Model year guide

2004 Isuzu Axiom

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Isuzu Axiom is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2004 Isuzu Axiom — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Isuzu Axiom at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints17
Combined17–18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2004 Isuzu Axiom recalls 2

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #13V547000 · manufacturer #DET-13-173 · 31/10/2013

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,…

Fix: 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 aff…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #05V466000 · 07/10/2005

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.

Fix: 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 DIF…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2004 Isuzu Axiom common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2004 Isuzu Axiom safety ratings

Side crash★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side barrier test — 2004 Isuzu Axiom 4-DR.Side barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Isuzu Axiom 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Isuzu Axiom MPG & running costs

Combined17–18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,825
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Isuzu Axiom costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,125
Fuel only$19,125
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Fuel Tank Retention Failure Closed

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 defe…

NHTSA #DP18001 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened May 2018 · closed Mar 2020

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 15

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 15.

This bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the "Exchange Program"). The Exchange Program must be used when any Alpine radio or other component covered by this bulletin is repaired under warranty and may also be used for radio…

Bulletin IB13-R-001G · May 2023

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001B · Equipment · Aug 2022

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural recommendations to improve dealer efficiency when submitting Parts Warranty claims. We strongly recommend dealers follow these procedures in order to avoid delays in Parts War…

Bulletin WB13-X-001A · Equipment · Aug 2022

The following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers identified in the various Isuzu Workshop Manuals and bulletins. If a Threebond product is unavailable, we recommend that you utilize the chart below to find equivalent of similar p…

Bulletin IB09-X-002B · Equipment · Jul 2022

The Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) Service Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides diagnostic support to Isuzu dealer technicians repairing Isuzu vehicles in and out of vehicle warranty. A TAC case number will be issued solely for information trac…

Bulletin IB09-X-004C · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2022

ISUZU: DUE TO A LATE CHANGE TO ECU CALIBRATION, A SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR MY 2004 RODEO AND AXIOM REGARDING THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM READINESS. *PE

Bulletin TSB-11-03-S001 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2011

REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *KB

Bulletin 0709002 · Service Brakes, Air · Jul 2007

FUEL INJECTION CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR 3.5L DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE. *TT

Bulletin 0502001 · Fuel System, Other · Aug 2005

SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES. *TT 2002-2004 ISUZU AXIOM (UP), 198-2004 RODEO (UE) AND 1998-2004 RODEO SPORT. UPDATE *SC

Bulletin 0505004 · Power Train · May 2005

IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM OVERVIEW. *TT

Bulletin 0404S002 · Electrical System · Jun 2004

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the AXIOM. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Isuzu Axiom

The Isuzu Axiom is a mid-size SUV introduced by Isuzu in 2001 for the 2002 model year. The Axiom is derived from the Isuzu Rodeo and was intended to be Isuzu's response to the popularity of car-based SUVs, such as the Toyota Highlander, replacing the Trooper as Isuzu's flagship vehicle in the United States.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2004 Isuzu Axiom trims & engines on record

Trims
S
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl

2004 Isuzu Axiom vehicles on record

Other Isuzu Axiom model years

2004 Isuzu Axiom — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Isuzu Axiom have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Isuzu Axiom. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Isuzu Axiom?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, engine, electrical system.

What is the 2004 Isuzu Axiom safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Isuzu Axiom crash-test ratings of side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Isuzu Axiom get?

The 2004 Isuzu Axiom has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.