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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Electrical System complaints

27 reports
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90,000 miles · Mar 27, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE WERE ALL PROVIDING ERRATIC READINGS. AFTER REFUELING THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE AN ERRONEOUS READING OF ZERO. THE OIL GAUGE PRESSURE WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE WERE ALL PROVIDING ERRATIC READINGS. AFTER REFUELING THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD PROVIDE AN ERRONEOUS READING OF ZERO. THE OIL GAUGE PRESSURE WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENSOR AND THE LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED GENERAL MOTORS BUT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10504699

68,000 miles · Dec 1, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THE ISUZU ASCENDER 2005 HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE. ALL ARE READING ERRATICALLY. FILL THE TANK THE GAUGE READS THAT IS NEEDS GAS. THE OIL GAUGE IS COMPLETELY AS HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUEL GAUGE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FOR ABOUT $750 THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN.…

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THE ISUZU ASCENDER 2005 HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER AND OIL GAUGE. ALL ARE READING ERRATICALLY. FILL THE TANK THE GAUGE READS THAT IS NEEDS GAS. THE OIL GAUGE IS COMPLETELY AS HAVE CHANGED OUT THE FUEL GAUGE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FOR ABOUT $750 THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. THE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS AN ERROR AND JUST RESETS IT AFTER CHECKING THE ON BOARD SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486666

65,000 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Electrical System

MY SPEEDOMETER IS RARELY ACCURATE ANYMORE. IT CAN BE FINE WHEN I START OUT BUT THEN JUMP TO AN OBNOXIOUS SPEED AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, IT SAYS I AM GOING 120 MILES AN HOUR AND 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN STOPPED. THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY AND THE OIL GAUGE IS STUCK ALL THE WAY OVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484528

120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Electrical System

I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT. WHEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED AND IT WORKED FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE…

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I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE LOT. WHEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED AND IT WORKED FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER GOES HAYWIRE WHEN IT DROPS BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE AND THE GAS GAUGE WHEN IT RAINS OR IT'S HUMID. I KNOW IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS BUT I HAD NO PROBLEMS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WITH EITHER UP UNTIL NOW RAINY SEASON. IT HAS ONLY COME OFF ONCE, WHEN I REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT IT CAME BACK ON A DAY LATER. HOPE SOMEONE FIGURES SOMETHING OUT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465467

114,000 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY GAS GAUGE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS...AT FIRST I WOULD FILL UP THE TANK OR AT LEAST THINK IT WAS FULL AS THE GAUGE WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER TO FULL THEN AFTER I WOULD STOP PUMPING AND TURN ON THE CAR THE GAUGE WOULD GO DOWN TO 3/4 TANK AND FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 3/4 AND FULL OVER SEVERAL DA…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY GAS GAUGE FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS...AT FIRST I WOULD FILL UP THE TANK OR AT LEAST THINK IT WAS FULL AS THE GAUGE WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER TO FULL THEN AFTER I WOULD STOP PUMPING AND TURN ON THE CAR THE GAUGE WOULD GO DOWN TO 3/4 TANK AND FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 3/4 AND FULL OVER SEVERAL DAYS. THEN YESTERDAY I WENT AND FILLED UP AND DECIDED TO NOT USE THE GAUGE AS A MEASURING SYSTEM AND INSTEAD JUST LET THE PUMP GO UNTIL IT CLICKED OFF AS IT DOES WHEN TANK IS FULL SO I DID THIS AND THE GAUGE WENT UP TO FULL THEN BOUNCED BACK TO EMPTY AND NOW MY FUEL LOW LIGHT IS ON AND I CANNOT GET ANY RANGE READING ON MILEAGE FOR GAS OR ANYTHING. ALSO IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ABOUT THAT SAME 3 WEEKS AGO MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING BRIEFLY STARTING OFF AT 65 MPH AT REST THEN IT GRADUALLY MADE ITS WAY BACK DOWN TO ZERO AT REST AND HAS SINCE SEEMED TO BE OK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454236

72,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T WORKING, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE GAS HAND READ HALF FULL. I MADE THE TURN AT THE INTERSECTION AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. AT THIS POINT, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL OR ANYTHING. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY SO I WRESTLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO COAST TO THE SIDE O…

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THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T WORKING, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE GAS HAND READ HALF FULL. I MADE THE TURN AT THE INTERSECTION AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. AT THIS POINT, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL OR ANYTHING. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY SO I WRESTLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THEN, OTHER GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVE STOPPED WORKING. ALSO, MY HEADLIGHTS WORK ON BRIGHT ONLY. I HAD THE LOW BEAMS CHANGED AND THEY STILL DON'T WORK. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. WITH THE NUMBER OF REPORTS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449145

120,256 miles · Nov 16, 2011
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER PERFORMED ERRATICALLY THE SPEEDOMETER GOES CRAZY AND RESTARTING THE CAR CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIMES THEN RESET IT TO 0 MPH. SOME GAUGES ARE NOT WORKING (OIL, RPM). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436075

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 ISUZU ASCENDER ~ OIL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 2MONTHS AGO (AUGUST 2011) AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "IT WAS PROBABLY THE FUSES". CHANGED THE FUSES OUT, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP! IN FACT THERE IS EVEN ANOTHER PROBLEM NOW! THE SYSTEM PANEL LIT UP... (SEPT.2011)...W/ …

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2005 ISUZU ASCENDER ~ OIL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 2MONTHS AGO (AUGUST 2011) AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD "IT WAS PROBABLY THE FUSES". CHANGED THE FUSES OUT, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP! IN FACT THERE IS EVEN ANOTHER PROBLEM NOW! THE SYSTEM PANEL LIT UP... (SEPT.2011)...W/ LIGHTS AND BELLS THAT READ (CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM) WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE, SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD "THE BRAKES ARE ALL IN GREAT CONDITION AND WAS NOT THE PROBLEM!" WELL THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM IF ALL THE OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND NOT GETTING ANY HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURER!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427138

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10422760

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

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.