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2004 Isuzu Ascender

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Isuzu Ascender do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

64 reports
33,000 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND HAD CHECKED OUT. CODE BROUGHT UP SAID GAS CAP PROBLEM. REPLACED GAS CAP AND WENT AWAY FOR A WEEK. HAD PROBLEM COME BACK AND ASKED MECHANIC AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. MECHANIC ALSO SAID IT COULD BE CONNECTION TO FUEL TANK FROM GAS FILL TUBE. HAD CHECKED OUT AND WAS OK. P…

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HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND HAD CHECKED OUT. CODE BROUGHT UP SAID GAS CAP PROBLEM. REPLACED GAS CAP AND WENT AWAY FOR A WEEK. HAD PROBLEM COME BACK AND ASKED MECHANIC AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. MECHANIC ALSO SAID IT COULD BE CONNECTION TO FUEL TANK FROM GAS FILL TUBE. HAD CHECKED OUT AND WAS OK. PUT ON NEW GAS CAP AGAIN AND WENT AWAY FOR ANOTHER WEEK AND CAME BACK. DONE WITH IT. TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY INTO A PROBLEM THAT WON'T GO AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515771

142,000 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER SHOWING DIFFERENT SPEED THAN ACTUAL. CAR WILL SHOW IT IS GOING 50 MPH AND WILL BE ACTUALLY GOING 60MPH. CAR WILL SHOW GOING 45MPH AND WILL BE GOING AROUND 56MPH. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE SAID WAS PROBABLY STEPPER MOTOR. ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IS $365.00. 2ND PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH DASH!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515769

145,000 miles · May 17, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THERE HAS BEEN UNGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE NEW. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND THE INTERNAL CHIME. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON OR THE CHIMES CAN NOT BE HEARD AND THEN IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN. THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE IHAD TO BE OR…

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THERE HAS BEEN UNGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE NEW. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND THE INTERNAL CHIME. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON OR THE CHIMES CAN NOT BE HEARD AND THEN IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN. THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE IHAD TO BE OREPALCED JUST BEFORE IT WENT TO 60000 MILES SO, IT HAS AN 2005 ENGINE. THIS ENGINE HAS A HARD REVV WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THERE ARE GAS FUMES COMING INTO THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE LEAK. I DON'T LIVE IN THE SALT BELT AREA. I LIVE IN NORTHERN FL AND THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN WHERE THERE ARE SALTED ROADS LIKE THE NORT EAST AND MIDATLANTIC. REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512477

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD A FUEL THANK INLET FRACTURE. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED BUT NO RECALL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW, IT WILL COST ME $2178.33 +TAX TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOU…

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I HAVE A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD A FUEL THANK INLET FRACTURE. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED BUT NO RECALL. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW, IT WILL COST ME $2178.33 +TAX TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD B DONE ABOUT THIS. I CONTACTED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND MY CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL MODELS. I THINK THAT THIS A MANUFACTURE' PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BEOFRE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS

NHTSA ODI #10501802

124,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

CONTINUOUS GAS SMELL IN AND AROUND AUTOMOBILE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN JAN 2013 ALTHOUGH THE SMELL HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR MANY YEARS. TOOK AUTO TO REPAIR SHOP AND DISCOVERED THAT THEIR WAS A SIZEABLE CRACK AT THE OPENING OF THE GAS TANK. AROUND 1,500 DOLLARS LATER A NEW GAS TANK, NEW FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY,…

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CONTINUOUS GAS SMELL IN AND AROUND AUTOMOBILE WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN JAN 2013 ALTHOUGH THE SMELL HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR MANY YEARS. TOOK AUTO TO REPAIR SHOP AND DISCOVERED THAT THEIR WAS A SIZEABLE CRACK AT THE OPENING OF THE GAS TANK. AROUND 1,500 DOLLARS LATER A NEW GAS TANK, NEW FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PART FROM GM, ESPECIALLY SINCE SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERING HOW MANY HAVE REPORTED THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THE SCARY THOUGHT THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE BLOWN UP AND ANY TIME. A CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDS TO BE FILED AGAINST GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493127

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS AND IN THAT TIME HERES THE ISSUES, RPM, OIL, TEMPATURE, SPEEDOMTER GAUGES HAVE QUIT. THE CAR VIRBRATES EXTEMEMLY HARD WHEN SITTING STILL. IF THE AC IS ON, ITS VIRBRATING HARDER, THE FRONT VENTS HAVE QUIT WORKING AND ONLY THE DEFROSTERS AND REAR VENTS WORK. THE CAR LIKES TO DIE AT RED LIGHTS.…

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I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS AND IN THAT TIME HERES THE ISSUES, RPM, OIL, TEMPATURE, SPEEDOMTER GAUGES HAVE QUIT. THE CAR VIRBRATES EXTEMEMLY HARD WHEN SITTING STILL. IF THE AC IS ON, ITS VIRBRATING HARDER, THE FRONT VENTS HAVE QUIT WORKING AND ONLY THE DEFROSTERS AND REAR VENTS WORK. THE CAR LIKES TO DIE AT RED LIGHTS. I SEE THE OIL AND TEMPATURE GAUGE AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE WILL BE NO WARNING IF THE CAR IS TOO HOT AND THE OIL PRESSURE IS TO HIGH.THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON NO MATTER WHAT WE FIX. IT SAYS THE CAR HAD A CYLINDER ONE MISSFIRE. CAN BE CAUSED BY A BAD SPARK PLUG, A BAD COIL OR VACUUM LEAK. REPLACED THE FIRST TWO AND HAD IT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC FOR THE SECOND. NOTHING. THE COLD TO HOT SETTING ON THE HEAT, ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE LIGHT WORKS, BUT IF I SLIDE THE KNOB UP AND DOWN FAST, THE LIGHT COMES ON. SIGN OF A SHORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485151

35,000 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Engine

I WAS GETTING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN ,AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT AGAIN .NO PROBLEM ON RESTARTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482798

138,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
VisibilityFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE COVER FOR THE DOOR AND POWER SWI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE COVER FOR THE DOOR AND POWER SWITCH AND DISCOVERED A BURNED POWER SWITCH. BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THERE HAD BEEN A DELAY WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE POWER SWITCH TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT WOULD BE REPLACED WITH A SIMILAR DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10471671

122,348 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING ONE NIGHT, MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, FIRST THE DIM, THEN THE BRIGHT. MY WIFE AND I BOTH SMELLED A SMELL LIKE RUBBER BURNING, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD TO DETECT THE ORIGIN OF THE SMELL, BUT TO NO AVAIL. NOT MUCH LATER THAT SAME NIGHT, MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT ALSO BURNED OUT. LUCKILY, WE WERE ONLY…

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WHILE DRIVING ONE NIGHT, MY LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, FIRST THE DIM, THEN THE BRIGHT. MY WIFE AND I BOTH SMELLED A SMELL LIKE RUBBER BURNING, SO I STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD TO DETECT THE ORIGIN OF THE SMELL, BUT TO NO AVAIL. NOT MUCH LATER THAT SAME NIGHT, MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT ALSO BURNED OUT. LUCKILY, WE WERE ONLY 1 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE AND LIMPED HOME. WHEN I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAD BURNED AND MELTED THE WIRES AT THE POINT WHERE THEY ATTACH TO THE BACK OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. HAS THIS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER ASCENDER OWNERS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460444

107,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #10440160

Official recalls

1

05V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

May 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline

Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.