The Isuzu i-280 spans 2006–2006 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2006 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2006. It delivers up to 21 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Isuzu i-280 a good car?
Short answer: yes, with the usual caveat about model years. Our score for the Isuzu i-280 is 4.0 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the electrical system — 4 of the 11 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 2006 score best in our data, and 2006 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Isuzu i-280 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2006 to 2006 across multiple generations.
How to read a Isuzu i-280 VIN — every digit explained
Every Isuzu i-280 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Isuzu and the country it was built in (real Isuzu codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this i-280.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJ81 · J8Z · JAA · JAB · JAC · JAE
- USA4S1 · 4S2 · 4S6
- CanadaJ87
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. You can decode any VIN for free and get the year-code table, the country codes and the exact spots where the number is stamped.
How many recalls does the Isuzu i-280 have?
The Isuzu i-280 has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2006–2006. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2006 Isuzu i-280 recalls 2
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Best and worst years for the Isuzu i-280
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 1 tracked years, the worst years are 2006 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2006.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 i-280 | Exterior Lighting | Avoid |
What are the most common Isuzu i-280 problems?
The most-reported Isuzu i-280 problems are Tires (1 reports), Air Bags (1 reports) and Hydraulic (1 reports) — out of 11 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Isuzu i-280 specifications & dimensions
The 2006 Isuzu i-280. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Isuzu i-280 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Isuzu i-280 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the i-280 holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Isuzu i-280 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Isuzu i-280 get?
The Isuzu i-280 returns up to 21 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,950/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2006 Isuzu i-280 (2.8L 4-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ (smog 5/10) — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 i-280 | 18 | 25 | $2,950 | 423 | 5/10 | 2.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the i-280 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient trucks, or calculate this i-280's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Isuzu i-280 have? Power & range
The Isuzu i-280 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.8L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Isuzu i-280 tow? Towing & payload
As a pickup, the Isuzu i-280 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your i-280's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Isuzu i-280 cost to own?
A Isuzu i-280 depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used i-280 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this i-280 loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the i-280 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Isuzu i-280 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the i-280 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a Isuzu i-280 last?
A well-maintained Isuzu i-280 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Isuzu i-280’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this i-280’s VIN free →All Isuzu i-280 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Isuzu i-280 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 i-280 | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the i-280?
By owner-complaint volume, 2006 drew the most reports. 2006 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the i-280 have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2006–2006. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Isuzu recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the i-280 get?
Up to 21 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a i-280 last?
A well-maintained i-280 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the i-280 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the i-280 is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Isuzu i-280 warranty?
New Isuzu models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Isuzu dealer.
Where is the Isuzu i-280 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your i-280's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Isuzu may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the i-280 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.