IsuzuN-Series2002Overview/isuzu/n-series/2002/base/

2002 Isuzu N-Series

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 N-Series.

The 2002 Isuzu N‑Series, identified in its overview with a distinct body style and dedicated platform, is part of a lineup that has generated only three total owner complaints, all centered on the engine and engine cooling area and none involving recalls. Reliability records covering 2001 through 2024 show that the highest single‑year complaint count was one, recorded in 2010, indicating a low frequency of issues for the model as a whole. Accordingly, the 2002 model year falls within this period of minimal complaint activity, suggesting generally solid reliability for that era.

Model year200820072006200520042003200220012000

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Isuzu N‑Series sits in a period of remarkably low federal complaint activity, with zero complaints recorded that year and only a single recall, identical to the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 models. The trend shows a steady, minimal recall count of one through 2009, with a slight uptick to two recalls in 2013 and again in 2022 and 2023. Investigations remained zero through 2009, rose to one in 2012, and increased to two in 2013, indicating a modest rise in scrutiny during the mid‑2010s. The 2002 model’s complaint profile highlights engine cooling and power‑train issues as the only top complaint areas, yet no crash or fire complaints were filed. Given the consistent, low volume of federal complaints and recalls, the 2002 year falls near the baseline of the generation’s safety record, suggesting it is a reasonably reliable choice for a used purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling2
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
WB11-X-001A2023-10-18Engine And Engine CoolingThe following information is provided to clearly explain Isuzu’s policy for control…
IB13-R-001G2023-05-08Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin outlines the procedures for using the Alpine Exchange Program (the…
WB13-X-001B2022-08-30EquipmentIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
WB13-X-001A2022-08-02EquipmentIsuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. (ICTA) is providing the following procedural…
IB09-X-002B2022-07-20EquipmentThe following is a list of the Isuzu-recommended Threebond product part numbers…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific N-Series. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2002 N-Series have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.