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Isuzu AscenderModel year report

2006 Isuzu Ascender Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
78,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender. The part named most often is fuel system, with 13 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system (9) and exterior lighting (4). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 28% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 112 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10322654, filed 2010-03, 47,000 miles

Electrical system: “The driver's door does not open and it does not lock or unlock. The driver's and passengers windows get stuck. There is ongoing electrical problems in my vehicle and it concerns me for the safety of my children.”

NHTSA complaint #10716948, filed 2015-05, 80,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10777962, filed 2015-09, 85,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10476654, filed 2012-09, 160,660 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

28% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,000 and 89,000 miles.

7%0–103%10–2517%25–5021%50–7531%75–10014%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 78,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

200920112013201562017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Ascender 5 · sedan RWD/4WDnot rated3 / 4——4 · 19.1% risk
Ascender 7 · sedan RWD/4WDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 19.8% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Isuzu Ascender version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Ascender 5-passenger 2WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic142016$4,200
Ascender 5-passenger 4WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic142016$4,200
Ascender 7-passenger 2WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141915$4,450
Ascender 7-passenger 2WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic141916$4,200
Ascender 7-passenger 4WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141916$4,200
Ascender 7-passenger 4WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 112 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 112 bulletins →

Other model years of the Isuzu Ascender

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20071042,0004—16—Not enough data
20063278,0006—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20056480,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046480,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20033540,0005—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Isuzu Ascender model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Isuzu Ascender have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2006 Isuzu Ascender as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Isuzu Ascender is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 13 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system with 9.

Has the 2006 Isuzu Ascender been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Isuzu Ascender get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Isuzu Ascender (Ascender 5-passenger 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Isuzu Ascender reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,000 miles and the middle half falls between 47,000 and 89,000 miles; 28% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.