Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2007 Isuzu Ascender with NHTSA between 2009 and 2026.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 12
Against the median year of the Isuzu Ascender. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2007 Isuzu Ascender
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
646.2%
Median failure at 42,000 miles
Electrical System
323.1%
Median failure at 94,000 miles
Doors, Latches & Locks
17.7%
Median failure at 123,125 miles
Stability & Traction Control
17.7%
Median failure at 39,100 miles
Tires
17.7%
Median failure at 27,000 miles
Lights
17.7%
Median failure at 160,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
18.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
650.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
18.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
216.7%
150,000+ miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2009peak 3Feb 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2007 Isuzu Ascender
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ17002Opened 24 Apr 2017Closed 29 Mar 2021EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Loss of Headlights
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 Gene...
EA12004Opened 11 Jun 2012Closed 21 Jun 2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driver's Master Power Window Switch
On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of 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. The recall remedy requires the inspection and repair or replacement...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 94,000 milesKailua Kona, HI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2007 Isuzu Ascender. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the driver’s side window unexpectedly rolled down. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon entering the vehicle, the contact noticed an abnormally strong smoky odor inside the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the driver’s door master window switch module had melted and was inoperable. The contact ordered a replacement part for the failure. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired because the door master window switch module was an older module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #11720732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesBlountsville, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE LOW BEAMS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER FIVE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; HOWEVER, THE LOW BEAM LIGHT FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10732465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,125 milesIrvington, AL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER BUMPS AND RAILROAD TRACKS, A CHIME SOUNDED AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE LATCH FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR ELECTRONICALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V404000 (VISIBILITY) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,125.
NHTSA complaint #10664811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,125 milesIrvington, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER BUMPS AND RAILROAD TRACKS, A CHIME SOUNDED AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE LATCH FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR ELECTRONICALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V404000 (VISIBILITY) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,125.
NHTSA complaint #10664811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,100 milesPhoenix, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ALL THE LIGHTS ON BOARD ARE ON...STAYS ON FOR HOURS THAN GOES PARTIAL OFF ... ENGINE LIGHTS ON ZERO GAS ON ALL THE TIME... IS RISK TO DRIVE WITH ALL BOARD LIGHTS ON SO WHAT SHOULD I DO? IN PHOENIX, AZ. WHERE WE LIVE THERE IS NO ISUZU DEALER...
NHTSA complaint #10568196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,100 milesPhoenix, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL THE LIGHTS ON BOARD ARE ON...STAYS ON FOR HOURS THAN GOES PARTIAL OFF ... ENGINE LIGHTS ON ZERO GAS ON ALL THE TIME... IS RISK TO DRIVE WITH ALL BOARD LIGHTS ON SO WHAT SHOULD I DO? IN PHOENIX, AZ. WHERE WE LIVE THERE IS NO ISUZU DEALER...
NHTSA complaint #10568196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,100 milesPhoenix, AZ
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ALL THE LIGHTS ON BOARD ARE ON...STAYS ON FOR HOURS THAN GOES PARTIAL OFF ... ENGINE LIGHTS ON ZERO GAS ON ALL THE TIME... IS RISK TO DRIVE WITH ALL BOARD LIGHTS ON SO WHAT SHOULD I DO? IN PHOENIX, AZ. WHERE WE LIVE THERE IS NO ISUZU DEALER...
NHTSA complaint #10568196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSwiftwater, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I PURCHASED A 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER WITH 9,900 MILES ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009. IN NOVEMBER OF 2010, THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO READ INACCURATELY. IF I FILLED THE TANK, THE GAS GAUGE WOULD SHOW FILLED. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70-80 MILES, THE GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD SLOWLY DROP TO 'E' AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WOULD COME ON. I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS INVOLVING GMC VEHICLES. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS THAT WERE ISSUED, HOWEVER, I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. FOR NOW, I CONTINUE TO FILL THE TANK, RESET THE TRIPOMETER AND REFILL ONCE I'VE DRIVEN 90-100 MILES, AS I AM NOT PREPARED TO SPEND $800 TO REPLACE THE FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT...THE MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE IS 24K. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10438093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ohio, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL GAUGE IN 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER STARTED SHOWING INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL AS I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-71 SOUTH OF COLUMBUS,OH. IT STARTED SHOWING EMPTY BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEST HALF A TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10415589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesAthens, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER I HAVE RIGHT AT 42,000 MILES ON IT I FILLED THE TANK YESTERDAY AND HAD 3/4 A TANK REMAINING LAST NIGHT THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK I HAD DRIVEN A LESS THAN A MILE FROM MY HOME AND THE GAS GAUGE STARTED GOING DOWN AND WITHIN A MILE FROM HOME MY GAS LIGHT WAS ON AND MY TANK SHOWED EMPTY . I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME AND SWITCHED TO MY OTHER VEHICLE WHEN I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK THE GAS GAUGE JUMPED BACK UP TO 3/4 FULL . I CALLED THE ISUZU DEALER IN KNOXVILLE TN AND AS SOON AS I STATED WHAT WAS GOING ON HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE SO I FIGURED THAT THEY HAD MORE PROBLEMS WITH THIS THAN JUST MINE SO I LOOKED ONLINE WHEN I GOT OF WORK AND I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES STARTING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 2005'S . WHY ON EARTH HAVE THESE PROBLEMS NOT BE RECALLED FOR THIS YET THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE ON THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10407286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesAthens, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 07/20/11
NHTSA complaint #10407296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,198 milesEHC, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I BROUGHT MY ASDENDER TRUCK FROM MATT BLATT IN VINLAND IN 2007 WITH 211 MILES AND I ALWAYS HAD PROBLEM AT THE GAS STATION BUT I DID NOT PLAY IT ANY MIND. THEN ONE DAY I TOOK THE TRUCK FOR SERVICE AND I SAID PLEASE CHECK OUT THE GAS TANK BECAUSE IT ALWAYS CUTTING OFF AT THE PUMP,SO THEY CHECK IT AND TOLD ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE GAS LINE FILTER AND THE BALL THAT TELL U HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE. THIS TRUCK JUST TURN THREE YR OLD IN APRIL I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM THING ALREADY. I THINK THIS PROBLEM WAS ALREADY THERE WHEN I BROUGHT THIS TRUCK. NOW I HAVE NO MORE WARNING ON THE TRUCK/ THIS TRUCK SHOULD BE RECALL FOR THE GAS TANK . TO ME THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE I AM SCARE SOME TIME . I JUST DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT.
NHTSA complaint #10344108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesLlano, TX
TIRES
AFTER NORMAL, MOSTLY RURAL, PERSONAL, NON-COMMERCIAL USE IN CENTRAL TEXAS, THE LF TIRE FAILED AFTER 16 MONTHS AND 27000 MILES OF SERVICE. THE TREAD/BELT SHOWED AN OBVIOUS LARGE BULGE AND SEPARATION FROM THE CARCASS OVER APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE OUTSIDE TREAD PORTION OF THE TIRE. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH AUDIBLE EXTERNAL NOISE (AT SLOW SPEEDS) ALONG WITH A FELT BUMP IN THE TIRE AND A SHIMMY ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SYMPTOMS WERE REDUCED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS WAS NOTICED AROUND THE LAST WEEK OF OCTOBER, 2009. IT WAS REPORTED TO CONTINENTAL VIA A LOCAL CONTINENTAL TIRE DEALER AND THE ADJUSTMENT WAS 25% OFF OF A NEW REPLACEMENT TIRE. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CONTINENTAL APPARENTLY DETERMINED THAT 16 MONTHS AND 27000 MILES WAS 3/4 OF THE TIRES LIFE. THREE WEEKS AND 400 MILES LATER, THE LR TIRE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND MY EXAMINATION REVEALED AN IDENTICAL BULGE OVER APPROXIMATELY 10% OF THE TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE. AT THE TIME MY FAMILY & I WERE DRIVING TO THE AUSTIN, TX AIRPORT FOR A THANKSGIVING VACATION OUT OF STATE. WHEN I RETURNED EIGHT DAYS LATER, I AGAIN WENT TO THE LOCAL CONTINENTAL DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED MY INSPECTION (THIS TIME WITH STEEL CORDS SHOWING AT THE FAILED SPOT), AND TOLD THEM THAT I NO LONGER TRUSTED THE REMAINING TWO ORIGINAL TIRES AND WOULD LIKE FOR CONTINENTAL TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF APPROPRIATE TIRES. THAT REQUEST AS WELL AS THE WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF THE SECOND DEFECTIVE TIRE IS INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME. CONTINENTAL TIRE CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY ADJUSTMENT UNTIL THE TIRE FAILS. IF IT FAILS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE DIRE FOR MY FAMILY OR OTHERS. AS CAN BE IMAGINED, I AM NOT SO HAPPY ABOUT THE SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10294804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.