no report yet
Suspension: rear
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…
2002 Isuzu AxiomProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 124 owner complaints about the 2002 Isuzu Axiom, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Isuzu Axiom has problems
124 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
35Power train
31Structure
24Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
22Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
9Engine and engine cooling
8Tires
7Fuel system, gasoline
6Equipment
6Electrical system
3513 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 35 | 0 |
| Structure | 31 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 24 | 3 |
| Suspension | 22 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| Tires | 8 | 3 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 1 |
| Equipment | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 35 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2002 Isuzu Axiom recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Structure
Risk. THE RESULTS OF THIS TEST INDICATED A POSSIBILITY OF AN INCREASED RISK OF HEAD INJURY IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Isuzu.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 27 power train complaints. 59% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles16under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other Axiom year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Axiom median. How we score
'02'03'04
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Isuzu Axiom safety ratings
2002 Isuzu Axiom 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Isuzu Axiom, and the recalls they led to.
- Fuel Tank Retention FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Axiom owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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. '
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…
Own a 2002 Axiom?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.