11th May 2007, 22:08
The Axiom seems to be well-designed, but it is like any other odd model in that it will have strange little issues and parts may be harder to find. That's just a trade-off for driving something so delightfully unique. To the commentor who said that BMWs are just overpriced and unreliable: whatever. Mine has been the best car I have ever had and people tend to buy Mercedes as status symbols. I've been driving a Honda Passport, aka Isuzu Rodeo, for work and I have been impressed with the engineering, even though there are some quirks.
23rd Jan 2008, 10:29
Yup, the transmission is a HUGE problem right around the 60K mile mark. The Axiom is the Yugo of SUV's.
24th Apr 2008, 11:02
I had the same problem with my car freezing up, but it was under warranty. It happened three time before they figured out that one of the wires was getting grounded.
I just fixed the clutch on my tranny, but besides that you will be happy with the car.
After you fix it it will last a long time.
2nd Nov 2008, 09:53
I purchased my 2002 Isuzu Axiom Jan. 2008. I have been very happy with this vehicle. It is fully loaded and the only problem that I had was the fuel sensor giving a false fuel reading. After I purchased the vehicle, I had my vehicle inspected even though the dealer said the inspection was good. It was sold as is, but I used this to my advantage as a warranty. It did not pass. Check your state laws. No dealer can sell a vehicle without it passing an emissions inspection. My best advice to give people is to take a good mechanic with you on your test drives. If the engine light is on during your test drive, most mechanics will just reset it. The majority of the time the light will come back on a few days later after the purchase.
Have an emissions check done. Paying 25 dollars can save you 465 dollars as it did me. Wait a few days and go back to test drive it again. Or see if you can keep the car over the weekend or over night.
I am a ex-mechanic and I test drove this car on the highway during the day, on streets, over railroad tracks, and high speed turns for handling.
I have a tow package. Towing power is incredible. Pulling hills just press the power button and it will cruise up the hill at the same speed.
Out of ten, I rate the Axiom an 8.5...
20th Nov 2008, 20:47
I just purchased a 02 Axiom two months ago, and the transmission went up on me today. The vehicle appeared to be in excellent condition, the Carfax even said it was a one owner car
The dealer I bought from said it had a 10yr/ 100000 mile warranty, but after taking it to the only Isuzu service center left in MD today, I learned that after the first owner the warranty drops to 5 years/60000 miles. WOW! Now I am stuck with a truck that does not run and I just paid $8000.00 CASH! Anyone know where I can get a cheap tranny?
17th Sep 2009, 16:12
I purchased an 02 Axiom in September of 2001, right off the new dealer lot. Since then I've driven it 86k miles and aside from oil changes, brakes and tires... I've spent a total of $144.00 on repairs.
My Axiom is, by far, the best vehicle I have ever owned and I plan to drive it for another couple of years.
I do fear that I'll be unable to get warranty work done when/if needed in the future. The closest dealer to me is an hour away and I worry about their future.
30th Dec 2009, 20:31
I too have an 02 Isuzu Axiom and it did run well for a few years, but now the transmission has gone out, the fuel gauge doesn't work and it will cost around 4500.00 to repair! That is over half the value of the car. I'm not sure what I'm going to do just yet. I have read that this is fairly common with this car, I would have purchased something else, but hind sight is 20/20. I wish these comments were here years ago too.
19th Nov 2010, 08:48
I bought a new 2002 Axiom on November of 2001. But after 60K miles, the transmission started slipping, and with 72K it was replaced under the warranty (75K).
Now my car has 131K, and the transmission is slipping again. I replaced the tires very recently, and I would like to keep the car if I could find some way of fixing the transmission without having to change it. Any hopes?
Some time ago, I saw on the web a guy saying that the transmission could be fixed by adjusting it thru the car's computer. Could it be true?
3rd Feb 2011, 18:22
I owned a 2002 Isuzu Axiom for almost 3 years. WHAT A HUNK OF JUNK! Since the day I drove it home, I had nothing but problems. It doesn't even have a place you can check the transmission fluid. I had the transmission rebuilt THREE times, and it has never been right. What a waste of money, and it's a gas hog! I actually had to take out a loan to pay it off, and get something else because the transmission just skips second gear. The trade in value on it is garbage.
I will admit I didn't check the Car Fax. I was 21 when I bought it, and it was the first car I bought from a dealership. My first car was an 94 Plymouth Acclaim that I paid $150 and drove for 4 years. That was a better car than the Isuzu. I will never buy an Isuzu or an automatic again. I just purchased a 2007 Honda Fit speed manual, and I'm in love.
19th May 2011, 14:38
If you noticed the people that have had problems with this car, purchased it used? Does that tell you something. A friend of mine once said that when you buy a used a car, you are buying someone else's problems. You also noticed that the people on here that have no problems, are the ones that purchased the vehicle when it was brand new, and are the only owners of the vehicle.
27th May 2011, 00:28
I have a 2002 Axiom. I bought it in 05, and it has been a great car. I keep the oil changed with synthetic oil. And as of now I only needed to replace the brakes. I love my car and love the unique look! I hope to drive it for at least 5 more years. I do take it in for required upkeep. And knock on wood, I will not have any major problems. It has been a great rig for me!!!
7th Oct 2013, 16:46
I have a 2002 Axiom. It has been a wonderful car and never fails us when our newer vehicles have. It is built like a tank and never gets stuck in the snow here in the Midwest. Love it, wish they still made them. I heard the MDX has the same engine? Anyone know?
1st May 2016, 06:48
Thanks a lot for giving me an idea about the Isuzu Axiom. My friend want to sell a used one to me. I love the structure of the car, but am afraid if it's a problematic car; that's why I was going through peoples' comments about the car. I can see it's those people that bought it new that enjoyed it for a period of time.
1st May 2016, 14:30
That advice about buying someone else's problems when buying a used car is obsolete in a time when cars now regularly make it to 150K-200K miles without needing major repairs. Even new cars can have problems, but the one thing they will all have is depreciation.
31st Dec 2006, 13:16
We bought or axiom new in 2002. Being that it was the first year in production we had no idea what to expect performance or maintenance wise. Its been four years 60,000 miles later and it has been the best most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. I am a Super Duty Ford Guy myself, but my wife and I both agree her axiom is fantastic! I would, and have recommended axioms to friends and family who are also pleased with their purchase.