2003 Isuzu AXIOM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
104,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 31.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Equipment: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2007: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10187292 · 2007-04-08 (April 8, 2007)
I HAVE A 2003 ISUZU AXIOM THAT HAS A BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP YOU GET T VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO JUST SHAKE COMPLETELY APART. THE VIBRATING STARTS FROM THE BACK AND MOVES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITH THIS ENORMOUS VIBRATING SOUND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, ALL I KEEP DOING IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND, AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS. NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO TRY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10187292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10188399 · 2007-04-19 (April 19, 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, TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204732 · 2007-10-02 (October 2, 2007)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10318921 · 2010-03-11 (March 11, 2010)
SPENT 2800 FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2X ON 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10318921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503422 · 2013-03-18 (March 18, 2013)
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 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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030628 · 2017-09-30 (September 30, 2017)
THE FUEL PUMP STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11030628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030825 · 2017-10-02 (October 2, 2017)
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 CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,716 miles reported. Look up ODI 11030825 at NHTSA ↗