ISUZU AXIOM · model year

2003 ISUZU AXIOM

19 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003ISUZUAXIOM carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 AXIOM is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 3 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and air bags (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2003 AXIOM. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

19
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

19 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
EQUIPMENT1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (3)

13V54700031/10/2013

SUSPENSION:REAR

Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Rodeo and Axiom, and 2003 Rodeo Sport vehicles that were originally sold in, or are currently registered in, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, P

03V39000010/10/2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE IN THE EVENT OF DECREASED BRAKE FLUID VOLUME.

05V46600007/10/2005

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FUEL CONTAMINATED WITH SILICON MAY DEVELOP SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE FUEL PUMP FEED PORT. SILICON HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE FUEL SYSTEMS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES AND IN CERTAIN FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE REGION OF TYLER, TEXAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUN

Recent Complaints

20200519CrashAIR BAGS

DRIVING IN A LARGE PARKING LOT, HIT A LARGE CEMENT POLE DOING 20 MILES PER HOUR.AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD NOT PUT MY SEAT BELT ON YET & HIT & SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD KNOCKING OUT ALL OF MY FRONT UPPER TEETH. FRACTURED MAXILLA .WHY DID AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOY? *TR

Mileage: 180,000

20171002FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE RESIDENCE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,716.

Mileage: 130,716

20170930ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE FUEL PUMP STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR

20170930FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL PUMP STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR

20170930UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FUEL PUMP STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR

20140814EQUIPMENT

I HAVE A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM 4X4 AND IN MARCH, 2014 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AND AS A RESULT I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I HAVE LESS THEN 98,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

20140814POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM 4X4 AND IN MARCH, 2014 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AND AS A RESULT I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I HAVE LESS THEN 98,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

20130318FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VENTS AS FLAMES ERUPTED NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A LEAK AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

20120627POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION BAD AT 61K. SPENT $3,800 ON REBUILT TRANSMISSION AS METAL PARTICLES WERE CLOGGING THE TRANSMISSION FILTER. MECHANIC NOTED THAT TRANMISSION PUMP WAS BAD AND CAUSING METAL TO BREAK OFF AND CLOG THE FILTER. *TR

Mileage: 61,838

20120514STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS IN MY AREA AND BOTH TOLD ME THE FRAME HAS SEVERE CORROSION AND IS MIGHT BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. THEY SHOWED ME MULTIPLE HOLES IN THE FRAME ON THE BACK PASSENGER CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. IT LOOKS SO BAD THAT I COULD JUST BREAK THE FRAME WITH A HAMMER. THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION, BUT THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A WELDER TO GET IT REPAIRED. IS THIS SOMETHING I CAN DRIVE ON? AM I RISKING MY LIFE? IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME WAS RECALLED ON THE 2002 MODELS, BUT NOT THE 2003 AND 2004 MODELS WHICH USE THE SAME EXACT FRAME! I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. SOUNDS PRETTY STUPID AND MIGHT RISK SOMEONE'S LIFE. *JS

Mileage: 140,000

20120514STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN THE DEALER ADVISED THAT UNDER RUST WAS FOUND ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS THE FRAME BRACKET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20110817ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2003 ISUZU AXIOM 3.5L 6CYL ENGINE. INTAKE MANIFOLD BURNS GASKETS AND LEAKS OIL IN THE ENGINE . ISUZU CLAIMS IT MAY BE THE ENGINE BLOCK BUT HAS NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAD THE GASKETS REPLACED 4 TIMES BEFORE I REALIZED IT WAS A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM CAUSES SEVERE SMELL OF BURNING OIL AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. *KB

Mileage: 51,200

20100311POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SPENT 2800 FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2X ON 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20091231ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1000 - 1500 MILES ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE MILEAGE IS OVER 90,000. RESEARCHED AND ISUZU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20090421CrashAIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR NECK, LEG, AND BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND COULD POSSIBLY BE LABELED AS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,850 UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM/HER PULLED HIS EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF HIM STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE CONSUMER NEVER SAW THE DRIVERS BRAKE LIGHTS. UPDATED 05/12/09. *JB UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

Mileage: 135,850

20071002POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE GEAR FROM PARK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SHIFT LEVER AND SWITCH ACCESSORY FAILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

Mileage: 2,000

20070703SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING MY 2003 ISUZU AXIOM, I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. ON 5 OR MORE OCCASIONS, I HAVE HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP OR HAVE PRESSED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY ON A BUMPY SERVICE AND HAVE HAD VERY POOR RESULTS. THE RESULTS INCLUDE A SENSE OF THE BRAKES NOT WORKING AT ALL. BEFORE I PURCHASED THE AXIOM, I OWED A 98 ISUZU RODEO THAT HAD VERY SIMILAR BRAKING ISSUES. I HAD A WRECK IN MY 1998 RODEO WHERE I FEEL THAT MY BRAKES FAILED WHEN I HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THAT WAS 3 YEARS AGO AND I STILL SUFFER ON A DAILY BASIS FROM THAT CAR ACCIDENT. I RECALL THAT I PRESSED MY BRAKES HARD AND I HAD TO LET OFF THE BRAKE AND THEN PRESS THEM AGAIN FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I HAVE TO NOW DEAL WITH ON MY AXIOM. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN JUST WHEN YOU NEED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. I HAVE HAD ISSUE WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT.YOU KNOW WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE SOME TO INCH FORWARD A LITTLE.....MY CAR WILL SOMETIMES LURCH A

20070419CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM VIRTUALLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOV 2003. WHEN I BRAKE ON A BUMPY OR WET ROAD, OR WHEN I HAVE TO BRAKE HARD TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY, THE CAR RATTLES AND MAKE S GRINDING SOUND. IT ALSO TAKE EXTRA LONG TO SLOW THE VEHICLE MUCH LESS STOP. THE LAST TIME I HAD THIS PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND A VAN SEVERAL VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL U-TURN. I TEND TO KEEP A GREATER DISTANCE BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO THE BRAKE ISSUE. REGARDLESS, THE ROAD I WAS ON HAS A FEW BUMPS. AT THE POINT OF ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THE BRAKES WENT INTO ANTI-LOCK AND DIDN'T STOP MY CAR BEFORE I HIT THE CAR. I HAVE ALREADY CHANGE THE BRAKE TWO OTHER TIMES AND HAD ROTORS REPLACED ONE. I WILL BE NEEDING NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS WITHIN THE NEXT 5-10K MILES. FOUR SETS OF BRAKES IN LESS THAN 70K MILES SCREAMS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BESIDE THE VEHICLE NOT STOPPING, OR

Mileage: 61,000

20070408SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

I HAVE A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM THAT HAS A BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP YOU GET T VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO JUST SHAKE COMPLETELY APART. THE VIBRATING STARTS FROM THE BACK AND MOVES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THIS ENORMOUS VIBRATING SOUND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ALL I KEEP DOING IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND, AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS. NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO TRY AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOBODY ACTS LIKE THEY REALLY WANT TO HELP. I' HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES, HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Compare 2003ISUZUAXIOM to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 ISUZU AXIOM have?
The 2003 ISUZU AXIOM has 19 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 ISUZU AXIOM?
Yes, the 2003 ISUZU AXIOM has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is SUSPENSION:REAR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 ISUZU AXIOM?
The most-complained component for the 2003 ISUZU AXIOM is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2003 ISUZU AXIOM safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.