AI Damage2006 Isuzu Ascender: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Isuzu Ascender filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 32
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 6% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (28% of all).
- Fuel system: 7 complaints (22% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (19% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Visibility: 4 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 32 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,635 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Ascender has 41 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 32, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Isuzu Ascender?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 32. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (25%), warning lights, check engine (16%), headlights and tail lights (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Isuzu Ascender from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.