← Back to Search

2003 Isuzu Axiom S 4WD SUV

The 2003 Isuzu Axiom S 4WD SUV is a 230-hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 4-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. It starts at $27,620 MSRP and is rated at 16 mpg combined.

It makes 230 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 230 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (16 mpg combined).

The Axiom measures 182.6 inches long on a 106.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,917 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$27,620 ($48,785 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower230 hp @ 5,400 rpm
Torque230 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 24-valve
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined16 MPG
Tank Capacity19 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17"
Wheels Rear17"
Tires FrontP235/65R17
Tires RearP235/65R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length182.6 in
Width70.7 in
Height67.2 in
Wheelbase106.4 in
Ground Clearance7.9 in
Curb Weight3,917 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.9 in
Headroom Rear39.1 in
Legroom Front42.1 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Front56.6 in
Shoulder Room Rear55.9 in
Hip Room Front53 in
Hip Room Rear53 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★
Tested variant: 2003 Isuzu Axiom 4-DR.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu AXIOM. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 31, 2013 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V547000

Oct 7, 2005 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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: 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.

NHTSA campaign 05V466000

Oct 10, 2003 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

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.

Remedy: THE DIODES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA campaign 03V390000

16 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu AXIOM

Owner Complaints

16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Isuzu AXIOM (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Hydraulic3
Service Brakes3
Air Bags2
Engine And Engine Cooling2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 19, 2020 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“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…”
Oct 2, 2017 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
Sep 30, 2017 · Unknown Or Other, Electronic Stability Control (Esc), Fuel/Propulsion System
“THE FUEL PUMP STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE SENSOR”
Aug 14, 2014 · Power Train, Equipment
“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”
Mar 18, 2013 · Fuel/Propulsion System Fire
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 ISUZU AXIOM. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search