2005 Isuzu Ascender

Routine

Owners filed 64 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Isuzu Ascender years to avoid. Which Isuzu Ascender years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

55 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Isuzu Ascender problems

23 of the 64 complaints (36%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System18
000
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system13
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel5
000
Air Bags · airbags5
101
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration4
000
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system4
000
Air Bags › Side/Window · airbags3
000
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System · fuel system2
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1
010
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Windshield05V035000
Filed Feb 3, 200517,815 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

Risk. IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2021144,750 milesTX

DRIVING AT NIGHT ON HIGHWAY AND MY EXTERIOR LIGHTS WILL GO COMPLETELY OFF AND ONLY MY HIGH BEAMS WILL COME ON BUT THAT'S IT. THEY'LL COME BACK ON USUALLY WHEN I GET TO WHERE I'M GOING AND PARK THE CAR BUT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN YOUR HEADLIGHTS GO OUT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BOTH THE HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAMS WENT OUT. BUT ON MOST OCCASIONS AND NOW EVERY OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE REGULAR LOWBEAM HEADLIGHTS JUST GO OUT RANDOMLY

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 21, 2018CA

LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING AIRBAG IN HIS 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER WENT OFF FOR NO REASON CAUSING PERSONAL INJURIES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED DUE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM REPORTING A CRASH. *JS *BF

Electrical System
Filed Feb 3, 2018150,000 milesWI

SMOKE IN THE CABIN, BURNING PLASTIC/ELECTRICAL SMELL, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FAILURE, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR PACK INTERFACE CONNECTOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE ON 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER FIVE (5) PASSENGER VEHICLE

Electrical System
Filed Oct 5, 2017TN

"ELECTRICAL ISSUE"- ONE NIGHT,I WAS DRIVING MY SUV ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY MOM AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT (ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) WENT OFF. WE WERE DRIVING ALONG WITH NO LIGHTS. THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED THE CLUSTER PANEL STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. ALL OF THE GAUGES EXCEPT FOR THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. ISUZU WENT OUT OF BUSINESS HERE IS MEMPHIS A FEW YEARS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2016MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE WIRES ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS MELTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS FRACTURED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED, ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND TWICE FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 5, 201670,000 milesCA

THE LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE ASCENDER 2006-2008 RECALL, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2005. THE HDM HAS GONE OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS ONLY TO GO OUT AND NOT COME BACK ON THIS LAST TIME 03/01/2016. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO 2006 MODEL. THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST ON THIS CAR SINCE IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL 14V755000 11/26/2014 AND SECOND NOTICE OF RECALL 08/18/2015. THE 2005 MODEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 2, 201654,000 milesTX

FUEL GAGE FLUXUATES READING EMPTY WHEN FULL AT START UP AND AT SPEED.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 19, 2015149,671 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING OUR CAR ( 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER), HAVING JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 5- 8 MPH WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE AND WITH NO REASON THE SIDE, AND REAR AIRBAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYOED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THEM TO HAVE DEPLOYED, NO ACCIDENT, IMPACT, BUMPS OR ANYTHING. ONE MINUTE EVERYTHING WAS FINE THE NEXT THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH AIRBAGS AND A HORRIBLE SMELL THANKFULLY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE WAY THEY EXPLODED IT WOULD HAVE SURELY CAUSED THEM PHYSICAL HARM. UPON THE AIRBAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYING THE SEATBELTS LOCKED UP COMPLETELY.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 18, 2015149,671 milesTX

VEHICLE'S REAR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH OUT ANY CAUSE. I WAS DRIVING APROX. 5-8 MPH TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE VEHICLES AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. UPON THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING THE SEATBELTS LOCKED UP COMPLETELY.

Power Train
Filed Aug 20, 201450,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HORN WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW GLASS FELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 10, 201470,000 milesIL

VEHICLE SUDDENLY 'SHUTTERED' AT 65MPH ON THE TOLLWAY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED COMPLETELY, INDICATING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. CONCURRENTLY, INDICATOR LIGHT FOR REAR DRIVE TRAIN ALSO SHOWING FAILURE. UNSURE IF THESE ISSUES WERE RELATED OR COINCIDENTAL. DIAGNOSTICS/TESTING BY MECHANIC RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PARTS, INCLUDING A/C DELCO TRANS SELECTOR SWITCH; A/C DELCO SPEED SENSOR; A/C DELCO IGNITION SWITCH, AND REPAIR OF 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGINE HARNESS, TOTALING EXPENSE OF $808.37. SINCE REPAIR, NO FURTHER INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE COMPONENTS. WHILE IT IS CLEAR THAT WOULD SEEM RELATED TO GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, THERE IS NO PUBLISHED INDICATION THAT GM SUV'S PRODUCED UNDER THE ISUZU NAME-PLATE HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AS THEY SHOULD BE. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and ControlsFire
Filed Aug 8, 2014104,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY AT 2 MPH HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES WHICH IMMEDIATELY FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 30, 201490,000 milesKS

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED EXCEPT FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND RPM GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 7, 201457,377 milesNM

MY CAR RUNS FINE BUT FOR SOME REASON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ERRATIC OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL, MY SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES, THE RPM, OIL AND GAS LEVEL GAUGES DO NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 11, 201443,015 milesFL

FUEL GAUGE WORKING ERRATICALLY. CURRENTLY THE GAUGE IS PAST THE FULL MARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GAS TANK SHOULD HALF FULL. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 1, 201480,000 milesFL

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT( THERMOSTAT), SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND NOW THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE HAVE STOPPED WORKING OR WORK SPORADICALLY AND INACCURATELY. THESE PROBLEMS ARE LISTED IN ORDER OF FAILURE AND THEY STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000MI AND THE LAST WAS AT 106,000 MILES. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE BY GM, I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. IT WILL DEFINITELY BE THE LAST GM PRODUCT IN MY HOUSEHOLD. I HAVE HAD MANY AND ALL BUT ONE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. A FOOTNOTE: A PART OF THE GEARSHIFT LINKAGE BROKE AT APPROX. 95,000MI. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 13, 201362,480 milesMN

ON 11/27/13 I WAS TRAVELING FROM MINNEAPOLIS MN TO OMAHA NE FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. I HAD JUST LEFT A REST STOP ON HWY 35 SOUTHBOUND. AT ONE POINT I HAPPENED TO ROUTINELY SCAN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THAT, ACCORDING TO THE GAUGE, MY ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WAS SHOWING 60+ PSI AND WAS CONTINUING TO RISE. I QUICKLY PULLED OFF ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN. THE GAUGE NOW READ OVER "80". I GOT OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL. NOTE: WHEN THE GAUGE WENT CRAZY, THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNING LIGHT OR INDICATORS. I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED NORMALLY AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED FINE. I PROCEEDED INTO MASON CITY IA AND FOUND A GM DEALER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICS PRESENT, BUT A HELPFUL SALES PERSON TOOK ALOOK AT THE GAUGE AND SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A FAULTY STEP MOTOR IN THE GAUGE OR A BAD SENDER UNIT. IN EITHER CASE, HE SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE TO OMAHA, BUT SUGGESTED STOPPING AT A GM DEALER IN OMAHA ON FRIDAY, AFTER THANKSGIVING. I DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER ON FRIDAY AND A MECHANIC CHECKED THE GAUGE AND SAID THAT IT WAS A FAULTY STEPPER MOTOR IN THE GAUGE. HE SAID GM HAS HAD ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ON THE MID-SIZE SUVS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM ABOUT 2003 THROUGH ABOUT 2007. HE SAID I SHOULD CHECK WITH A GM DEALER BACK IN MINNEAPOLIS TO SEE WHETHER GM IS COVERING MY BAD GAUGE. HE SAID THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT MY FIRST BAD GAUGE IN THE CLUSTER WAS OIL PRESSURE, RATHER THAN SPEEDOMETER OR G

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 3, 201395,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING AND FLUCTUATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 201390,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 12, 201395,000 milesFL

2005 ISUZU ASCENDER-FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING, OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 95,000 MILES. RECEIVED NOTICE FROM ISUZU STATING THEY WILL REPLACE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IF THE CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN 10 YEARS OF THE DATE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED OR 120,000 AT NO CHARGE, WHICH EVER OCCURS FIRST. MY ASCENDER HAS APPROX. 128,000 MILES, SEEING THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO FUEL GAUGE ISUZU SHOULD REPAIR IT REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 7, 2013122,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING AND FLUCTUATED SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 30, 2013120,225 milesWV

THE GAS GAUGE IN MY 2005 ASCENDER STOPPED WORKING. IT IS ALWAYS SHOWING THAT THE CAR IS EMPTY. I HAVE NOTICED ON THE WEB THAT SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 5, 201385,000 milesSC

FILL CAR UP AND IT SHOWS EMPTY....IT MIGHT FROM TIME TO TIME GO UP SOME BUT I HAVE TO WATCH MY MILEAGE TO SEE HOW MUCH I HAVE DRIVEN TO FILL UP AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 27, 201390,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE WERE ALL PROVIDING ERRATIC READINGS. AFTER REFUELING THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE AN ERRONEOUS READING OF ZERO. THE OIL GAUGE PRESSURE WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENSOR AND THE LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS BUT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 1, 201268,000 milesIL

THE ISUZU ASCENDER 2005 HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE. ALL ARE READING ERRATICALLY. FILL THE TANK THE GAUGE READS THAT IS NEEDS GAS. THE OIL GAUGE IS COMPLETELY AS HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUEL GAUGE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FOR ABOUT $750 THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS AN ERROR AND JUST RESETS IT AFTER CHECKING THE ON BOARD SYSTEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 13, 201265,000 milesFL

MY SPEEDOMETER IS RARELY ACCURATE ANYMORE. IT CAN BE FINE WHEN I START OUT BUT THEN JUMP TO AN OBNOXIOUS SPEED AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, IT SAYS I AM GOING 120 MILES AN HOUR AND 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN STOPPED. THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY AND THE OIL GAUGE IS STUCK ALL THE WAY OVER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 12, 2012120,000 milesTX

I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT. WHEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED AND IT WORKED FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE WHEN IT DROPS BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE AND THE GAS GAUGE WHEN IT RAINS OR IT'S HUMID. I KNOW IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS BUT I HAD NO PROBLEMS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WITH EITHER UP UNTIL NOW RAINY SEASON. IT HAS ONLY COME OFF ONCE, WHEN I REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT IT CAME BACK ON A DAY LATER. HOPE SOMEONE FIGURES SOMETHING OUT! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2012111,000 milesVA

MY DAUGHTER WAS PULLING OUT TO TURN LEFT ONTO A 4 LANE ROAD. AS SHE CROSSED THE MEDIAN SHE HIT A LARGE PUDDLE AND HYDROPLANED. WHEN THE CAR HIT A DRY PATCH ON THE ROAD, BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. SHE WAS THEN ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE IT 1-MILE HOME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE CAR AND CLAIMS IT IS A MECHANICAL ERROR. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER AND WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM ISUZU. *JB

Steering
Filed May 20, 201232,410 milesPR

HAVE PROBLEMS WITH FRONT STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM EVER SINCE THIS HAPPENED. HAD REPLACE RACK & PINION 4 TIMES SINCE THIS DATE AND RODS, SHOCKS, ARM TERMINALS...........NO MATTER HOW LOW USAGE IS DONE...FRONT DRIVE LINE IS A LEMON. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 30, 201245,000 milesFL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.. TEST INDICATES IT IS THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT. AC/HEATER FAN WILL NOT WORK ON HIGH SPEED.. *JS

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Apr 30, 201270,000 milesMO

FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH GM SUV'S LIKE ENVOY, TRAILBLAZER, BUICK AND POSSIBLY MORE. OUR DEALER INSISTS THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS PRETTY MUCH 99% GM EXCEPT FOR THE NAME. *JS

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 5, 2012114,000 milesOH

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY GAS GAUGE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS...AT FIRST I WOULD FILL UP THE TANK OR AT LEAST THINK IT WAS FULL AS THE GAUGE WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER TO FULL THEN AFTER I WOULD STOP PUMPING AND TURN ON THE CAR THE GAUGE WOULD GO DOWN TO 3/4 TANK AND FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 3/4 AND FULL OVER SEVERAL DAYS. THEN YESTERDAY I WENT AND FILLED UP AND DECIDED TO NOT USE THE GAUGE AS A MEASURING SYSTEM AND INSTEAD JUST LET THE PUMP GO UNTIL IT CLICKED OFF AS IT DOES WHEN TANK IS FULL SO I DID THIS AND THE GAUGE WENT UP TO FULL THEN BOUNCED BACK TO EMPTY AND NOW MY FUEL LOW LIGHT IS ON AND I CANNOT GET ANY RANGE READING ON MILEAGE FOR GAS OR ANYTHING. ALSO IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ABOUT THAT SAME 3 WEEKS AGO MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING BRIEFLY STARTING OFF AT 65 MPH AT REST THEN IT GRADUALLY MADE ITS WAY BACK DOWN TO ZERO AT REST AND HAS SINCE SEEMED TO BE OK. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 26, 201274,000 milesTX

WE HAD A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T ACTIVATE...THE IMPACT WAS VERY HARD THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECIDED TO TOTAL THE CAR BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS TO BIG...I AM PREGNANT AND I HAVE 2 MORE KIDS, AND I'M SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS EXPERIENCE THAT SOMETHING COULD HAPPENED TO ME OR MY KIDS IF WE WERE IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 23, 201272,000 milesGA

THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T WORKING, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE GAS HAND READ HALF FULL. I MADE THE TURN AT THE INTERSECTION AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. AT THIS POINT, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL OR ANYTHING. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY SO I WRESTLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN, OTHER GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ALSO, MY HEADLIGHTS WORK ON BRIGHT ONLY. I HAD THE LOW BEAMS CHANGED AND THEY STILL DON'T WORK. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WITH THE NUMBER OF REPORTS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 7, 201290,000 milesVA

AFTER CHECKING ON LINE, IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE OWNERS OF THE ISUZU ASCENDER WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THEIR FUEL SENDING UNITS. WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER TO ASK ABOUT IT, HE MENTIONED THAT THE PART IS FAULTY AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT A GUESS OF $500. THIS PART GOING BAD ON A CUSTOMER WHILE DRIVING MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE OWNER DOES NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT. AT THE SAME TIME, THIS TRIPS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH MAY RESULT IN MANY STOPPING AND CALLING FOR A TOW. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SHEER NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 2011120,256 milesPR

INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER PERFORMED ERRATICALLY THE SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY AND RESTARTING THE CAR CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIMES THEN RESET IT TO 0 MPH. SOME GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING (OIL, RPM). *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Nov 16, 2011120,235 milesPR

AIR CONDITION WORKS BUT IT CAN'T BE CHANGE TO FLOW DIRECTLY TO THE FRONT WITH THE CONTROL BUTTON, WILL COME OUT THRU THE SIDES , THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 30, 2011MI

MY GAS GAUGE HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. IN FACT NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR WHILE GAUGE WAS STILL READING HALF FULL. I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED THAT GM WAS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE GAS GAUGES OF MY YEAR OF CAR. MY CAR WAS MADE BY GM AT THAT POINT. IT IS ESSENTIALLY A CHEVY TRAILBLAZER WITH AN ISUZU STICKER ON IT. I AM UNCERTAIN IF THERE IS A RECALL, OR IF ONE HAS BEEN ISSUED. I WILL SAY THAT THREE GIRLS IN MY OFFICE ALL HAVE SIMILAR SUVS WITH YEAR 2005, AND ALL OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. I JUST RESCUED ONE OF THEM YESTERDAY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE RAIN. I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS SAME PERSON'S CAR ALMOST CAUSED HER TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT AS WELL, BECAUSE HER CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY DUE TO THE GAS GAUGE ISSUE. THIS CANNOT BE A COINCIDENCE, AND IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IF THERE IS ONE. IF WE ARE TO BAIL OUT THE AUTO DEALERS THE LEAST THAT THEY CAN DO IS PROVIDE US WITH SAFE VEHICLES TO DRIVE. ONES THAT WE PURCHASED AND CONTINUE TO PAY ON. MY CAR IS UNDER 100,000 MILES STILL, AND THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED AT ROUGHLY 60,000 MILES AND IS ONGOING. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 26, 2011CA

2005 ISUZU ASCENDER ~ OIL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 2MONTHS AGO (AUGUST 2011) AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "IT WAS PROBABLY THE FUSES". CHANGED THE FUSES OUT, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP! IN FACT THERE IS EVEN ANOTHER PROBLEM NOW! THE SYSTEM PANEL LIT UP... (SEPT.2011)...W/ LIGHTS AND BELLS THAT READ (CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM) WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD "THE BRAKES ARE ALL IN GREAT CONDITION AND WAS NOT THE PROBLEM!" WELL THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM IF ALL THE OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND NOT GETTING ANY HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER!!!! *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 31, 2011NJ

I FIRST DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE APPROXIMATELY OVER A YR AGO. THERE WAS A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR REPAIRS. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 MODEL THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THIS WAS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE AS THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED IN MY 2005 MODEL. SIMILAR PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH THE OIL GAUGE WHICH IS NOW AS ERRATIC IN FUNCTIONING. MY VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THEREFORE, I CONSIDER THIS OCCURRENCES TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S ERROR, WHICH SHOULD OBVIOUSLY BE LABELED AS A SAFETY DEFECT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE ROAD A FEW TIMES AS A RESULT OF THE ERRATIC FUNCTIONING OF MY GAS GAUGE. I SUSPECT THAT IT MAY LEAD TO OTHER ISSUES OR CONCERNS. AS A CUSTOMER, I RECOMMEND THAT THE ISUZU ASCENDER MANUFACTURERS DO THE RIGHT THING BY ADVISING CONSUMERS, AND TAKING APPROPRIATE STEPS TO CORRECT THESE SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jul 11, 201185,000 milesKS

MY 2005 ISUSZU ASCENDER HAD ; STILL HAS A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL LINE AND PUMP. I HAD ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 900 MILES AND MY WATER PUMP WENT OUT, SO WE STOPPED IN A GOODYEAR/ FIRESTONE SHOP IN RURAL MO. I HAD THE WATER PUMP REPAIRED. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE I STOPPED TO REFUEL THE CAR. AFTER THE PUMP SHUT OFF AND I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE, MY FUEL GAGE READ EMPTY AND WAS BEEPING ON "E" AS WE DROVE OUT OF GAS STATION. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES IT REGISTERED AS FULL. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL FILL UPS. WE DRIVE FAR DISTANCES HERE IN THE MIDWEST, I NEEDED TO KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY TANK AT ALL TIMES. I HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED, BUT NOW ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT I NEED TO HAVE A PRESSURE TEST AT AN ISUZU SERVICE CENTER THERE IS A LEAK OF SOME TYPE, RELATED TO MY FUEL LINE. EACH TIME I HAVE AN OIL CHANGE I HAVE TO HAVE THE CODES READ AND THE CAR RESET TO MAKE ENGINE LIGHT GO OFF. I HAVE MY MECHANIC CONFIRM THAT THE CODE IS DUE TO THE FUEL LINE PRESSUE AND THEN I HAVE HIM REMOVE TURN OFF LIGHT. IT WILL USUALLY STAY OFF FOR A FEW DAYS. THE REPAIR TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS SOME WHAT COMPLICATED. I WOULD SMELL STRONG GAS FUMES AFTER THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. ONE DAY AS I WAS PUMPING GAS, GAS STARTED SPAYING FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. I WENT BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND AT NO CHARGE THERE WAS SOME CONNECTION THAT HE HAD TO TIGHTEN. *TT

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 2, 201159,982 milesPA

THIS IS REGARDING MY 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I78 IN NJ SUDDEN NOTICED THAT SPEEDOMETER GAUGE JUMPED TO 120 MPH BUT THE SPEED ON MY PORTABLE NAVIGATION WAS SHOWING ONLY 68 MPH. AFTER THAT SPEEDOMETER GAUGE SHOWS 70, 80, 90 MPH OR SO WHEN VEHICLE IS ONLY AT 20, 30 OR 40 MPH. NOW IS PASSED 120 MPH AND NOT COMING BACK TO NORMAL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANY SPEEDOMETER THIS WAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER FACING THIS ISSUE. NOW I HAVE NO IDEA AT WHAT SPEED I AM GOING ON. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 23, 201185,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS OF UP TO 3,500. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE ERRONEOUS FUEL LEVEL READINGS. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 9, 201197,500 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES BECAME ERRATIC AND STOPPED READING COMPLETELY. WORKS AGAIN SPORADICALLY, BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT NEXT FAILURE INCIDENT. FAILURE INCIDENTS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY, BUT STILL UNPREDICTABLE.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 2, 201172,000 milesOH

I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER, I SAW AN ARTICLE IN MY LOCAL PAPER ABOUT GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT MENTION ISUZU. SINCE THEY WHERE MADE AT THE SAME PLANT AS OTHER GMS I WANTED TO REPORT IT TO YOU. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE, FALSE READINGS VERY FALSE READINGS!! *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 1, 201128,000 milesPA

IN DECEMBER OF 2010 MY GAS GAGE SHOWED EMPTY AFTER FILLING UP AT GAS STATION. (14 GALLONS OF GAS HAD BEEN PUMPED) THE GAGE JUMPED UP AND DOWN FOR TWO DAYS AND THEN SHOWED ALMOST FULL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH EVERY FILL UP EVERY WEEK SINCE THEN. I NEVER HAVE A CORRECT READING ON THE GAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ODDITIES LEADING UP TO GAGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I FILL MY TANK EVERY WEEK REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE VEHICLE. I SEE NOW I HAVE BEEN DOING THE BEST THING FOR MY SAFETY SINCE THE ENVOY IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jan 17, 201195,000 milesCA

SPEEDOMETER FAILED. DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH WHEN THE GAUGE JUMPED TO THE END OF THE METER AND DIVED BACK DOWN QUICKLY. GAUGE WILL INTERMITTENTLY WORK BUT ONLY FOR SHORT TIME FRAMES BUT THEN WILL BE OFF BY 20 TO 70 MPH AND JUMP AT ERRATIC MOMENTS. ISSUE HAPPENED AROUND 95K. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Dec 16, 201096,375 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. A VEHICLE TRAVELING WEST LOST CONTROL AND CAME ACROSS THE SLOPED GRASSY MEDIAN, OVERTURNED AN SLID ACROSS MY TRAFFIC LANE, CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THEIR ROOF. MY ODOMETER SAYS AT THE POINT OF IMPACT I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 48 MPH. ONCE I REALIZED I WAS ALIVE, I WAS IN AWE THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I SPOKE TO A MANAGER AT ISUZU IN CALIFORNIA. HE REQUESTED THE VIN NUMBER AND SOME OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION AND SAID IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADJUSTER SAW ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, THEN THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD CONTACT ISUZU. I ALSO CONTACTED MY INSURANCE PROVIDER, THEY SAID SINCE I WAS NOT KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT, THEY WOULD NOT PURSUE ANYTHING WITH ISUZU. I THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW BECAUSE I WAS PINNED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD MALFUNCTIONED, NOT SURE WHAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS, BUT IT DID NOT DO WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. I SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIGHT FOOT, BRUISED LUNGS/RIBS, NUMEROUS LACERATIONS, BRUISED LEFT KNEE AND LEFT ELBOW. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Dec 10, 201068,632 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,632 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,662.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 12, 201047,300 milesHI

THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL WORK FINE FOR 5-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND THEN DOES NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT SPEED AND EVENTUALLY STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED ISUZU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT A BROKEN SPEEDOMETER IS NOT "A SAFETY ISSUE." WHEN I QUESTIONED THAT STATEMENT THE REPRESENTATIVE DID ADMIT THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE KNOWN PROBLEM. A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 64, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20080100Routine
200710400Routine
200632620Routine
2005 — this page64110Routine
200464120Routine
200335500Routine

Compare every Ascender year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 3, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.