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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

Other model years Selected 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

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

What owners actually said

64 reports
85,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Fuel System, Other

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 STOPPE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10411884

59,982 miles · Jul 2, 2011
Electrical System

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 COMI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10410307

85,000 miles · Jun 23, 2011
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control

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, …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10408713

97,500 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10406453

72,000 miles · May 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10398458

28,000 miles · May 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 LEA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10398414

95,000 miles · Jan 17, 2011
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10376963

96,375 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Air BagsSteeringCrash

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 A…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10370915

68,632 miles · Dec 10, 2010
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10369927

47,300 miles · Oct 12, 2010
Electrical System

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10360131

Official recalls

1

05V035000 · 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

1

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.