RoadVitals

2003 Isuzu Axiom Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest May 19, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Isuzu Axiom, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Fuel system316.7%
  • Brakes316.7%
  • Engine211.1%
  • Transmission211.1%
  • Body & structure211.1%
  • Powertrain (other)211.1%
  • Airbags211.1%
  • Driver assistance15.6%
  • Other / unspecified15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11030825 · filed Oct 2, 2017

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

NHTSA ID 11030628 · filed Sep 30, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 AS THOUGH YOU HAVE PRESSED THE GAS. IT IS A HAZARD AND I REALLY THINK THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ISUZU BRAKES. MY CAR NOW HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY BRAKES CHECKED AND REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. MY BRAKES CONSTANTLY MAKE A NOISE AND SHUTTERING. I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS MY REAR BRAKES....IT DOES NOT GO AWAY AND I HAVE THEM REPLACED AND ADJUSTED SEVERAL TIMES, AS WELL AS REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID 10195210 · filed Jul 3, 2007

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 SLOWING SIGNIFICANTLY IN AN EMERGENCY. *JB

NHTSA ID 10188399 · filed Apr 19, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10419902 · filed Aug 17, 2011

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

NHTSA ID 10297644 · filed Dec 31, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10318921 · filed Mar 11, 2010

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.

NHTSA ID 10204732 · filed Oct 2, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10458409 · filed May 14, 2012

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

NHTSA ID 10458333 · filed May 14, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10622425 · filed Aug 14, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10463250 · filed Jun 27, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11325218 · filed May 19, 2020

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

NHTSA ID 10266207 · filed Apr 21, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11030628 · filed Sep 30, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10622425 · filed Aug 14, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .