Isuzu Axiom Reviews

2002 Isuzu Axiom 6 cylinder from North America

Model year	2002
Year of manufacture	2002
First year of ownership	2006
Most recent year of ownership	2009
Engine and transmission	6 cylinder Automatic
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	1 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Dealer Service marks	3 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	2 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	4.2 / 10
Distance when acquired	20000 miles
Most recent distance	100000 miles
Previous car	Ford Tempo

Summary:

Good looker, horrible reliability

Faults:

Transmission blew at 70,000 miles.

Frame rotted out at 100,000 miles.

General Comments:

The car is very unique to look at and has a strong engine, although it gets bad gas mileage. About 17 MPG.

Anyone have any comments or advice on the rotting frame? The rear axle stabilizer arm pulled off the fame and exposed significant damage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th September, 2009

2002 Isuzu Axiom from North America

Model year	2002
Year of manufacture	2001
First year of ownership	2001
Most recent year of ownership	2009
Engine and transmission	Automatic
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	5 / 10
Dealer Service marks	4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	4 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	5.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	15 miles
Most recent distance	99000 miles
Previous car	Toyota Rav4

Summary:

Great SUV for the money... all things considered

Faults:

Had the CD player malfunction in the first 4 weeks.

A/C compressor went bad after 70K.

General Comments:

Honestly for the money, the 2002 Axiom has been a great buy. I purchased it the first year it came out. I tow a boat and was looking for something with enough power, yet small enough for my wife to maneuver easily. After a ton of research it came down to the Jeep Cherokee and Isuzu Axiom... after all the recalls I saw on various Jeep forums, I went with the Axiom.

It's been a great 8 years and 99000 miles. I can tow and its very reliable. The paint job still looks fantastic, and I live in Florida where salt air and sun usually fade a vehicle.

Considering how rough I treat it, I'm very happy. My only knock is that it has fantastic pickup, but it's because it gets horrible gas mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th February, 2009

2002 Isuzu Axiom from North America

Model year	2002
Year of manufacture	2002
First year of ownership	2005
Most recent year of ownership	2008
Engine and transmission	Don't Know
Performance marks	0 / 10
Reliability marks	0 / 10
Comfort marks	0 / 10
Dealer Service marks	0 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	0 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	0.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	40003 miles
Most recent distance	80000 miles

Summary:

This car is just one expensive problem, one after another

Faults:

Two wheel bearings had to be replaced. The first was under warranty, the second we had to pay for. At 70,000 miles. The transmission went costing us $2000. We have been having trouble with the axle. There is a snap ring that holds the axle which keeps breaking. Now we had to buy a new axle. Our mechanic discovered that the pin bearing in which the axle goes through is completely gone, wondering if there was ever one there in the first place.

General Comments:

This car is a disaster waiting to happen.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th August, 2008

15th Dec 2008, 12:58

If only I had a way to warn anyone considering one of these SUV's I would. I bought this 02 Axiom with very low miles and in good condition back in 04. But like so many others that I have read about, it seems this things transmission is a joke. Mine went out around 89K and cost me $2000 to fix. You see, the warranty does not transfer unless you buy it directly from an immediate family member. Isuzu couldn't explain why they would not honor it as it is still an Isuzu, just purchased through a dealer?? My brakes have always "screamed" despite having good wear left on them. I can't rid of the thing and am overwhelmed with knowing that I have to keep it until it's paid off due to the horrible resale value on it!!!

1st Feb 2009, 19:03

Are the transmissions that different on the Axiom versus the Trooper? My Trooper has been flawless with regular oil & transmission fluid changes, but these reviews about transmission problems are scaring me enough to consider trading in my Trooper for a 4Runner. Is the Axiom a 4 speed automatic like the Trooper?

12th Feb 2009, 19:07

To the Trooper guy, they are both 4 speed manuals, but the Axiom uses the dreaded Rodeo's 4 speed auto, and the Trooper uses a different transmission, both are made by GM I believe. Both the Rodeo and Trooper share the same 3.2 V6, which might have the same transmission. Check to see if your transmission has a dipstick for the transmission fluid

4th Oct 2010, 08:42

Just bought my Isuzu Axion 2002 two months ago now and the problems I have are that the fuel gauge is not accurate. The gears are taking so long to select and transmission fluid is coming out.

What do I do to solve the problems?