← New search

2002 Isuzu Axiom

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

89 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

123 reports
158,000 miles · Aug 21, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE SLIPS IN AND OUT OF OVER DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420896

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. MY TRANSMISSION IS HAVING PROBLEMS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE SERVO COVER HAS CAME OFF AND ALL THE FLUID IS LEAKING OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF PEOPLE REPORTING TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS AND FAILURES IN THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. THESE ARE NOT CHEAP REPAIRS. T…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. MY TRANSMISSION IS HAVING PROBLEMS FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE SERVO COVER HAS CAME OFF AND ALL THE FLUID IS LEAKING OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES OF PEOPLE REPORTING TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS AND FAILURES IN THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. THESE ARE NOT CHEAP REPAIRS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419334

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2011
Structure

THE FRAME OF THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT RUST CORROSION. HOLES ARE DEVELOPING IN THE MAIN FRAME DIRECTLY UNDER SUSPENSION AND BODY MOUNTINGS. FRAME REPAIR IS LIKELY MORE THAN MARKET VALUE OF CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10417767

85,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM AS OF APRIL 2009 AND I AM HAVING ALL TYPE OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS:MY GAS METER IS NOT WORKING TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE FIXED THE GAS TANK AND IN ABOUT ONE MONTH IT STOP WORKING AGAIN, THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON,THE IGNITION KEEP OVER TURNING AS YOU TURN ON THE VEHICLE,THE TRUCK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS,THE BRAKES LO…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM AS OF APRIL 2009 AND I AM HAVING ALL TYPE OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS:MY GAS METER IS NOT WORKING TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE FIXED THE GAS TANK AND IN ABOUT ONE MONTH IT STOP WORKING AGAIN, THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON,THE IGNITION KEEP OVER TURNING AS YOU TURN ON THE VEHICLE,THE TRUCK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS,THE BRAKES LOCKS AND MAKE ME SLIDE WHEN STOPPING. THE MECHANIC TRIED TO FIX ALL SAID PROBLEMS AND WITH IN A MONTHS TIME THE PROBLEM COMES BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410168

92,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Structure

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE [XXX], WHICH IS THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR ISUZU IN MY AREA TO HAVE PICTURES TAKEN, AS A RESULT OF MY FRAME BEING ROTTEN AND FALLING UNDER THE RECALL. ON FEBRUARY 10TH THE FIRST PICTURES WERE TAKEN, WE WERE ASKED TO BRING IT BACK TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BECAUSE ISUZU SAID THE PICTURES WERE NOT OF QUALITY, BUT TH…

Read full complaint

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE [XXX], WHICH IS THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR ISUZU IN MY AREA TO HAVE PICTURES TAKEN, AS A RESULT OF MY FRAME BEING ROTTEN AND FALLING UNDER THE RECALL. ON FEBRUARY 10TH THE FIRST PICTURES WERE TAKEN, WE WERE ASKED TO BRING IT BACK TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES BECAUSE ISUZU SAID THE PICTURES WERE NOT OF QUALITY, BUT THE WILLY'S SERVICE PERSON SHOWED THEM TO US AND STATED HIMSELF THAT THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER OVER THREE WEEKS, WE'VE CALLED AND BEEN ABLE TO GET NO INFORMATION FROM OUR CASE WORKER, [XXX]. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE REMAINED IN OUR SPOT IN THE LINE OF RECALLS, SO CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY AFTER 5 DAYS OF HAVING COMPREHENDIBLE PHOTOS, NO INFORMATION CAN BE GIVEN. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10384817

92,000 miles · Feb 27, 2011
Structure

I PURCHASED A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM IN APRIL 2010, HAD IT CHECKED BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC ON FEBRUARY 7TH TO BE TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. WE BROUGHT MY CAR TO CAPITAL LINCOLN MERCURY WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. THEN WE BROUGHT IT TO HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT [XXX] ON FEBRUARY 10TH, WHO …

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM IN APRIL 2010, HAD IT CHECKED BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC ON FEBRUARY 7TH TO BE TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. WE BROUGHT MY CAR TO CAPITAL LINCOLN MERCURY WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. THEN WE BROUGHT IT TO HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT [XXX] ON FEBRUARY 10TH, WHO WE WERE TOLD IS THE ISUZU REPRESENTATIVE IN OUR AREA. WE DIDN'T HEAR BACK FROM EITHER ISUZU OR WILLY'S SO THEN WE CONTACTED THEM AND WERE TOLD THAT THE PICTURES WERE BAD; THIS HAPPENED TWO OTHER TIMES AND WE'VE SPOKEN TO OUR CASE WORKER AT ISUZU ON FRIDAY TO BE TOLD THAT HE COULDN'T TELL US ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE DECISION OR MY CAR WHATSOEVER. [XXX] IS OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER FROM [XXX] AND [XXX]WAS OUR CASE WORKER FROM ISUZU. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF HELP, AS WE HAVE HAD TO INITIATE EVERY SINGLE CONTACT WITH ISUZU AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE. I AM ALSO STILL WITHOUT A VEHICLE, THAT I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE FOR SAFETY REASONS, WITH NO AID FROM ANYONE, IN RESPECT TO A LOANER VEHICLE OR ANY INFORMATION. VIN #- [XXX] MAKE- ISUZU MODEL- AXIOM YEAR- 2002 MILEAGE- 82,661 PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384668

48,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

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 FAIL…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10382523

152,000 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ON JULY 22, 2010, I PURCHASED A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM FOR MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER, FROM ALAM, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF A CARS 4-U, LOCATED ON 3503 HILLCROFT STREET SUITE B, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77057. UPON THE PURCHASE, ALAM, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF A CARS 4-U URGED ME TO PURCHASE A PENN WARRANTY, BUT I COULD NOT, SO HE PURCHASED IT. A COU…

Read full complaint

ON JULY 22, 2010, I PURCHASED A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM FOR MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER, FROM ALAM, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF A CARS 4-U, LOCATED ON 3503 HILLCROFT STREET SUITE B, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77057. UPON THE PURCHASE, ALAM, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF A CARS 4-U URGED ME TO PURCHASE A PENN WARRANTY, BUT I COULD NOT, SO HE PURCHASED IT. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEMS, SHIFTING GEARS, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS, AUTOMATIC DOOR AND WINDOW PROBLEMS ETC. HE TOLD ME TO HAVE MY DAUGHTER BRING IT IN BUT, SHE REFUSED TO BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS HARASSING HER ASKING HER TO GO OUT TO LUNCH WITH HIM, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO HIM AND HE SAID, "THAT'S WHY I TOLD YOU TO PURCHASE A WARRANTY". TWO HOURS LATER, HE TOLD ME THAT THE MECHANICS CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. AS SOON AS I RETURNED HOME,I BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. SO, THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING RACK AND PINION AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I THEN CONTACTED ALAM, THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND TOLD HIM THAT I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS AND TOLD HIM WHAT THEY SAID. HIS RESPONSE WAS, "LET THE WARRANTY TAKE CARE OF IT". ALAM, THE DEALERSHIP TOOK ME TO ANOTHER ONE OF HIS MECHANIC'S THAT WORKED ON ALL OF HIS VEHICLES, WHOSE SHOP LOCATED ON 4208 MANGUM RD. STE.8 CALLED AUTOTECH COLLISION EXECUTIVE AUTO, I TRIED TO WAIT FOR THEM TO TEST DRIVE IT BUT ALAM BEGAN TO ENGAGE IN IMPROPER CONVERSATIONS, AND MAKING IMPROPER BODILY AND HAND GESTERS SO I LEFT. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK LATER, I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE,THEY TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379975

140,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Power Train

ISUZU AXIOM 2002 2WD WITH 141000 MILES. WITH 115000 MILES IN 2007 ALL OF THE SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TORRENTIAL RAIN WITH MY WIFE AND INFANT. WE COULDN'T NAVIGATE CAR TO THE SAFETY AND WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THAT HAPPENED. IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT. I HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I H…

Read full complaint

ISUZU AXIOM 2002 2WD WITH 141000 MILES. WITH 115000 MILES IN 2007 ALL OF THE SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LEFT ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TORRENTIAL RAIN WITH MY WIFE AND INFANT. WE COULDN'T NAVIGATE CAR TO THE SAFETY AND WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN THAT HAPPENED. IT WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT. I HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I HAD INSTALLED NEW TRANSMISSION AS I DIDN'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING SIMILAR. NOW IT FAILED AGAIN. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY SUSPICIOUS ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES. I THINK SOMEBODY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379307

90,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM XS. THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION ON THE PAN THAT HOLDS THE GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC IN JULY 2009 DUE TO CORROSION, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SUPPORT ARM; HOWEVER, THE CORROSION RECURRED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM XS. THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION ON THE PAN THAT HOLDS THE GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC IN JULY 2009 DUE TO CORROSION, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SUPPORT ARM; HOWEVER, THE CORROSION RECURRED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SPRAYED IT WITH A CORROSIVE PREVENTIVE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10374811

Official recalls

4

10V436000 · Suspension:rear

Sep 22, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 WHICH CORROSION HAS DAMAGED THE REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK BRACKET AND AFFECTED ITS CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME, A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED. IN THE RARE EVENT THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKET REMEDY WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, A REPURCHASE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. ALL INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE 10 YEARS OLD OR LESS. FOR VEHICLES OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, ISUZU WILL OFFER A FREE REMEDY, BUT ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN ISUZU SERVICE FACILITY, OR HONDA DEALER (AS APPLICABLE), DEALER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF WHEN OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WERE ISSUED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. ISUZU OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. HONDA OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

05V466000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 7, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: 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 WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL PUMP THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW COVER. THE NEW COVER WILL BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

03V113000 · Structure

Mar 24, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE RESULTS OF THIS TEST INDICATED A POSSIBILITY OF AN INCREASED RISK OF HEAD INJURY IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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 WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

02V213000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-643-4070.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP18001 · Fuel Tank Retention Failure

Opened May 23, 2018 · Closed Mar 5, 2020

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

On April 10, 2018, NHTSA received a petition from Mr. Kevin Byrne (the Petitioner) requesting that the Agency ?undertake a defects investigation? of ?rust-related detachment of Isuzu Rodeo fuel tanks? (NHTSA ID 11091788). The Petitioner experienced a partial fuel tank detachment in his model year (MY) 2004 Isuzu Rodeo in July 2017. On May 23, 2018, ODI opened DP18-001 to evaluate the Petitioner?s request for a defect investigation. ODI sent information request letters to Isuzu and Honda requesting production, design history and field data related to fuel tank retention failures in MY 2001-2004 Isuzu Rodeo, MY 2002-2004 Isuzu Axiom and MY 2001-2002 Honda Passport vehicles equipped with the same fuel tank shield part number as the Petitioner?s vehicle (the ?subject vehicles?). ODI notes that Isuzu manufactured the subject Passport vehicles for Honda. Isuzu implemented a change to the tank shield corrosion protection system as a running change in early MY 2002 production. Isuzu and Honda sold approximately 172,000 subject vehicles in the United States. Fifty-eight (58) percent of the subject vehicles were produced prior to the shield change (99,000) and 42 percent after the change (73,000).ODI?s analysis of field data identified 19 incidents of partial fuel tank detachments in the subject vehicles. The incidents all occurred in states with high road salt usage in winter months (Salt States) and involved older vehicles beyond 10-years in service. On average, the failures occurred in the vehicle?s 13th year-in-service. Evidence of severe general corrosion in multiple undercarriage components was also noted in 13 of the 19 vehicles that experienced partial fuel tank detachments. None of the incidents resulted in fuel leakage or fire. Aside from the petitioner?s vehicle, ODI has not identified any other incidents of complete or partial fuel tank detachment in the MY 2002-2004 subject vehicles equipped with the modified retention shield.In addition, ODI reviewed 24 NHTSA complaints alleging corrosion concerns with the fuel tank retention system in the subject vehicles that did not result in fuel tank detachment. Twenty-three (23) of these complaints involve subject vehicles built prior to the shield change. Like the vehicles reporting fuel tank detachments, these vehicles are also all from Salt States and, in most cases (20 of the 24 complaints), the vehicles also experienced severe corrosion concerns in other undercarriage components. Half (12 of the 24 complaints) of the vehicles show prior accident damage in their service histories.Based on these analyses, ODI has not identified evidence of a defect trend for premature corrosion-related fuel tank detachments in the MY 2004 Isuzu Rodeo or similarly equipped vehicles. The damage that may result in tank retention concerns appears to occur progressively over many years with ample opportunity for detection and repair. Furthermore, ODI has not identified any crashes, fires, injuries, or fuel leaks associated with fuel tank retention failures in a population of vehicles that currently range from 16 to 19 years old.Accordingly, the Agency is denying the petition.A summary of ODI?s analysis of this petition will be published in the Federal Register and is also available in the investigative file for this action.The NHTSA consumer complaints counted in the closing resume for DP18-001 can be reviewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers (VOQs in parentheses denote duplicate records): Allegations of fuel tank retention failure: 11084098 (11091788), 10532845, 10486109. Allegations of fuel tank retention component corrosion: 11138931, 10992150, 10845523,