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2003 Isuzu Ascender Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Isuzu Ascender, most often about the electrical (26% of complaints, typically around 31,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Ascender model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Isuzu Ascender problems
Electrical
9 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
My husband and I switched vehicles and he drove my vehicle to work. When he came out of work, the vehicle would not start. I called the dealership and had it towed the next day. The problem was diagnosed as a faulty ignition switch. They replaced it a few days ago. Now, it is slow to turn over or I have to turn the…
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…
Lights
7 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal.
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.
Tl 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.
Fuel system
6 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
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.
Ses light comes on after fueling--smell of gasoline evident around lh rear corner of vehicle. Visual inspection indicates fuel leakage at filler neck to tank connection. Odi case # 's 10104638, 10139878 & 10134665 are similar to this one. Vehicle has had this situation for at least a year and 30-40,000 miles.
Transmission
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: driveline, axle assembly, automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
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.…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body.
Brakes
3 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The brake pedal went to the floor at a rapid pace when slowing down. This resulted in the vehicle not slowing down immediately. The ABS warning light came on. The dealership replaced the ABS module. The consumer had an accident after being told by the dealer that the brakes worked normally. The brakes would go to the…
Dt: driver's seat belt became stuck, it was jammed on the inside. Will not come out at all. It has done this before but was able at that time to get it out. Also, when pushing down on the brakes consumer could hear a clanking noise.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Isuzu Ascender recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the windshield wiper system assembly. The recall began on july 15, 2004. Owners should contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not comply with the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
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 vehicle
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Summary
During the course of this ea investigation, odi observed that the majority of the complaints (88%) and warranty claims (94%) were reported for vehicles that are registered for use in the salt belt region of the US.this area includes 20 states in the northeast, mid atlantic and the midwest regions and the district of columbia.consumers in the salt belt region reported to odi that they could smell fuel vapors in their vehicles while driving.upon further examination of their vehicles, they discovered that fuel vapors were coming out of the top of the fuel tank. This condition is caused by corrosion of the return and sender lines of the fuel pump module.water and road salt collect on top of the
Windshield wiper failure
Summary
On september 17, 2003, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-042) to investigate alleged windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 2002 and 2003 chevrolet trailblazer and trailblazer ext, gmc envoy and envoy xl, and oldsmobile bravada vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to an engineering analysis on january 6, 2004, and the scope was expanded to include certain my 2003 isuzu ascender vehicles.all subject vehicles are built on general motors? Gmt360 and gmt370 platforms and were originally equipped with a windshield wiper assembly referred to as the family design module (p/n 15171306 base, p/n 15171307 for vehicles equipped with rainsens
Questions about the 2003 Isuzu Ascender
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Isuzu Ascender?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (9 complaints, typically around 31,500 miles); lights (7 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); fuel system (6 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Isuzu Ascender have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 27, 2005 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Isuzu Ascender?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Ascender model year since 2000, with 35 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.