2002 Isuzu Axiom Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 17, 2026 · 124 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Axiom years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 4 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Isuzu Axiom. That is the most of any Axiom model year in the database (4 years). The most reported problem area is power train (35 complaints, 28%), typically at around 89,239 miles. Complaints mention 13 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Isuzu Axiom
2002-2004 Isuzu Axiom photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2002 Isuzu Axiom problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train35 · ~89,239 mi
Structure31 · ~101,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24 · ~17,000 mi
Suspension22 · ~100,500 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling9 · ~60,000 mi
Tires8 · ~24,953 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline7 · ~90,000 mi
Electrical System6 · ~69,519 mi
Equipment6 · ~56,000 mi
Air Bags5 · ~39,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train3528%89,239——
Structure3125%101,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2419%17,000——
Suspension2218%100,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling97%60,000——
Tires86%24,953——
Fuel System, Gasoline76%90,000——
Electrical System65%69,519——
Equipment65%56,000——
Air Bags54%39,000——
Vehicle Speed Control54%8,000——
Steering43%34,846——
Seat Belts32%56,000——
Visibility32%9,317——
Engine22%95,665——
Fuel System, Other22%———
Latches/locks/linkages22%64,500——
Seats22%9,317——
Service Brakes22%93,501——
Service Brakes, Air22%30,000——
Traction Control System22%122,500——
Unknown or Other22%9,317——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%119,100——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 22 complaints
2002: 9200292003: 16162004: 112004112005: 15152006: 7200672007: 442008: 1200812009: 772010: 222010222011: 14142012: 2201222013: 112014: 5201452015: 222016: 2201622017: 222018: 2201822019: 112026: 120261

n = 124 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2002 Isuzu Axiom recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Suspension:rearSep 22, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V436000 · 149,992 vehicles

Problem: 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, connecticut, new york, new jersey, pennsylvania, delaware, maryland, the district of columbia, west virginia, ohio, indiana, michigan, illinois, wisconsin, minnesota, iowa, missouri, and kentucky. Vehicles that have experienced sustained exposure to highly corrosive materials used in some jurisdictions for road deicing purposes may experience excessive corrosion in the vicinity of the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link prior to the time that such corrosion would normally be expected.

Risk: Excessive corrosion may result in the left or right rear suspension lower link bracket becoming detached from the frame, which can affect vehicle handling and potentially cause a crash.

Fix: 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 rare event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be appropriate, a repurchase offer will be extended to the vehicle's owner. 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, or honda dealer (as applicable), dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued. The safety recall began on december 10, 2010. Isuzu owners may contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727. Honda owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpOct 7, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V466000 · 15,515 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak could lead to a vehicle fire.

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 different material. The recall began on november 25, 2005. Owners may contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

StructureMar 24, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V113000 · 11,855 vehicles

Problem: 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 model year isuzu axiom vehicles. The purpose of this modification is to enhance head impact crash protection for front seat occupants.

Risk: The results of this test indicated a possibility of an increased risk of head injury in a crash.

Fix: Isuzu will offer owners of the vehicles a free modification of the roof area of the vehicle in which energy absorbing components will be installed. Owner notification began march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact isuzu at 1-800-255-6727. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Air bags:frontalAug 9, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V213000 · 15 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the air bag will not inflate properly or sufficiently resulting in an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag. Owner notification is expected to begin during august or september 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact isuzu at 1-800-643-4070.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Fuel Tank Retention Failure (DP18001) — opened May 23, 2018, closed Mar 5, 2020.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2002 Isuzu Axiom. The contact stated that severe corrosion was discovered above the rear tires while the vehicle was raised on a lift. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V436000 (Suspension). The contact expressed concern that the extreme corrosion…

Suspension · received Sep 17, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764948

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…

Structure · received Sep 24, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11257671

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…

Power Train · received Jul 24, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11113240

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. '

Power Train · received Apr 16, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11088455

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…

Service Brakes · received Apr 14, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10978544

Other Isuzu Axiom years

← 2001 Axiom · 2003 Axiom →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2004 Axiom172
2003 Axiom163
20021244
2001 Axiom10

See all Isuzu Axiom problems by year, every Isuzu model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Isuzu Axiom?

Owners most often report power train, structure, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 35 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Isuzu Axiom?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2002 Isuzu Axiom a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Axiom model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.