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Isuzu AscenderModel year report

2003 Isuzu Ascender Problems

Complaints
35filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.2L 6-cyl RWD · 14 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Isuzu Ascender (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2003 Isuzu Ascender. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (7) and fuel system (6). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 130 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 23 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “When you go to put gear selector into park the ignition key gets stuck temporarily on my Isuzu Ascender 2003 . Sometimes I have to wait 1 min or sometimes 10 min. To get the key out .if you listen real close you can here a electronic click .this just started about 2 months ago. I am worried about leaving the vehicle with the key in the ignition. It could be stolen or even car jack.”

NHTSA complaint #10283411, filed 2009-09, 43,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “While driving at night the dim head lights go off for no reason,this happens every two days or so , so I have to drive with bright lights (which blinds on coming traffic) on for about six or seven miles before the low beams start working again. Dealership can't seem to duplicate problem, so nothing has been done yet.”

NHTSA complaint #10208477, filed 2007-11, 50,000 miles

Fuel system: “I purchased a new 2003 Isuzu Ascender in sept. 2003. When the vehicle had approximately 500 miles on the odometer the service engine soon (ses) light came on. We took the SUV to an Isuzu dealer where I was told that I had improperly put the gas cap on and that is why the ses light came on. Within a week the ses light came on again. My husband took the car back to the dealer where the vehicle was thoroughly checked and the Isuzu dealer found a leak in the fuel tank. The tank was replaced after a lengthy wait for the proper parts. We thought the problem was solved. …”

NHTSA complaint #10196280, filed 2007-07, 30,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I purchased a 2003 Isuzu Ascender in february 2004. In around march 2006, the transmission begin slipping. At the time there was approximately 74,000 miles on the vehicle, which meant is was still covered under warranty. I was not informed by the dealer at clay cooley motors that the warranty was not transferable. Therefore, I have been stuck with trying to fix the transmission. I contacted the Isuzu company and they could not offer any help and stated that they do not regulate the dealerships that carry and sell their brand vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10168141, filed 2006-09, 74,950 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

64% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,000 and 50,000 miles.

24%0–108%10–2532%25–5020%50–7512%75–1004%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2003200420058200620072008200920102013
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Isuzu Ascender version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Ascender 2WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141916$4,200
Ascender 2WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic141815$4,450
Ascender 4WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131915$4,450
Ascender 4WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Isuzu Ascender → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 130 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 130 bulletins →

Other model years of the Isuzu Ascender

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20071042,0004—16—Not enough data
20063278,0006—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20056480,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046480,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20033540,0005—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Isuzu Ascender model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Isuzu Ascender have?

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2003 Isuzu Ascender as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Isuzu Ascender is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 7.

Has the 2003 Isuzu Ascender been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Isuzu Ascender get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Isuzu Ascender (Ascender 2WD, 4.2L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Isuzu Ascender reported?

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 18,000 and 50,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.