2003 Isuzu Ascender

Summary:

May be hazardous to your health!

Faults:

The fuel tank had to be replaced with less than 500 miles on the car due to a leak.

The car now has 30,000 miles and was recalled due to a possible leak in the fuel tank. The dealer found 2 leaks. The dealer is unable to locate a new tank to put in the car. It has now been at the dealer for over a week because they will not allow it to be driven off the lot due to the possibility that it may catch on fire. Beware- Isuzu does not offer loaner cars or pay for a rental.

General Comments:

Overall, I have always been happy with the handling, comfort, and size of the car. It has been a great SUV for my busy family. However, Isuzu's policies and inability to get parts will keep me from ever buying another Isuzu product.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th July, 2007

20th Aug 2007, 15:37

That's funny about the fuel tank... They could have just contacted any Chevy dealer and got one since these are identical to the Trailblazer...

2005 Isuzu Ascender

Summary:

Great

Faults:

None at this time. We love our vehicle.

General Comments:

We bought our vehicle brand new. It is a 2005. We got a great price on it and a good buying experience from Bramley and Graham in Beaverton, Oregon.

Thank you Isuzu!!!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2007

2006 Isuzu Ascender 7 Passenger

Summary:

Not really the Isuzu everyone loved

Faults:

-Fender Bender: Had to replace the rear bumper and 1 tail light.

-Tranny had to be replaced.

-Exterior side mirror came loose and fell off (my fault)

NOT TOO MUCH!

General Comments:

This is my fourth Isuzu product. I have owned a Trooper, Rodeo and Axiom before buying my Ascender. My Axiom's re-sale value was incredibly low, and I was disappointed with the car overall. Nonetheless, I trusted Isuzu and was pretty satisfied with the warranty and price, which was much lower than Trailblazer and Envoy. Just after buying this car, the Isuzu dealer in my town shut down, so I had to drive 40 minutes to the nearest Saturn Dealer, which could make any repairs to it and service it. The car is not like Past Isuzu models, it is just a cheap mimic of the Envoy, which I don't really like. Isuzus overall don't have anything special about them since the time I got my Axiom, well atleast that one was a bit exciting and sharp-looking, but this one is boring. The reliability is pretty good, there have been little engine woes, but the back seats are very hard to remove.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th March, 2007

20th Aug 2007, 15:53

First of all... Why did you buy this SUV?? You said it is boring and you don't like the Envoy upon which it is based. Also, you didn't seem too happy with your old Isuzu. Not a good buying decision overall I would say. As far as the tranny failure... Were you pulling anything? If so were you in drive or 3rd gear. If you pull a trailer in overdrive it will surely fry the transmission on these trucks. We have almost 50K on ours and we pull a boat and snowmobiles with it, but only in 3rd gear and so far so good. I think it is much better looking than the Envoy/Trailblazer (other than the SS of course) and the warranty was much better than both at that time (2004). Been a great truck so far...

22nd Jul 2008, 21:04

The Ascender is one of a tiny number of Isuzu's I would ever realistically consider buying, especially now that a certain bit of news has become official- Isuzu is pulling out of the U.S. car market, leaving only their commercial-level and diesel engine division, meaning that the average consumer will have no more Isuzu's to buy, and that there may soon be serious problems for servicing and parts obtainment. How can you possibly get servicing and parts but so easily if the company literally isn't there anymore?

But the Ascender and the I-series pickup truck are different. They are like the Honda Passport, Pontiac Vibe, Isuzu Oasis, and Chevrolet Prizm- somebody else's car under another name. Being GM products mechanically and Isuzus in name only, owners won't have to worry about parts or servicing as much as owners of mechanically Isuzu-built cars.