VehicleVerdict

2003 Isuzu Ascender problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2003 Isuzu Ascender sits mid-pack among Ascender years: 47 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 47, with 5 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (11), fuel system (7), and lighting (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

47

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Ascender years?

Ascender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted88 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 47 complaints2004: 88 complaints2005: 84 complaints2006: 49 complaints2007: 13 complaints2008: 0 complaints
Ascender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ascender years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Isuzu Ascender problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1123%
Lighting715%
Fuel System715%
Transmission511%
Brakes36%
Body & Structure36%
Engine24%
Steering24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Latches & Locks12%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2003 Isuzu Ascender have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V494000Latches & LocksOctober 27, 2005 · 98,007 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCH THAT MAY NOT LATCH OR UNLATCH DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SPLASH, SUCH AS WATER AND ROAD SALT. THESE VEHICLES WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Consequence

IF THE DOOR IS NOT LATCHED PROPERLY AND IT GOES UNNOTICED, IT MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ALONG THE LOWER PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF CORROSIVE MATERIAL, AND INSPECT THE REAR SIDE CLOSURE LATCHES. FUNCTIONAL LATCHES WILL BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. NON-FUNCTIONING LATCHES WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V198000LightingMay 5, 2005 · 286,478 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

04V061000Visibility & WipersFebruary 4, 2004 · 439 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS THAT WILL NOT TURN ON, CEASE OPERATION WHILE IN USE, FAIL TO TURN OFF/ON BY THEMSELVES (MOISTURE SENSITIVE WIPER SYSTEM), OR HAVE CONTINUOUS WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP OPERATION BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF WATER WITHIN THE WIPER MODULES CAN EITHER CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT OR CAN LEAD TO THE CORROSION OF COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MODULE.

Consequence

DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

03V269000OtherJuly 21, 2003 · 3,290 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. IT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

03V213000TransmissionJune 5, 2003 · 11 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.

Consequence

THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 20, 2006

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 8, 2007

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 27, 2007

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2006

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 27, 2007

2003 Isuzu Ascender — common questions

Is the 2003 Isuzu Ascender reliable?

It is close to typical for the Ascender: 47 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Ascender problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints), lighting (7 complaints).

Does the 2003 Isuzu Ascender have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Isuzu Ascender. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Isuzu Ascender under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Isuzu Ascender years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Ascender years to avoid are 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among Ascender years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.