owners at 1-800-955-9007. GM's campaign number is 12180. This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-406.

12V406000Visibility & WipersAugust 16, 2012 · 278,174 units

Defect

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, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

Consequence

A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Remedy

Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. Isuzu owners will be notified by Isuzu Motors when parts are available. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727. SAAB owners will be notified by SAAB Cars North America when parts are available and for inquiries, owners may call SAAB customer service at 1-800-955-9007.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V455000SteeringOctober 5, 2005 · 123,592 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MAY 2009 ISUZI ASCENDER I TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUSE PANEL LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEAT FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. PRIOR TO THAT I HAD A BEARING IN THE ENGINE GO OUT 2008. NOW AS OF FEB 2010 MY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAS NOW GONE OUT. THIS IS SEVERAL ISSUES WITH A VEHICLE I PURCHASED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED UP AND REPLACED. THE WIRES BEGAN MELTING IN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND RESISTOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST BETWEEN $700-800. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 14, 2007 · fire

IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND I GOT IN MY SUV TO DRIVE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY TO PICK UP MY GRANDDAUGHTER AS SHE GOT OFF THE BUS. AS I STARTED THE SUV AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY SPACE I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER WINDOW STARTED TO ROLL DOWN, THE WINDOW GOT ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN I PRESSED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 18, 2012 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 23, 2016

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 22, 2014 · crash

2006 Isuzu Ascender — common questions

Is the 2006 Isuzu Ascender reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ascender: 49 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 Ascender problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (14 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), visibility & wipers (5 complaints).

Does the 2006 Isuzu Ascender have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Isuzu Ascender. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Isuzu Ascender under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Isuzu Ascender years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ascender years to avoid are 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among Ascender years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.