Isuzu Ascender Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 205 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Isuzu Ascender (2003–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 64. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (82 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Ascender years →
All Ascender model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 10 | 42,000 | 4 | 92 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 32 | 78,000 | 6 | 112 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 64 | 80,000 | 1 | 126 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 64 | 80,000 | 1 | 143 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 35 | 40,000 | 5 | 130 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system82 37%
- Fuel system66 30%
- Exterior lighting23 10%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)12 5.4%
- Air bags12 5.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain11 5.0%
- Engine cooling9 4.1%
- Brakes7 3.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2004: “While driving my cars brakelight came on and the car started to accelerate faster and faster. Pullled over as soon as I could and stopped the car and turned the engine off. The check gauges warning light comes on even when the car is sitting idle or when I pull up and stop at a red light it comes on.”
NHTSA complaint #10862149, filed 2016-04, 144,455 miles2005: “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”
NHTSA complaint #11407343, filed 2021-04, 144,750 miles2006: “May 2009 isuzi Ascender I took to the dealer they replaced the entire fuse panel located under the back seat for electrical issues. Prior to that I had a bearing in the engine go out 2008. Now as of feb 2010 my fuel level sensor has now gone out. This is several issues with a vehicle I purchased new 8-2006 and have had multiple problems with it.”
NHTSA complaint #10322654, filed 2010-03, 47,000 milesOther Isuzu models
2,476 complaintsIsuzu Trooper
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106 complaintsIsuzu Vehicross
68 complaintsIsuzu Pickup Truck
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology