IllustrationCHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.. TEST INDICATES IT IS THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT. AC/HEATER FAN WILL NOT WORK ON HIGH SPEED.. *JS
2005 Isuzu Ascender
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Isuzu Ascender do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 32.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ascender years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
525–50K
1850–75K
1675–100K
11100–150K
1150K+
55 reports with mileage · 9 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
3 reportsAIR 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
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 M…
Read full complaint
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
Official recalls
105V035000 · Visibility:windshield
Feb 3, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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
1RQ17002 · 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.