NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
123 reports165,941 miles · Sep 24, 2019
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR LOWER AXLE BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND AXLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR LOWER AXLE BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND AXLE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,941.
NHTSA ODI #11257671
121,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Power Train
MY 2002 ISUZU AXIOM TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WITHIN A WEEK I WAS AT A STOP SIGN I WENT TO TAKE OFF AND MY CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE IT WENT IN REVERSE BUT NOT FORWARD IF I HIT 'WINTER MODE' IT WILL BYPASS FIRST GEAR AND DRIVE IN SECOND AND THIRD BUT NOT IN FIRST.... ONCE I COME TO A STOP IT COMES OUT OF WINTER MODE AND THEN I HAVE…
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MY 2002 ISUZU AXIOM TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WITHIN A WEEK I WAS AT A STOP SIGN I WENT TO TAKE OFF AND MY CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE IT WENT IN REVERSE BUT NOT FORWARD IF I HIT 'WINTER MODE' IT WILL BYPASS FIRST GEAR AND DRIVE IN SECOND AND THIRD BUT NOT IN FIRST.... ONCE I COME TO A STOP IT COMES OUT OF WINTER MODE AND THEN I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND PUT IT IN WINTER MODE ALL OVER AGAIN..... THIS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED FREE OF CHARGE...... THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION.. IT'S NOT FAIR TO CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THIS SUV AND THESE COMMON ISSUES HAPPEN AND WHERE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT... NOT FAIR MY SUV IS NOW JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THEY DON'T MAKE THESE TRANSMISSIONS OR PARTS FOR THEM I'VE GONE TO ADVANCED I'VE LOOKED ONLINE IT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION PLUS LABOR OR THE SIMPLE FIX IS A SOLENOID BUT GUESS WHAT YOU CANT FIND THE PART.... WE SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE PLEASE HELP US FIX OUR SUV I LOVE MY SUV AND MISS DRIVING IT HELP US!!!!!! I NEED MY CAR TO WORK AND I'VE BEEN OUT OF WORK BC I HAVE NO VEHICLE PLEASE HELP... SINCERELY, A SINGLE MOM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11113240
47,000 miles · Apr 16, 2018
Power Train
MY 2002 ISUZU AXIOM HAS 47,000 GENTLE MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. WITHIN A WEEK OF THAT STARTING IT COMPLETELY STOPPED SHIFTING OUT OF 1ST GEAR. THIS IS A COMMONLY REPORTED ISSUE AND FROM WHAT MY MECHANIC HAS SAID 'IT'S JUST A POOR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. '
NHTSA ODI #11088455
102,001 miles · Apr 14, 2017
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENSOR, AND BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENSOR, AND BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,001.
NHTSA ODI #10978544
130,000 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE ACCELETATING FROM A STOP AND DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. WHILE ACCELETATING FROM A STOP AND DRIVING UP A SMALL INCLINE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS THE CONTACT WANTED A SECOND OPINION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10956311
85,000 miles · Sep 2, 2016
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM WITH 84,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MANY, MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO MENTION OTHER ISSUES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, STARTER FAILING TO START RIGHT…
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I HAVE A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM WITH 84,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MANY, MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT TO MENTION OTHER ISSUES WITH THE POWER WINDOWS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, STARTER FAILING TO START RIGHT AWAY
NHTSA ODI #10903256
114,000 miles · May 25, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN THE REAR. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 4/5/2017 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10870787
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2015
Suspension
2002 ISUZU AXIOM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRAME CONNECTION TO THE REAR DRIVE RUSTED OFF AND CONSUMER STATES UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE WITH NEGOTIATING VEHICLE FAIR MARKET VALUE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FIXED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10715863
106,330 miles · Jan 28, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ISUZU AXIOM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,330. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN
NHTSA ODI #10679439
71,038 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Electrical System
THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH...THE SWITCH IS BROKEN IT HAVE FORE PLAY BACK N FORTH...WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN RUNNING YOU CAN FOREPLAY WITH THE KEY BACK N FORTH...WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT....THE KEY CAN BE TURN TO POSITION 3 THE RADIO AND WINDOWS AND DON'T COMES ON....BUT TURN THE KEY BACK BETWEEN 2 POSITION THE ENGIN…
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THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH...THE SWITCH IS BROKEN IT HAVE FORE PLAY BACK N FORTH...WHILE THE TRUCK IS IN RUNNING YOU CAN FOREPLAY WITH THE KEY BACK N FORTH...WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT....THE KEY CAN BE TURN TO POSITION 3 THE RADIO AND WINDOWS AND DON'T COMES ON....BUT TURN THE KEY BACK BETWEEN 2 POSITION THE ENGINE STILLS RUN AND THE RADIO COMES ON AND THE WINDOWS AND HEAT COMES ON.........IT HAVE A HEAVY HIT IN THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN IT GOES IN POTHOLES ARE OVER A BUMP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660475
Official recalls
4Sep 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.
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.
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).
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
1DP18001 · 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,
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