Most common 2006 Isuzu Ascender problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Ascender complaints by model year
Best Ascender years: 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 2005, 2004. Compare all years →
2006 Isuzu Ascender recalls (6)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
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.
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.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
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,…
Remedy: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2006 Isuzu Ascender:
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV.
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
What 2006 Isuzu Ascender owners say
Fuel & 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.
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.
Electrical system
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 switch to raise the window and it started going up and then stopped at about 3/4 of the way up, at this point I had stopped the SUV and I let off of the switch and the window went all the way down and I noticed smoke coming up from the window seals. I proceeded down the driveway to the end and the smoke was getting thicker and blacker. I shut the SUV off and it stopped smoking and the residual smoke continued to pour up through the window seals. I turned the ignition back on and the smoke was instant and just as heavy as before. …
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.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
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 switch to raise the window and it started going up and then stopped at about 3/4 of the way up, at this point I had stopped the SUV and I let off of the switch and the window went all the way down and I noticed smoke coming up from the window seals. I proceeded down the driveway to the end and the smoke was getting thicker and blacker. I shut the SUV off and it stopped smoking and the residual smoke continued to pour up through the window seals. I turned the ignition back on and the smoke was instant and just as heavy as before. …
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.
2006 Isuzu Ascender engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Isuzu Ascender a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Ascender rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Ascender at the same age. It is one of the best Ascender years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Isuzu Ascender?
The fuel & propulsion system — 13 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › fuel gauge system. Next are the electrical system (9) and windows, wipers & sunroof (4).
How many recalls does the 2006 Isuzu Ascender have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender, the most recent from August 14, 2015 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Isuzu Ascender?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005 and 2004. See the full Isuzu Ascender years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Isuzu Ascender problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.