ISUZU AXIOM · model year

2002 ISUZU AXIOM

193 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002ISUZUAXIOM carries 193 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 AXIOM is structure:frame and members with 21 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (20) and suspension (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2002 AXIOM. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

193
Complaints
16
Crashes
2
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

193 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS21
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION20
SUSPENSION13
POWER TRAIN10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6
STRUCTURE:BODY6
SUSPENSION:FRONT5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
TIRES5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4

Recalls (4)

03V11300024/03/2003

STRUCTURE

AS A RESULT OF INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM A HEAD IMPACT TEST CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO EVALUATE COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT," ISUZU HAS DESIGNED A MODIFICATION FOR CERTAIN 2002

10V43600022/09/2010

SUSPENSION:REAR

ISUZU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2002 ISUZU RODEO AND MODEL YEAR 2002 ISUZU AXIOM VEHICLES, AND HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES, THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IN THE STATES OF MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND,

02V21300009/08/2002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE MANUFACTURED AND SHIPPED WITHOUT A NECESSARY COMPONENT KNOWN AS A CHECK VALVE PIN.

05V46600007/10/2005

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 LAUN

Recent Complaints

20190924STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR LOWER AXLE BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND AXLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,941.

Mileage: 165,941

20190924SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR LOWER AXLE BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND AXLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,941.

Mileage: 165,941

20180724POWER TRAIN

MY 2002 ISUZU AXIOM TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WITHIN A WEEK I WAS AT A STOP SIGN I WENT TO TAKE OFF AND MY CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE IT WENT IN REVERSE BUT NOT FORWARD IF I HIT 'WINTER MODE' IT WILL BYPASS FIRST GEAR AND DRIVE IN SECOND AND THIRD BUT NOT IN FIRST.... ONCE I COME TO A STOP IT COMES OUT OF WINTER MODE AND THEN I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND PUT IT IN WINTER MODE ALL OVER AGAIN..... THIS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED FREE OF CHARGE...... THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION.. IT'S NOT FAIR TO CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THIS SUV AND THESE COMMON ISSUES HAPPEN AND WHERE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT... NOT FAIR MY SUV IS NOW JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THEY DON'T MAKE THESE TRANSMISSIONS OR PARTS FOR THEM I'VE GONE TO ADVANCED I'VE LOOKED ONLINE IT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION PLUS LABOR OR THE SIMPLE FIX IS A SOLENOID BUT GUESS WHAT YOU CANT FIND THE PART.... WE SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE PLEASE HELP US FIX OUR SUV

Mileage: 121,000

20180416POWER TRAIN

MY 2002 ISUZU AXIOM HAS 47,000 GENTLE MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. WITHIN A WEEK OF THAT STARTING IT COMPLETELY STOPPED SHIFTING OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THIS IS A COMMONLY REPORTED ISSUE AND FROM WHAT MY MECHANIC HAS SAID 'IT'S JUST A POOR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. '

Mileage: 47,000

20170414SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENSOR, AND BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,001.

Mileage: 102,001

20170414FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENSOR, AND BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,001.

Mileage: 102,001

20170222POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE ACCELETATING FROM A STOP AND DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS THE CONTACT WANTED A SECOND OPINION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20160902SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM WITH 84,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MANY, MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO MENTION OTHER ISSUES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, STARTER FAILING TO START RIGHT AWAY

Mileage: 85,000

20160902ENGINE

I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM WITH 84,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MANY, MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO MENTION OTHER ISSUES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, STARTER FAILING TO START RIGHT AWAY

Mileage: 85,000

20160902POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM WITH 84,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MANY, MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO MENTION OTHER ISSUES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, STARTER FAILING TO START RIGHT AWAY

Mileage: 85,000

20160525STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 4/5/2017 *JS

Mileage: 114,000

20150715SUSPENSION

2002 ISUZU AXIOM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME CONNECTION TO THE REAR DRIVE RUSTED OFF AND CONSUMER STATES UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE WITH NEGOTIATING VEHICLE FAIR MARKET VALUE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FIXED. *JB

20150128ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,330. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN

Mileage: 106,330

20150128POWER TRAIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,330. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN

Mileage: 106,330

20141124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH...THE SWITCH IS BROKEN IT HAVE FORE PLAY BACK N FORTH...WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN RUNNING YOU CAN FOREPLAY WITH THE KEY BACK N FORTH...WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT....THE KEY CAN BE TURN TO POSITION 3 THE RADIO AND WINDOWS AND DON'T COMES ON....BUT TURN THE KEY BACK BETWEEN 2 POSITION THE ENGINE STILLS RUN AND THE RADIO COMES ON AND THE WINDOWS AND HEAT COMES ON.........IT HAVE A HEAVY HIT IN THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN IT GOES IN POTHOLES ARE OVER A BUMP. *TR

Mileage: 71,038

20140928SUSPENSION

PRIOR DAY BEFORE THE BRAKE, I HAD NOTICED A SWAYING/SWINGING IN REAR END OF MY CAR WHILE OUT RUNNING ERRANDS. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BAD ROAD OR I HAD CHANGED LANES NOT WELL. DIDN'T DRIVE IT THE NEXT DAY. SATURDAY MORNING I WAS ENROUTE TO PICKUP THE GRANDKIDS TO ATTEND A FREE KIDS HOME DEPOT WORKSHOP, I LEFT MY HOME AND TURNED 1 BLOCK LEFT TO TRAVEL THE ROUTE I NORMAL TAKE TO THEIR HOME. I GO UP A L HILL AND AFTER I CREST THE HILL I HEAR THIS LOUD CLANK NOISE. I THOUGHT THAT I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING SO I PULL OVER AND CHECK THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, SAW NOTHING. I GOT OUT AND CIRCLED MY CAR AND AFTER COMING BACK AROUND, ON THE DRIVER REAR I NOTICED A BAR HANGING DOWN. SO I GET DOWN AND LOOK TO SEE THIS BAR RUNNING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE IN FRONT OF MY BACK REAR TIRE TO DANGLING DOWN FROM WHERE IT APPEARED TO BE BROKEN FROM CORROSION AND RUSTED FROM THE FRAME OF MY CAR. I WAS 3/4 BLOCKS FROM HOME SO I SLOWLY DROVE IT BACK TO MY HOUSE WHERE I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE. I TOOK PHOTOS AND SHOW

Mileage: 108,408

20140529STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE AT A STOP THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE REAR SUB FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK CASE, THE REAR SUSPENSION, AND THE REAR SUB FRAME RUSTED AND DETERIORATION. THE PARTS HAD DETACHED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V466000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

20140529SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE AT A STOP THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE REAR SUB FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK CASE, THE REAR SUSPENSION, AND THE REAR SUB FRAME RUSTED AND DETERIORATION. THE PARTS HAD DETACHED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V466000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

20140306SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SUSPENSION BEGAN JERKING VIOLENTLY AND EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSIS AND HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

20140106STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V436000 (SUSPENSION) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 2002ISUZUAXIOM to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 ISUZU AXIOM have?
The 2002 ISUZU AXIOM has 193 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 ISUZU AXIOM?
Yes, the 2002 ISUZU AXIOM has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 ISUZU AXIOM?
The most-complained component for the 2002 ISUZU AXIOM is STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS with 21 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2002 ISUZU AXIOM safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.