AI Damage2003 Isuzu Axiom: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Isuzu Axiom filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 7 Electronic stability control 6% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (25% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (13% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Axiom has 40 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 16, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Isuzu Axiom?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (13%), fuel system, fuel smell (13%), knocking, grinding or other noise (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Isuzu Axiom from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.