Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Isuzu Axiom, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 22 | 18% |
| Structure | 22 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 9% |
| Suspension | 7 | 6% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 ILLU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 DR
NHTSA complaint: Power 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 MEC
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 WA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Power 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 MANUFA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Isuzu Axiom. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 WH
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
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,
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 WHI
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
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 WI
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 22 of them (18%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.