Problems · NHTSA complaints

2002 Isuzu Axiom problems

Owners filed 124 complaints about the 2002 Isuzu Axiom with NHTSA between Apr 2002 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is power train (35).

Complaints
124
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Vehicle speed control5
  11. Air bags5
  12. Steering4
  13. Visibility3
  14. Seat belts3

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20029
200316
200411
200515
20067
20074
20081
20097
201022
201114
20122
20131
20145
20152
20162
20172
20182
20191
20200
20210
20220
20230
20240
20250
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 reports1 related recall
“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

Suspension

22 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 might cause the lower link bracket to detach from the frame. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026SuspensionODI 11764948

Engine and engine cooling

9 reports1 fire
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE RPMS INCREASED WHILE THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CYLINDERS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 3/22/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD SEVERAL FEET, UNTIL THE RPM'S DECREASED AS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SPARK PLUGS. UPDATED 04/27/11”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed controlODI 10382523

Tires

9 reports3 crashes
“DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR ISUZU, THEY CAME AND CHANGED THE TIRE BUT THE SPARE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT ONCE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW TIRE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE IS A ISUZU, AXIOM. *AK THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE NEW SPARE TIRE WHICH HAD A CUT. REFER TO: ODI#10122081 *SC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2005TiresODI 10122081
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

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