2003 Isuzu Ascender

35 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Nov 5, 2013Failure Oct 16, 2013102,000 milesVeedersburg, INService brakes

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10551022
2. Filed Sep 6, 2010Failure Sep 5, 201076,000 milesBEL AIR, MDElectrical system

   SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER. PROBLEM KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION CAN NOT REMOVE SEEMS TO BE NORMAL PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL . L HAVE BEEN READING THROUGH FORUM COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL AND IF NOT WHY NOT. CAR COULD BE CAR JACK OR STOLEN BY NOT ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10353980
3. Filed Nov 11, 2009Failure Nov 10, 200980,000 milesBaltimore, MDSteering

   POWER STEERING LINES FROM THE PUMP (HIGH PRESSURE AND RETURN LINES) ARE CORRODING AND NOW LEAKING. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10291898
4. Filed Sep 24, 2009Failure Jan 8, 2008Yarmouth, MEEngine and engine cooling

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER. HE STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE "SES" AND "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE RISK FOR A VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED TEN TIMES; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

   NHTSA complaint 10285169
5. Filed Sep 20, 2009Failure Apr 9, 2009Fort Bragg, NCStructure, Temporary/emergency spare tire1 injured

   WHILE TRYING TO RELEASE THE FULL-SIZED SPARE TIRE, THE CABLE HOLDING IT UP BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO UNEXPECTEDLY FALL. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10284661
6. Filed Sep 20, 2009Failure Jun 17, 2009Fort Bragg, NCElectrical system, Exterior lighting

   HEATER/AC FAN KEPT GOING OUT. WAS TOLD IT WAS RELAY SWITCH. AFTER SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS, WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULT IN THE IGNITION. IGNITION WAS REPLACED. FAN NOW WORKS. NOW HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. TECH'S CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10284659
7. Filed Sep 9, 2009Failure May 20, 200343,000 milesBEL AIR, MDElectrical 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. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10283411
8. Filed Nov 9, 2008Failure Nov 7, 200855,371 milesDundee, ILFuel system, Gasoline

   SMELL OF GASOLINE AND DRIPPING UNDERNEATH REAR BENEATH FUEL TANK (DRIVER'S SIDE), WHEN STARTING. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AT THE LINE :OUTPUT SIDE OF PUMP. REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE AND RING. PARTS AND PICS AVAILABLE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10248047
9. Filed Aug 17, 2008Failure Oct 1, 200750,000 milesDundee, ILLatches/locks/linkages

   REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT LATCH CLOSE. REMOVED AND REPLACED BOTH RUSTY LATCHES. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10238529
10. Filed Aug 17, 2008Failure Jun 1, 200850,000 milesDundee, ILFuel system, Gasoline

    GAS ODOR AND GASOLINE DRIPPING BENEATH FUEL TANK WHEN PARKED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10238528
11. Filed Apr 18, 2008Failure Sep 1, 200748,000 milesHouston, TXHeadlights

    AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BEAMS HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES TURN BACK ON. THE HIGH BEAMS WORK WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WE HAVE TO TURN THEM ON TO HAVE HEADLAMPS. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS DON'T SEEM TO BE AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM DURING THE DAY. PROBLEM HAPPENS ONLY AT NIGHT. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10224904
12. Filed Feb 4, 2008Failure Feb 1, 2008Algonquin, ILDifferential unit

    I WAS DRIVING ON 1-88W BOUND ON 2-1-2008, MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE SQUEAKING NOISE AND VERY HARD TO DRIVE. LUCKILY, 2 BLOCKS FROM RT 31 EXIT, THERE WAS A FIRESTONE AUTO CARE, THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT AXEL BROKE AND IT IS AFFECTING THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO ISUZU DEALER IN ELGIN THE NEXT DAY.THE MECHANIC FROM BIGGER ISUZU CALLED MONDAY, 2-5-07, CLAIMING THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF LACK OF GEAR OIL. COST--$4,800 TO BE REPAIRED. THE CAR MILEAGE WAS 77,000 MILES. I CALLED ISUZU TO COMPLAINED AND THEY SAID, THEY WON'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. I WENT TO NHTSA, THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER POWER TRAIN-DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL. NHTSA ITEM #10016589 AND SERVICE BULLETIN #0507002. DATE OF BULLETIN 08/01/2005. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10216879
13. Filed Nov 9, 2007Failure Nov 8, 200750,000 milesEatonton, GAHeadlights

    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. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10208477
14. Filed Aug 9, 2007Failure Aug 8, 200649,000 milesChesapeake, VATurn signal

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 05V198000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10198980
15. Filed Jul 13, 2007Failure Jul 5, 200630,000 milesBoca Raton, FLFuel system, Filler pipe and cap, Tank assembly

    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. JULY 2, 2007 WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM ISUZU STATING THAT THE SES LIGHT MAY COME ON AFTER FUELING AND THAT YOU MAY SMELL A FUEL ODOR. WE BROUGHT THE SUV TO AN ISUZU DEALER ON JULY 5. THE SERVICE STAFF FOUND 2 LEAKS IN THE TANK. IT IS NOW JULY 13, 2007 AND THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET A TANK FOR THE SUV. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ALLOW US TO DRIVE THE SUV OFF THE LOT BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL RISK OF IT CATCHING FIRE OR EXPLODING.

    NHTSA complaint 10196280
16. Filed Jun 28, 2007Failure Jun 27, 2007Pittsburgh, PAIgnition, Fuel system, Fuel gauge system, Hinge and attachments

    GAS GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY REPORT THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK. HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED BUT CONTINUES TO BE INACCURATE. REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW OPENS WHEN BUMP IS HIT. TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER COULD FIND NO PTOBLEM. KEY OFTEN DOES NOT REMOVE FROM COLUMN WHEN PLACED IN PARK. CAR MUST BE CYCLED THROUGH ON/OFF AND PLACEED IN REVERSE AND THEN INTO DRIVE AGAIN TO REMOVE KEY.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10194828
17. Filed Jun 28, 2007Failure Jun 27, 2007Pittsburgh, PAClutch assembly, Rear

    THE 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER IS THE SAME VEHICLE AS A CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AND GMC ENVOY. AT APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAN CLUTCH MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO ASSUME FULL PAYMENT TO REPLACE IT. NOW, THE TRUCK SOUNDED LIKE THE UNDERCARRIAGEWAS RATTLING. HAD IT TO A MECHANIC, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT I MUST HAVE BEEN THE SWAY BAR LINKS REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER DISCUSSION THE MECHANIC DETERMINE D THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THEM ON THE TRAILBLAZER , AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED ON THE ENVOY, BOTH WITH THE SAME PLATFORM. THIS SEEMED TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT GM AND ITS AFFILIATES SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10194827
18. Filed Nov 21, 2006Failure Nov 20, 2006Kearneysville, WVElectrical system

    MY 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER WILL NOT START OCCASIONALLY. THE KEYS EVEN LOCKED IN THE IGNITION ONE OF THE TIMES. I HAD IT JUMPED AND THE VEHICLE WAS OK FOR A MONTH OR SO. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS. THE BATTERY CHECKS OUT OK. THE DEALER IN WINCHESTER, VA DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. THERE ARE NO DEFAULT CODES SHOWING UP IN THE COMPUTER. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10173971
19. Filed Sep 13, 2006Failure Mar 1, 200674,950 milesDuncanville, TXAutomatic transmission

    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. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10168141
20. Filed Jun 23, 2006Failure Mar 21, 200634,800 milesGahanna, OHAir bagsCrash1 injured

    DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR AT 55 MPH, A VEHICLE HIT THE WALL AND TAIL SPINNED IN FRONT OF CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HIT THE VEHICLE WITH A FRONTAL IMPACT CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE. UPON IMPACT, THE NONE OF THE CONTACT'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT HOWEVER INJURIES WERE SUSTAIN TO THE SHOULDERS, BACK AND NECK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE.

    NHTSA complaint 10160618