VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
2005 Isuzu Ascender
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 64 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Isuzu Ascender, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 131 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2006 | 1 | 2 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 3 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 4 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 5 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 2009 | 1 | 7 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 8 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 9 |
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 10 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 11 |
| Jul 2010 | 2 | 13 |
| Aug 2010 | 1 | 14 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 15 |
| Dec 2010 | 2 | 17 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 18 |
| May 2011 | 2 | 20 |
| Jun 2011 | 2 | 22 |
| Jul 2011 | 2 | 24 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 25 |
| Sep 2011 | 2 | 27 |
| Nov 2011 | 2 | 29 |
| Feb 2012 | 3 | 32 |
| Apr 2012 | 3 | 35 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 36 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 37 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 38 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 39 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 40 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 41 |
| Apr 2013 | 2 | 43 |
| Aug 2013 | 2 | 45 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 46 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 47 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 48 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 49 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 50 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 51 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 52 |
| Aug 2014 | 3 | 55 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 57 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 58 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 59 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 60 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 61 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 62 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 63 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 64 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical2732.1%
- Fuel system2428.6%
- Airbags910.7%
- Exterior lighting56.0%
- Engine44.8%
- Driver assistance44.8%
- Visibility33.6%
- Powertrain (other)33.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Loss of 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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 ID
- 11407343
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2021
- Mileage
- 144,750 mi
LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING AIRBAG IN HIS 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER WENT OFF FOR NO REASON CAUSING PERSONAL INJURIES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED DUE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM REPORTING A CRASH. *JS *BF
- NHTSA ID
- 11131188
- Incident
- Nov 16, 2017
SMOKE IN THE CABIN, BURNING PLASTIC/ELECTRICAL SMELL, ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FAILURE, BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR PACK INTERFACE CONNECTOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE ON 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER FIVE (5) PASSENGER VEHICLE
- NHTSA ID
- 11066767
- Incident
- Jan 27, 2018
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
"ELECTRICAL ISSUE"- ONE NIGHT,I WAS DRIVING MY SUV ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY MOM AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT (ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR) WENT OFF. WE WERE DRIVING ALONG WITH NO LIGHTS. THE NEXT DAY WE NOTICED THE CLUSTER PANEL STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. ALL OF THE GAUGES EXCEPT FOR THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. ISUZU WENT OUT OF BUSINESS HERE IS MEMPHIS A FEW YEARS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11031904
- Incident
- Aug 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE WIRES ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS MELTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS FRACTURED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED, ALL OF WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND TWICE FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- NHTSA ID
- 10916050
- Incident
- Oct 14, 2013
THE LIGHTS GO OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE ASCENDER 2006-2008 RECALL, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2005. THE HDM HAS GONE OUT. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS ONLY TO GO OUT AND NOT COME BACK ON THIS LAST TIME 03/01/2016. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO 2006 MODEL. THEY SHOULD COVER THE COST ON THIS CAR SINCE IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL 14V755000 11/26/2014 AND SECOND NOTICE OF RECALL 08/18/2015. THE 2005 MODEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
- NHTSA ID
- 10840090
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2016
- Mileage
- 70,000 mi
FUEL GAGE FLUXUATES READING EMPTY WHEN FULL AT START UP AND AT SPEED.
- NHTSA ID
- 10823863
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2015
- Mileage
- 54,000 mi
I WAS DRIVING OUR CAR ( 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER), HAVING JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 5- 8 MPH WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE AND WITH NO REASON THE SIDE, AND REAR AIRBAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYOED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THEM TO HAVE DEPLOYED, NO ACCIDENT, IMPACT, BUMPS OR ANYTHING. ONE MINUTE EVERYTHING WAS FINE THE NEXT THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND AND THE CABIN FILLED WITH AIRBAGS AND A HORRIBLE SMELL THANKFULLY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE WAY THEY EXPLODED IT WOULD HAVE SURELY CAUSED THEM PHYSICAL HARM. UPON THE AIRBAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYING THE SEATBELTS LOCKED UP COMPLETELY.
- NHTSA ID
- 10749863
- Incident
- Aug 18, 2015
- Mileage
- 149,671 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio and component repairs not covered under warranty. Contact Alpine directly for pricing and payment methods applicable to radio and component repairs not covered under warranty.
EQUIPMENT
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback. This bulletin was revised to add a Parts Warranty Form
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts Warranty claim payments and/or claim chargeback.
EQUIPMENT
The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the chart below to find equivalent of similar products (when available) from Loctite and Permatex.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number will be issued solely for information tracking purposes and future contact reference.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:FILTER/SCREEN
This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.