Most common 2003 Isuzu Axiom problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Isuzu Axiom complaints by model year
Best Axiom years: 2003, 2004. Years to avoid: 2002. Compare all years →
2003 Isuzu Axiom recalls (3)
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, Pennsylvania, Delaware,…
Remedy: Isuzu will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear suspension lower link bracket area. For vehicles in which little or no corrosion is found, the area will be treated with an anti-corrosive compound.
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.
Remedy: For vehicles registered in the states identified above, dealers will provide a new cover over the existing feed port on the fuel pump or, if the existing feed port has already been damaged, dealers will install a new…
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.
Remedy: The diodes have been replaced. All vehicles have been repaired.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Isuzu Axiom:
Fuel Tank Retention Failure
On April 10, 2018, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the Petitioner) requesting that the Agency ?undertake a defects investigation? of ?rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks? (NHTSA ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017.
What 2003 Isuzu Axiom owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl 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.
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.
Brakes
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. …
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. …
Fuel & 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.
Tl 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.
2003 Isuzu Axiom engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Isuzu Axiom a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Axiom rates better than average: 77% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Axiom at the same age. It is one of the best Axiom years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Isuzu Axiom?
The transmission & drivetrain — 4 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › lever and linkage › column shift. Next are the brakes (3) and fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2003 Isuzu Axiom have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom, the most recent from October 31, 2013 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Isuzu Axiom?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002. See the full Isuzu Axiom years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Isuzu Axiom problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 106,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.