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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Isuzu AxiomRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 124 owner complaints for the 2002 Isuzu Axiom. Most complaints involve power train (35) and structure (31). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2010
Owner complaints
124
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Sep 22, 2010NHTSA 10V436000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 7, 2005NHTSA 05V466000

Structure

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Mar 24, 2003NHTSA 03V113000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

124 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2002 – Sep 2026
  1. Power train35
  2. Structure31
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic24
  4. Suspension22
  5. Engine and engine cooling9
  6. Tires9
  7. Fuel system, gasoline7
  8. Equipment7
  9. Electrical system6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Axiom model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002124
200316
200417
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

35 reports
“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 I LOVE MY SUV AND MISS DRIVING IT HELP US!!!!!! I NEED MY CAR TO WORK AND I'VE BEEN OUT OF WORK BC I HAVE NO VEHICLE PLEASE HELP... SINCERELY, A SINGLE MOM. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2018Power trainODI 11113240

Structure

31 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2019Suspension, StructureODI 11257671

Service brakes, hydraulic

24 reports3 crashes
“MY TRANSMISSION IS ALSO GIVEN ME ALOT OF PROBLEMS JUST LIKE OTHERS IVE SPOKEN WITH, I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE EXPECTING 2 PUT SOME MONEY IN IT BUT NOT COUNTINUSLY FOR THE SAME MINOR PROBLEMS THE SUV ALSO GOES DEAD AT RED LIGHTS & STOP SIGNS WHY THEY CANT QUIET TELL & IT USES BRAKES LIKES CRAZY SO I WAS TOLD BY THE MEN @ THE SHOP TO WRITE SO THATS WHAT I DID HOPING IT WILL HELP ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS SITUATION! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2012Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10454416
All 2002 Axiom problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Axiom 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Axiom 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
  • Axiom 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Axiom 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Isuzu Axiom as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 4637
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Axiom questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Isuzu Axiom have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Isuzu Axiom problems?

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (35), structure (31), service brakes, hydraulic (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Isuzu Axiom get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Isuzu Axiom at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026