Isuzu Ascender Problems by Year
NHTSA has 205 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file for the Isuzu Ascender, across 7 model years (2002–2008). The 2005 model year has the most complaints (64). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Isuzu Ascender years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Ascender model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2005 Ascender: 64 complaints, 1 recall
- 2004 Ascender: 64 complaints, 1 recall
- 2003 Ascender: 35 complaints, 5 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Isuzu Ascender problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 82 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 38 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 19 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 4 | 4 |
| Power Train | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Isuzu Ascender model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Ascender | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2007 Ascender | 10 | 4 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Ascender | 32 | 6 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 Ascender | 64 | 1 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 Ascender | 64 | 1 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2003 Ascender | 35 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2002 Ascender | 0 | 0 | — | — |
More from Isuzu: all Isuzu models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Isuzu Ascender years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2005 (64), 2004 (64), 2003 (35). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Isuzu Ascender?
Electrical System, with 82 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Isuzu Ascender have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.