Driving at night on highway and my exterior lights will go completely off and only my high beams will come on but that's it. They'll come back on usually when I get to where I'm going and park the car but driving on the highway at night and all of the sudden your headlights go out is extremely dangerous. On three different occasions both the high beam and low beams went out. But on most occasions and now every occasion while driving at night the regular lowbeam headlights just go out randomly
The worst 2005 Isuzu Ascender problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical27
- Fuel system24
- Airbags9
- Lights5
- Acceleration4
- Engine4
- Transmission3
- Visibility3
- Steering2
- Brakes1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Isuzu Ascender
Recalls 1
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, 'windshield mounting.' the windshield urethane bead may not have adhered to the body in certain areas during the cure process.
- Risk
- If a crash occurs, the windshield may not be retained, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the windshield free of charge. The recall began on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V035000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2005 Isuzu Ascender
Defect investigations
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 General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.
RQ17002
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Isuzu Ascender 131
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The...
- Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to...
- The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various...
- The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic...
- This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure...
- Electrical system
- Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- Engine and engine cooling
- Engine and engine cooling
- Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
2005 Isuzu Ascender fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13-14 | 18-20 | 15-16 |
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 19 | 15 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 |
What 2005 Isuzu Ascender owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Letter from constituent regarding airbag in his 2005 isuzu ascender went off for no reason causing personal injuries. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer and the dealer were aware of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was inspected, but the claim was denied due to the computer system reporting a crash. *js
Smoke in the cabin, burning plastic/electrical smell, electrical connector failure, blower motor resistor pack interface connector electrical failure on 2005 isuzu ascender five (5) passenger vehicle
"electrical issue"- one night,I was driving my SUV on the highway with my mom and all of a sudden all of the lights inside and out (all interior and exterior) went off. We were driving along with no lights. The next day we noticed the cluster panel stopped working as well. All of the gauges except for the gas gauge stopped working. Isuzu went out of business here is memphis a few years before this happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 isuzu ascender. While driving various speeds, the vehicle made a loud abnormal noise underneath the hood of the vehicle. The wires on the driver side headlights melted. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold gasket was fractured and the headlights failed, all of which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired a total of three times for the intake manifold gasket and twice for the headlights within the past three years; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The lights go off while driving at night. It is the same problem as with the ascender 2006-2008 recall, but does not include the 2005. The hdm has gone out. It has happened several times in the past 4 months only to go out and not come back on this last time 03/01/2016. I should not have to pay to have it replaced. I noticed on the internet that other people have had the same problem with the car prior to 2006 model. They should cover the cost on this car since it is the exact same problem as the recall 14v755000 11/26/2014 and second notice of recall 08/18/2015. The 2005 model should be included.
Fuel gage fluxuates reading empty when full at start up and at speed.
I was driving our car ( 2005 isuzu ascender), having just exited the highway I was only going around 5- 8 MPH when out of no where and with no reason the side, and rear airbags unexpectedly deployoed. There was no reason for them to have deployed, no accident, impact, bumps or anything. One minute everything was fine the next there was a loud sound and the cabin filled with airbags and a horrible smell thankfully my children were not in the car because the way they exploded it would have surely caused them physical harm. Upon the airbags unexpectedly deploying the seatbelts locked up completely.
Vehicle's rear airbags deployed with out any cause. I was driving aprox. 5-8 MPH turning into a parking lot and out of nowhere the vehicles air bags deployed without any warning. Upon the airbags deploying the seatbelts locked up completely.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 isuzu ascender. The contact stated the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact mentioned that the horn would come on intermittently. Also, the contact stated that the drivers side window glass fell inside the vehicle and fractured. In addition, the contact mentioned that it was difficult to shift gears. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Compare the 2005 Isuzu Ascender
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Questions about the 2005 Isuzu Ascender
Is the 2005 Isuzu Ascender reliable?
Owners have filed 64 complaints about the 2005 Isuzu Ascender, 1.8 times a typical Ascender model year.
What is the 2005 Isuzu Ascender year score?
The 2005 Isuzu Ascender scores 53 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Isuzu Ascender: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Isuzu Ascender?
Electrical system, with 27 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles. Next is fuel system (24).
How many recalls does the 2005 Isuzu Ascender have?
1 recall, covering visibility.
What year does the Isuzu Ascender have the most electrical problems?
The Isuzu Ascender model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (34 complaints) and 2005 (27 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Isuzu Ascender get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Isuzu Ascender range from 15 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-14 city and 18-20 highway.
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