The defect
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.
The risk
THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.
The 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's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Isuzu Ascender | 2003 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isuzu Ascender | 2003 | 35 | 5 |
Other power train recalls in 2003
22 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the power train; ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED filed 59 campaigns in all.
| 03V503000 4 Dec 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V486000 26 Nov 2003 | MOTO GUZZI NORTH AMERICA |
| 03V493000 26 Nov 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V475000 14 Nov 2003 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 03V415000 22 Oct 2003 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 03V358000 29 Sept 2003 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 03V413000 24 Sept 2003 | SHREDFAST, INC. |
| 03V309000 26 Aug 2003 | YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003