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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 Isuzu I-290Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints for the 2008 Isuzu I-290. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and service brakes (1). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2009
Owner complaints
4
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Jun 2015
  1. Electrical system2
  2. Service brakes1
  3. Steering1
  4. Engine1
  5. Power train1
  6. Equipment1

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-290 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200711
20084
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

2 reports
“EVERYTHING DIED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THEN STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE. PROBLEM DISCOVERED TO BE A FAULTY GM IGNITION SWITCH. NOTE THAT THE ISUZU I290 IS BASICALLY AN IDENTICAL VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET COLORADO. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2014Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 10607382

Service brakes

1 report
“2008 ISUZU I290 ABS BRAKES KICK IN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, SOMETIMES 5-10 MPH SOMETIMES FASTER AND ABS FAULT LIGHT COMES ON IN MESSAGE PANEL OF DASH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY MULTIPLE REPAIR LOCATIONS WITHOUT RESOLVE. FOUND OUT TODAY 6-12-2015 ON INTERNET FORUMS THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH 2005-2008 YR LITE TRUCKS AND IN MY OPINION IT IS A GM MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH COLORADO, AND I290 PICKUP TRUCK HUBS AND ABS SENSORS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2015Service brakesODI 10724948

Steering

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Engines
2.9L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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 28, 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-290 Extended Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
i-290 Extended Cab 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2008 Isuzu I-290 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2439
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

2008 I-290 questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Isuzu I-290 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 2008 Isuzu I-290 problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), service brakes (1), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Isuzu I-290 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Isuzu I-290 at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026