2003 Isuzu Axiom
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Isuzu Axiom is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.
2003 Isuzu Axiom at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2003 Isuzu Axiom recalls 3
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,…
Fix: 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 aff…
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.
Fix: 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 DIF…
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.
Fix: THE DIODES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2003 Isuzu Axiom common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2003 Isuzu Axiom safety ratings
Frontal crash test
Side barrier testSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Isuzu Axiom 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2003 Isuzu Axiom MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2003 Isuzu Axiom costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Fuel Tank Retention Failure Closed
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 defe…
NHTSA #DP18001 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened May 2018 · closed Mar 2020An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 12
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 12.
This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio…
Bulletin IB13-R-001G · May 2023Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…
Bulletin WB13-X-001B · Equipment · Aug 2022Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…
Bulletin WB13-X-001A · Equipment · Aug 2022The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the chart below to find equivalent of similar p…
Bulletin IB09-X-002B · Equipment · Jul 2022The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number will be issued solely for information trac…
Bulletin IB09-X-004C · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2022REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *KB
Bulletin 0709002 · Service Brakes, Air · Jul 2007FUEL INJECTION CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR 3.5L DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE. *TT
Bulletin 0502001 · Fuel System, Other · Aug 2005SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES. *TT 2002-2004 ISUZU AXIOM (UP), 198-2004 RODEO (UE) AND 1998-2004 RODEO SPORT. UPDATE *SC
Bulletin 0505004 · Power Train · May 2005IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM OVERVIEW. *TT
Bulletin 0404S002 · Electrical System · Jun 2004ISUZU IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM OVERVIEW. *TT
Bulletin 0404002 · Electrical System · Jun 2004Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the AXIOM. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Isuzu Axiom
The Isuzu Axiom is a mid-size SUV introduced by Isuzu in 2001 for the 2002 model year. The Axiom is derived from the Isuzu Rodeo and was intended to be Isuzu's response to the popularity of car-based SUVs, such as the Toyota Highlander, replacing the Trooper as Isuzu's flagship vehicle in the United States.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.