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Isuzu AxiomModel year report

2003 Isuzu Axiom Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
104,500miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 19 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and fuel system (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 104,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the lamp and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10463250, filed 2012-06, 61,838 miles

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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10188399, filed 2007-04, 61,000 miles

Fuel system: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11030825, filed 2017-10, 130,716 miles

Air 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?”

NHTSA complaint #11325218, filed 2020-05, 180,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

8% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 61,838 and 135,850 miles.

8%0–100%10–250%25–5025%50–758%75–10050%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 104,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2007420092010201120122013201420172020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Axiom · sedan not rated4 / 4——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Isuzu Axiom version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Axiom 2WD3.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151916$4,200
Axiom 4WD3.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141916$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

Other model years of the Isuzu Axiom

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20041760,0002—18—Stable
200316104,5003—16—Falling
200212480,0004—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Isuzu Axiom model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Isuzu Axiom have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2003 Isuzu Axiom as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Isuzu Axiom is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.

Has the 2003 Isuzu Axiom been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Isuzu Axiom get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Isuzu Axiom (Axiom 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 19 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Isuzu Axiom reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 104,500 miles and the middle half falls between 61,838 and 135,850 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.