IllustrationWHILE 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.
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
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
40–25K
525–50K
1850–75K
1675–100K
11100–150K
1150K+
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 reportsSPEEDOMETER 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
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.
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
MY 2005 ISUZU ASCENDER (GM TRAILBLAZER) HAS CRAZY SPEEDOMETER IN IT DOES NOT WORK FIRST THING IN THE MORNING UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN A COUPLE OF MILES. IT HAS ALSO JUST GOT STUCK ON 72 MPH AND JUST STAYED THERE EVEN AFTER TURNING IT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT AND OF COURSE JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES TO PROGRESS WHERE THEY WHERE VERIFIABLE WITH SOLID SYMPTOMS AS IN TRANSMISSION FAULTS AND POOR PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH LOSS OF COMMUNICATION TO STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, AC AND BLOWER FAILURE, RADIO ETC. THE FULL EXTENT OF WHAT IS AFFECTED AND HOW IT WILL PROGRESS AS IT HAD TO THIS PO…
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IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES TO PROGRESS WHERE THEY WHERE VERIFIABLE WITH SOLID SYMPTOMS AS IN TRANSMISSION FAULTS AND POOR PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH LOSS OF COMMUNICATION TO STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, AC AND BLOWER FAILURE, RADIO ETC. THE FULL EXTENT OF WHAT IS AFFECTED AND HOW IT WILL PROGRESS AS IT HAD TO THIS POINT IS UNKNOWN TO ME OR SERVICE PEOPLE. THE WIRING HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND THE IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES TO TRY AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, AND THE EFFECTS OF MODIFICATION DID NOT WORK AND WHAT THAT WILL BRING ABOUT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. I HAVE NOTIFIED MANUFACTURE, BUT AFTER I LEARNED OF THIS SITE AND LOOKED AT CHEVY TRAIL BLAZER AND ISUZU ASCENDER ELECTRICAL ISSUES ( SAME CAR ), IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND THERE IS NOT A KNOWN FIX FOR THIS HARDWARE OR POSSIBLY SOFTWARE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS STRANDED MY DAUGHTERS, AND GUEST 3 STATES AWAY FORM HOME AFTER WIRING MODIFICATION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THANKFULLY WE GOT STRANDED IN A TOWN AND NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF DESERT ON THE WAY TO COLORADO. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. YOU LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK WELL. FIRST FAILURE WAS 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. THREE DEALERSHIPS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIX TO NO AVAIL. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION. *NM
Official recalls
105V035000 · 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
1RQ17002 · 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.