2003 Isuzu Axiom Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Axiom years
- About as many complaints as other years 3rd of 4 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Isuzu Axiom. That ranks 3rd out of 4 Axiom model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (4 complaints, 25%), typically at around 61,838 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 16owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Isuzu Axiom problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 | 25% | 61,838 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 19% | 118,358 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 19% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 13% | 157,925 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 13% | 70,600 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 13% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 6% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Isuzu Axiom recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion near the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link.
Risk: The corrosion may allow the bracket to detach from the frame, impacting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. For vehicles in which corrosion has damaged the rear suspension lower link bracket and affected its connection to the vehicle frame, a reinforcement bracket will be installed. In the event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be sufficient, Isuzu will offer to repurchase the vehicle for an amount based on the Kelley Blue Book "Private Party" price. All inspections and remedies will be provided free of charge for vehicles that are 10 years old or less. For vehicles older than 10 years, Isuzu will offer a free remedy, but only if the vehicle is presented to an Isuzu service facility dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued, after that time owners will be charged for the repairs. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2013. Isuzu owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Problem: 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 launched for vehicles registered in texas and the four surrounding states: oklahoma, arkansas, new mexico and louisiana.
Risk: A fuel leak could lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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 fuel pump that is equipped with the new cover. The new cover will be made of a different material. The recall began on november 25, 2005. Owners may contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp
Problem: 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.
Fix: The diodes have been replaced. All vehicles have been repaired.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel Tank Retention Failure (DP18001) — opened May 23, 2018, closed Mar 5, 2020.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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
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 fuel pump stop working and the check engine light i also had to replace the throttle sensor
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
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…
Other Isuzu Axiom years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Axiom | 17 | 2 |
| 2003 | 16 | 3 |
| 2002 Axiom | 124 | 4 |
| 2001 Axiom | 1 | 0 |
See all Isuzu Axiom problems by year, every Isuzu model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Isuzu models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Isuzu Axiom?
Owners most often report power train, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Isuzu Axiom?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 Isuzu Axiom a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Axiom model years, the 2003 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.