IllustrationDRIVING 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
2003 Isuzu Axiom
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Axiom years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reportsTL* 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 IND…
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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.
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 THAT THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A…
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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
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
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 FAILUR…
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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.
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 THE…
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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
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…
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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
SPENT 2800 FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2X ON 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. *TR
Official recalls
313V547000 · Suspension:rear
Oct 31, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The corrosion may allow the bracket to detach from the frame, impacting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
05V466000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Oct 7, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
03V390000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp
Oct 10, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DIODES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP18001 · Fuel Tank Retention Failure
Opened May 23, 2018 · Closed Mar 5, 2020
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
On April 10, 2018, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the Petitioner) requesting that the Agency ?undertake a defects investigation? of ?rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks? (NHTSA ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017. On May 23, 2018, ODI opened DP18-001 to evaluate the Petitioner?s request for a defect investigation. ODI sent information request letters to Isuzu and Honda requesting production, design history and field data related to fuel tank retention failures in MY 2001-2004 Isuzu Rodeo, MY 2002-2004 Isuzu Axiom and MY 2001-2002 Honda Passport vehicles equipped with the same fuel tank shield part number as the Petitioner?s vehicle (the ?subject vehicles?). ODI notes that Isuzu manufactured the subject Passport vehicles for Honda. Isuzu implemented a change to the tank shield corrosion protection system as a running change in early MY 2002 production. Isuzu and Honda sold approximately 172,000 subject vehicles in the United States. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the subject vehicles were produced prior to the shield change (99,000) and 42 percent after the change (73,000).ODI?s analysis of field data identified 19 incidents of partial fuel tank detachments in the subject vehicles. The incidents all occurred in states with high road salt usage in winter months (Salt States) and involved older vehicles beyond 10-years in service. On average, the failures occurred in the vehicle?s 13th year-in-service. Evidence of severe general corrosion in multiple undercarriage components was also noted in 13 of the 19 vehicles that experienced partial fuel tank detachments. None of the incidents resulted in fuel leakage or fire. Aside from the petitioner?s vehicle, ODI has not identified any other incidents of complete or partial fuel tank detachment in the MY 2002-2004 subject vehicles equipped with the modified retention shield.In addition, ODI reviewed 24 NHTSA complaints alleging corrosion concerns with the fuel tank retention system in the subject vehicles that did not result in fuel tank detachment. Twenty-three (23) of these complaints involve subject vehicles built prior to the shield change. Like the vehicles reporting fuel tank detachments, these vehicles are also all from Salt States and, in most cases (20 of the 24 complaints), the vehicles also experienced severe corrosion concerns in other undercarriage components. Half (12 of the 24 complaints) of the vehicles show prior accident damage in their service histories.Based on these analyses, ODI has not identified evidence of a defect trend for premature corrosion-related fuel tank detachments in the MY 2004 Isuzu Rodeo or similarly equipped vehicles. The damage that may result in tank retention concerns appears to occur progressively over many years with ample opportunity for detection and repair. Furthermore, ODI has not identified any crashes, fires, injuries, or fuel leaks associated with fuel tank retention failures in a population of vehicles that currently range from 16 to 19 years old.Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition.A summary of ODI?s analysis of this petition will be published in the Federal Register and is also available in the investigative file for this action.The NHTSA consumer complaints counted in the closing resume for DP18-001 can be reviewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers (VOQs in parentheses denote duplicate records): Allegations of fuel tank retention failure: 11084098 (11091788), 10532845, 10486109. Allegations of fuel tank retention component corrosion: 11138931, 10992150, 10845523,