2006 Isuzu Ascender Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Isuzu Ascender, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system1329.5%
- Electrical920.5%
- Exterior lighting49.1%
- Visibility49.1%
- Engine36.8%
- Driver assistance24.5%
- Seat belts12.3%
- Steering12.3%
- Transmission12.3%
- Interior & seats12.3%
- Body & structure12.3%
- Heating & air conditioning12.3%
- Airbags12.3%
- Other / unspecified12.3%
- Powertrain (other)12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OR SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT KEEP TAKING OUT THOSE SENSORS BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE IS WORKING FINE. WHEN I START MY VEHICLE UP FROM SITTING OVER NIGHT, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY ON AND THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING STAYS ON WHILE IDLING. WHEN I START DIVING THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING GOING OFF UNTIL I STOP, THEN IT'S BACK ON. I CUT THE VEHICLE OFF IF I'M STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THEN BACK ON TO FINISH DRIVING. IF I DRIVE FOR ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING STAYS OFF UNTIL I START IT UP AGAIN THE NEXT TIME. IT MIGHT BE A DEFECT WITHIN THE SYSTEM AND HOPE SOMEONE WILL FIND THE CAUSE BECAUSE TO KEEP GETTING THE SAME REPAIRS OVER AND OVER AGAIN IS EXPENSIVE. ITS $150 JUST TO HAVE THE OXYGEN SENSOR CHANGED NOT INCLUDING THE PART AND THE PART IS $65, AND IF GOING TO CAR DEALERS IS DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THAT AMOUNT. PROBLEMS FROM 2014 TIL CURRENT
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 NEW 8-2006 AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER. WHILE IN DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE SQUEAKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD INTERMITTENTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING WOULD NEED A FLUSH EXCHANGE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTO SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V455000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAVE A 2006 ISUZU ASCENDER IN WHICH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LINES THAT LEAD FROM TRANSMISISON TO TRANSMISSION COOLER HAVE CORRODED. PARTS REPLACED AT ISUZU DEALERSHIP AT FULL COST TO CUSTOMER. LINES WERE LEAKING WHERE CORROSSION HAD EATEN THROUGH LINES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER CONTROLS ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, CONTROLLING MIRRORS, SEATS, LOCKS, WINDOWS, HAVE DEFECTED TWICE SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF POWER MODULE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER CONTROLS ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, CONTROLLING MIRRORS, SEATS, LOCKS, WINDOWS, HAVE DEFECTED TWICE SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF POWER MODULE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING APPROX: 45 MPH. TRACTION CONTROL KICKS ON CAUSING CAR TO VEER TO LEFT INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. TRACTION CONTROL WILL ENGAGE IN PARKING LOTS OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH OUT WHEEL SPIN. IT WILL ENGAGE BRAKES AND AT TIMES NOT RELEASE UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .