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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2006 Isuzu I-280Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2006 Isuzu I-280. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (4) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2009
Owner complaints
11
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 29, 2009NHTSA 09V310000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMP WIRING WILL MIMIC THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LAMPS WHEN EITHER CONDITION OCCURS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 27, 2006NHTSA 06V139000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2006 – Jan 2019
  1. Exterior lighting4
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Fuel/propulsion system1
  4. Air bags1
  5. Seat belts1
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Tires1
  9. Suspension1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each I-280 model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

4 reports
“COUPLE OF WKS. AGO I HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT HUB WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHICH AFFECTED DRIVE SHAFT, ABS, EMER. BRAKE. THAT WAS FIXED . NOW TONIGHT DRIVING FROM A FRIENDS I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE SOUNDS LIKE UNDERNEATH GEAR BOX OR BEHIND HEATER WHAT IS IT. ALSO INTERIOR LIGHTS TURN CONTROL & HAVE TO HIT AROUND LIGHT FOR IT TO TURN ON, AND AROUND FACING OF HEATER TO ILLUMINATE HEATER CONTROLS! WHAT'S GOING ON? THIS ONLY HAPPENED IN GEAR NOT IN NEUTRAL.HIGHWAY & CITY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 22, 2019Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11171296

Electrical system

4 reports
“DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS TURNED ON AND REMAINS ON PERMANENTLY. QUESTIONABLE IF AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY. NO ACCIDENTS IN VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER INCIDENT THAT MIGHT IN SOME WAY LEAD TO DAMAGE TO AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELT CONNECTIONS, ETC. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2015Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 10693741

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
“STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM TRUCK. LEAK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CHEVY COLORADO PICKUPS AND A FEW OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ISUZU I280. I DID REPLACE THE GAS CAP, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY NEXT STEP WILL BE REMOVING THE TANK AND REPAIRING THE FAULTY PART (LEAKING GASOLINE). WITH ALL THE ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE, I WOULD THINK THAT THERE SHOULD'VE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. I DID CONTACT ISUZU, BUT THEY REPORT NO SUCH RECALL. I THEN CONTACTED CHEVY TO SEE IF THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE COLORADO (SAME TRUCK, DIFFERENT BADGE) BUT THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM. CHEVY INFORMED ME THAT THEY CAN ONLY TRACE RECALLS THROUGH A VIN NUMBER AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT MY I280 IS A GM PRODUCT, THEIR LIST OF RECALLS COULDN'T BE SEARCHED USING MY VIN NUMBER. THE GASOLINE ODOR IS QUITE STRONG, BUT WILL DISSIPATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT SITTING (NOT RUNNING) FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THE ODOR CAN STILL BE DETECTED AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF NOT USING THE VEHICLE - IT'S JUST FAINT. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS QUITE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DUE TO EITHER FAULTY PARTS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2017Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11019125
All 2006 I-280 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Engines
2.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
i-280 Extended Cab 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
i-280 Extended Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$3,800523
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Isuzu I-280 as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 2351
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 I-280 questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Isuzu I-280 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Isuzu I-280 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (4), electrical system (4), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Isuzu I-280 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Isuzu I-280 at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026