Model year guide

2008 Isuzu Ascender

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Isuzu Ascender is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2008 Isuzu Ascender — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Isuzu Ascender at a glance

Safety recalls1
Combined16 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 Isuzu Ascender recalls 1

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #15V519000 · manufacturer #14291 · 14/08/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 Isuzu Ascender MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,200
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Isuzu Ascender costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,000
Fuel only$21,000
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Loss of Headlights Closed

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 investiga…

NHTSA #RQ17002 · Exterior Lighting · opened Apr 2017 · closed Mar 2021

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 66

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 66.

This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio…

Bulletin IB13-R-001G · May 2023

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001B · Equipment · Aug 2022

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001A · Equipment · Aug 2022

The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the chart below to find equivalent of similar p…

Bulletin IB09-X-002B · Equipment · Jul 2022

The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number will be issued solely for information trac…

Bulletin IB09-X-004C · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2022

This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.

Bulletin 22NA009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2022

This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handlin…

Bulletin 16NA338 · Power Train · Oct 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing t…

Bulletin PIT5074L · Electrical System · Jun 2019

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician the steps on diagnosing the concern. Customer's sunroof operation intermittent, bind, noise, auto-reverse, and/or water leaks.

Bulletin PIC5260C · Visibility · Apr 2019

This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the l…

Bulletin PIP5540D · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ASCENDER 5 RWD/4WD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Isuzu Ascender

The Isuzu Ascender is a mid-size SUV built by General Motors for Isuzu. The 7-passenger Ascender was introduced for the 2003 model year as a replacement for the Isuzu Trooper. The 5-passenger Ascender was introduced for the 2004 model year as a replacement for the Isuzu Rodeo and the Isuzu Axiom.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2008 Isuzu Ascender trims & engines on record

Trims
S
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl

2008 Isuzu Ascender vehicles on record

Other Isuzu Ascender model years

2008 Isuzu Ascender — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Isuzu Ascender have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Isuzu Ascender. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Isuzu Ascender get?

The 2008 Isuzu Ascender has a U.S. EPA estimate of 16 mpg combined (14 city / 20 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.