Isuzu Axiom Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 157 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Isuzu Axiom (2002–2004) that have at least 5 complaints. 2002 has the most, with 124. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (41 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Axiom model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 17 | 60,000 | 2 | 12 | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 16 | 104,500 | 3 | 10 | — | Falling |
| 2002 | 124 | 80,000 | 4 | 7 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain41 22%
- Body and structure34 19%
- Brakes32 17%
- Suspension23 13%
- Engine cooling20 11%
- Fuel system16 8.7%
- Electrical system9 4.9%
- Tires8 4.4%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2003: “Driving in a large parking lot, hit a large cement pole doing 20 miles per hour.air bags did not deploy. Had not put my seat belt on yet & hit & shattered the windshield knocking out all of my front upper teeth. Fractured maxilla .why did air bags not deploy?”
NHTSA complaint #11325218, filed 2020-05, 180,000 miles2004: “I own 2004 Isuzu Axiom 3.5l with 94,000 plus miles. On 6/01/15 I was driving my vehicle and I noticed that the car seemed like it had to heavy. The vehicle starts and runs but very low power. There is a 'reduced power warning on the dashboard . I checked it over and noticed that the gasoline tank is wet with fuel coming out from the top of tank in the fuel pump area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10726979, filed 2015-06, 94,248 miles2002: “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. '”
NHTSA complaint #11088455, filed 2018-04, 47,000 milesOther Isuzu models
2,476 complaintsIsuzu Trooper
573 complaintsIsuzu Ascender
205 complaintsIsuzu Amigo
179 complaintsIsuzu Hombre
122 complaintsIsuzu Rodeo Sport
106 complaintsIsuzu Vehicross
68 complaintsIsuzu Pickup Truck
56 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology