NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Isuzu Axiom Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Isuzu Axiom has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 17 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Isuzu dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Isuzu Axiom, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Isuzu Axiom owner complaints

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Isuzu Axiom, describing incidents dated June 6, 2004 to June 1, 2015.

Most-cited components

Engine 13 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Of the 17 complaints on file, 2 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10821287 · Filed January 20, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BLOCKING TRAFFIC. SHOP ULTIMATELY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE BOLT HOLDING THE CRANKSHAFT SHEARED OFF, DESTROYING AN ENGINE HEAD IN THE PROCESS. THIS SHOP SPECIALIZES IN WORKING WITH JAPANESE ENGINES AND SAID…
ODI #10726979 · Filed June 23, 2015
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…
ODI #10703438 · Filed April 2, 2015
CAR WAS DIAGNOSED CODE P0602 ECM PROGRAMMING ERROR. VEHICLE DIED IN HWY IN MINUTES, ALL LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME "ON" CHECK ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, REDUCED POWER AND CAR IS DEAD. THANKS GOD NO CARS AROUND ME ON BUSY HWY. PAID $$$$ FOR TOWING. *TR

Read all 17 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Isuzu Axiom in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP18-001: Fuel Tank Retention Failure
Closed March 5, 2020

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Rear Suspension Corrosion

NHTSA #13V547000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2013 · Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America

Potentially affected: 8,816 vehicles

Repair completion: 18.54% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Isuzu campaign DET-13-173 · Owners notified December 13, 2013

Defect description

Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Rodeo and Axiom, and 2003 Rodeo Sport vehicles that were originally sold in, or are currently registered in, 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, Kentucky and Missouri. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion near the forward mounting point bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link.

Safety consequence

The corrosion may allow the bracket to detach from the frame, impacting vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Isuzu will notify owners, and 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 event the corrosion is so severe that the reinforcement bracket remedy would not be sufficient, Isuzu will offer to repurchase the vehicle for an amount based on the Kelley Blue Book "Private Party" price. 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 dealer within 12 months of when owner notifications were issued, after that time owners will be charged for the repairs. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2013. Isuzu owners may contact Isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL PUMP

NHTSA #05V466000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2005 · ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA

Potentially affected: 15,515 vehicles

Owners notified November 25, 2005 · Vehicles built November 1, 2001 – June 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2004 Isuzu Axiom 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

17 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Isuzu Axiom.

Engine

ODI #10821287

Incident: October 23, 2013 · Filed: January 20, 2016

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BLOCKING TRAFFIC. SHOP ULTIMATELY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE BOLT HOLDING THE CRANKSHAFT SHEARED OFF, DESTROYING AN ENGINE HEAD IN THE PROCESS. THIS SHOP SPECIALIZES IN WORKING WITH JAPANESE ENGINES AND SAID "THERE ARE REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY" WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. SHOP SAID THE BOLT ISN'T OF HIGH ENOUGH QUALITY TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM USE AND NOW RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE BOLT EVERY 80,000 MILES. TOTAL REPAIR COST MORE THAN $2000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10726979

Incident: June 1, 2015 · Filed: June 23, 2015

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. NOW I AM SURE THAT I HAVE FUEL PUMP LEAKING I FOUND OUT THIS 2004 ISUZU AXIOM RECALL: SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 05V466000 REPORT DATE: OCT 07, 2005COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 15515 MANUFACTURER: ISUZU MANUFACTURING SERVICES OF AMERICA SUMMARY: 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 FUEL SYSTEM. CONSEQUENCE: A FUEL LEAK COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE I REALLY WANT TO AVOID POSSIBLE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND GET MY CAR FIXED. PLEASE ADVISE

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10703438

Incident: March 16, 2015 · Filed: April 2, 2015

CAR WAS DIAGNOSED CODE P0602 ECM PROGRAMMING ERROR. VEHICLE DIED IN HWY IN MINUTES, ALL LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME "ON" CHECK ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, REDUCED POWER AND CAR IS DEAD. THANKS GOD NO CARS AROUND ME ON BUSY HWY. PAID $$$$ FOR TOWING. *TR

Service Brakes; Engine

ODI #10678425

Crash

Incident: January 22, 2015 · Filed: January 22, 2015

THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND THE BRAKE HAD BEEN APPLIED. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE CAR SPED UP HITTING THE MAIN SUPPORT FOR THE HOUSE AND DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10554576

Incident: November 26, 2013 · Filed: December 3, 2013

PCM OR POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE ERROR. OBD2 CODE P0602. AS A RESULT WAS SHUT OFF VEHICLE'S ALL POWER, ALL DASH LIGHT ICONS WERE ON SUDDENLY. FIRST ABS AND THEN AIR BAG, BRAKE, BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE ETC. VEHICLE WAS DIED IN SECONDS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY HIGHWAY I-80!! IT WAS HORRIBLE. NO PROBLEM WAS OCCURRED BEFORE. ISUZU COMPANY HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. FULL MAINTENANCE FOR THIS CAR WAS PERFORMED ON TIME AS REQUIRED VIA ISUZU AXIOM MANUAL. I HAVE ALL RECORDS. SEVERAL MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT ALL ISUZUS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10384424

Incident: September 1, 2009 · Filed: February 24, 2011

ABOUT 1 1/2 YRS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON IN MY 04 AXIOM. I TOOK TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS MISFIRING. I HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. WE THEN REPLACED 2 OF THE COILS, THEN THE SPARK PLUGS AGAIN, WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, RESULTING IN SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS FOR ACCIDENTS. THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS I HAVE ALSO FOUND OIL SPOTS BEHIND MY EXHAUST WHEN THE VEHICLE IDLES, AND I GO THROUGH ALMOST 3 QTS OF OIL A WEEK! THE ENGINE HAS BEEN KNOCKING FOR WELL OVER A YEAR, AND WHILE I'VE HAD 4 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT , NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TO LET THE VEHICLE RUN FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING TO TRY AND AVOID THE ENGINE STALLING, AND I STILL HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH NO APPARENT END IN SIGHT. IF I WASN'T UPSIDE DOWN ON THE LOAN I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF IT BY NOW. I HAVE FOUND MANY ARTICLES ONLINE REGARDING THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE STALLING PROBLEMS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

Structure; Equipment

ODI #10359264

Incident: October 5, 2004 · Filed: October 5, 2010

WHY WERE THE LAST TWO YEARS OF PRODUCTION(2003-2004) OF THESE VEHICLES NOT RECALLED TO BE TREATED TO SLOW RUSTING COMPONENTS IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE/FRAME ON ALL ISUZU RODEOS, HONDA PASSPORTS AND ISUZU AXIOMS. ALTHOUGH A LIMITED PRODUCTION, THE FINAL TWO YEARS ARE STILL GOING TO FAIL FROM SALT/CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004. IT WAS ADVERTISED AS BEING FROM NORTH CAROLINA. I LATER DISCOVERED THE OWNER ALSO LIVED AND USED THE VEHICLE FOR MOST OF IT'S ROAD USE IN NEW YORK AND MASSACHSETTS. IT TOO HAS HAD A LARGE DOSE OF ROAD CHEMICALS. THE RECALL CURRENTLY CALLS FOR ISUZU TO INSPECT AND APPLY A RUST PREVENTIVE COATING TO SLOW/DELAY CORROSION THAT WILL CAUSE THE FRAME TO FAIL. WHY NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THESE FRAMES IN THE SAFETY RECALL? THE EXISTING ISUZU DEALER NETWORK IS EXITING THE AUTOMOTIVE MARKET. IF THE LAST TWO PRODUCTION YEARS FAIL IN A YEAR OR TWO, THERE WILL NOT BE A DEALER NETWORK THAT WILL SERVICE AN ISUZU PRODUCT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10336137

Incident: June 1, 2009 · Filed: June 14, 2010

I HAVE A 2004 AXIOM PURCHASED FROM HANCOCK ISUZU IN COLUMBIA SC AND APP. 1 YEAR AGO MY VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I GO TO PULL OFF THE TACHOMETER JUMPS TO 3 OR 4 RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. FINALLY,IT WILL GET GAS AND SUDDENLY TAKE OFF. IT FEELS THAT THE GAS IS NOT GETTING TO THE ENGINE OR EITHER THE TRANSMISSION IS STICKING. IT DOES THIS ON OCCASIONS, BUT WHO KNOW WHEN IT WILL DO IT NEXT. MY FEAR IS IT WILL DO IT WHEN I PULL OUT ON A BUSY ROAD AND NOT TAKE OFF IN TIME AND THEN ANOTHER CAR WILL HIT ME. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF NOT FIXED. I SEE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS TOO AND I THINK ISUZU SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE IT GETS FIXED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10336133

Incident: June 1, 2010 · Filed: June 14, 2010

AT 66000 MILES ON MY 2004 ISUZU AXIOM, I STARTED HEARING A NOISE THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY HEARD A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THERE WASN'T A DROP OF OIL IN THE CAR. I WAS STILL 1500 MILES AWAY FROM AN OIL CHANGE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED--NOT A DROP OF OIL IN THE CAR WITH A 1000 MILES OR MORE FROM AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY FIX IS A NEW ENGINE. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER IN AUGUSTA GEORGIA. I LIVE IN COLUMBIA SC AND THAT IS THE CLOSET PLACE I COULD TAKE IT TO HAVE WARRANTY WORK DONE. WHEN IT GOT THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND SAID, YOU NEED A NEW ENGINE--I AM GOING TO ORDER IT AND IT WILL BE HERE IN A WEEK OR SO. A FEW DAYS LATER HE CALLED BACK AND SAID ISUZU WOULDN'T SEND AN ENGINE WITHOUT DOING AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. CLEARLY THE CAR IS BURNING OIL BECAUSE THERE IS NO LEAK. WHEY SHOULD I HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AFTER TWO MECHANICS HAVE SAID--YOU NEED AN ENGINE IN THE CAR. WHY CAN'T ISUZU STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS AND WARRANTY AGREEMENTS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE PUT IN THE CAR. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BURNING OIL? *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10327331

Incident: August 1, 2005 · Filed: April 25, 2010

THE ENGINE MAKES "CLACKING" TYPE SOUND WHEN STARTED AND CONTINUES FOR ABOUT 3-4 MINUTES. ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARM THE CLACKING STOPS. I'VE COMPLAINED TWICE ABOUT THIS NOISE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD ENGINE IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. OIL IS NORMAL. IT'S MADE THIS SOUND SINCE WE DROVE IT OFF THE LOT NEW. EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR DEALER THINKS THIS IS NOT NORMAL! EVERYONE TELLS ME TO CHECK MY OIL EVERYTIME I START UP AND THEY HEAR THE NOISE. HAVE THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS FOR 4004 ISUZU AXIOM? *TR

Other Isuzu Axiom model years

Check your 2004 Isuzu Axiom VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Isuzu Axiom at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check an Isuzu VIN