2003 Isuzu ASCENDER: complaints, problems and recalls

WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS WERE NOT ON, THE CONSUMER WAS ONLY ABLE TO SEE TWO CAR LENGTHS AHEAD. *JB *TS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE HEADLAMPS WERE PRE-SET AND COULD NOT BE READJUSTED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011147 at NHTSA ↗

THE DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WAS VERY LARGE, AND CAUSED A HUGE BLIND SPOT. *JB *TS *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011148 at NHTSA ↗

THE 3RD ROLL BENCH SEAT COULD NOT BE REMOVED, THE HEADREST BLOCKED THE DRIVERS VISION. *JB THE 3RD ROW WAS ALSO RAISED HIGHER THAN THE FRONT AND SECOND ROW SEATS. ONE THIRD OF THE WINDOW WAS BLOCKED. *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011149 at NHTSA ↗

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. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. THE BRAKES WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS A HUMMING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,733 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050233 at NHTSA ↗

PASSENGER SIDE STAIONARY WINDOW FLEW OFF AT 65 MPH.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 65 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057000 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE PREMISES AND IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059342 at NHTSA ↗

THE HEADLIGHTS DIM 2 - 3 TIMES DAILY WHILE DRIVING. THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT IS ON WHEN THIS OCCURS. ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS HEADLIGHTS TOTALLY WENT OUT FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE COMING BACK ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO DO ANY MORE REPAIRS UNLESS THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103238 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS BLINK. *NM THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN PRESENT SINCE PURCHASE. THE BLINKING PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR IN THE MORNING AND AFTER SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE LIGHTS WOULD DIM DOWN WHEN THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS OFF OF THE PEDAL AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109608 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)

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.

Reported: 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)

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.

Reported: 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

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.

Reported: 2005-05-05 (May 5, 2005)

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.

Reported: 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)

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.