2003 Isuzu Ascender Limited 4WD
All photo credits
- Photo: 2008 Isuzu Ascender 5-Passenger S in Arctic White & Gray Metallic, Front Left, 06-17-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Rattler+Car+View by Pizzacrustman at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Isuzu-Ascender-5pass by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2005 Isuzu Ascender by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2008 Isuzu Ascender 5-Passenger S in Arctic White & Gray Metallic, Rear Left, 06-17-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Isuzu Ascender Limited 4WD is a 275-hp 4.2-liter inline-6 with a 4-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $39,174 MSRP and is rated at 16 mpg combined.
It makes 275 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 275 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (16 mpg combined).
The Ascender measures 207.6 inches long on a 129.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,790 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $39,174 ($69,193 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 4.2-liter DOHC 24-valve I6 |
| Displacement | 4.2 L |
| Horsepower | 275 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 275 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 24-valve |
| Injection Type | Fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | 4WD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 14 MPG |
| Highway | 19 MPG |
| Combined | 16 MPG |
| Tank Capacity | 25 gal |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 17" |
| Wheels Rear | 17" |
| Tires Front | P245/65R17 |
| Tires Rear | P245/65R17 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 207.6 in |
| Width | 76.1 in |
| Height | 75.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 129 in |
| Ground Clearance | 8 in |
| Curb Weight | 4,790 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 40.2 in |
| Headroom Rear | 39.6 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.1 in |
| Legroom Rear | 37.5 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 58.5 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 58.4 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.5 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.5 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Isuzu Ascender Limited 4WD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu ASCENDER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Oct 27, 2005 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA campaign 05V494000
May 5, 2005 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
NHTSA campaign 05V198000
Feb 4, 2004 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
NHTSA campaign 04V061000
Jul 21, 2003 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
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.
NHTSA campaign 03V269000
Jun 5, 2003 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA campaign 03V213000
35 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu ASCENDER
Owner Complaints
35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu ASCENDER (2 mention a crash, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Fuel System | 6 |
| Gasoline | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 ISUZU ASCENDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.