IllustrationCLUTCH BREAK BAND SOLENOID FAILED. LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. $1000 FOR THE PART $400 FOR THE LABOR $100 FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
2005 Nissan Frontier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Frontier years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
5225–50K
9250–75K
12975–100K
156100–150K
32150K+
479 reports with mileage · 53 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 262 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports
Engine complaints
80 reportsTHE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO FALL OUT OF MY TRUCK. $550 FIX. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE FAILURE, CAUSING CROSS CONTAMINATION FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED NISSAN, THROUGH PHONE AND CERTIFIED LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT OF NISSAN. NISSAN WOULD NOT EXCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. MY VEHICLE WAS NON DRIVABLE FOR 6 MONTHS DUE TO THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SE CREW CAB WITH 86,000 MILES FOR $13,300 NOVEMBER 29TH 2013. NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THE RADIATOR COOLED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS VEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS THAT SEEM UNRELATED. ON AUGUST 6TH 2…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SE CREW CAB WITH 86,000 MILES FOR $13,300 NOVEMBER 29TH 2013. NO WARNING OR INDICATION THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THE RADIATOR COOLED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS VEHICLE MAY EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS THAT SEEM UNRELATED. ON AUGUST 6TH 2014 AT 99,978 MILES I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO CHECK OUT THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF SHUDDERING WHILE SHIFTING. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC, CHECKED THE FLUIDS, AND SENSORS. AT THAT TIME THEY ASSESSED IT WAS A DIRTY SENSOR AND SENT ME ON MY WAY, AND FOLLOWED UP AFTER A FEW DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND I BROUGHT IT BACK IN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THERE AND THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS NOW 100,600 MILES. I THEN MADE A CLAIM TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE ISSUE. AT THIS TIME I NOW FOUND ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. FREE UP TO 70K OR 80K AND A CO-PAY AFTER. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS UNTIL NOW. TUESDAY AUGUST 19TH I WAS INFORMED THAT NISSAN WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DIVULGING ANY OF THIS INFORMATION TO ME AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER EVEN THE CO-PAY. IT IS AUGUST 20TH AND MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT THE ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AWAITING THE PARTS TO COME IN TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FOR $5,100 WHICH IS MUCH LESS THAN THE NISSAN QUOTE OF $6,700. I NOW HAVE A TRUCK PURCHASED 9 MONTHS AGO WITH A $5,100 MECHANIC BILL. I HAVE 28 $400 PAYMENTS TO MAKE FOR THE TRUCK IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THE POORLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,677. UPDATED 9/8/14*CN THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 1/13/2015 *JS
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN MY TRUCK FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T GET INTO GEAR. WITH HESITATION, IT FINALLY JUMPED INTO GEAR BUT WAS VERY SLUGGISH WITH HARDLY ANY POWER. IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS WITH A LINE OF VEHICLES BEHIND ME I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY…
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I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN MY TRUCK FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL AND WOULDN'T GET INTO GEAR. WITH HESITATION, IT FINALLY JUMPED INTO GEAR BUT WAS VERY SLUGGISH WITH HARDLY ANY POWER. IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS WITH A LINE OF VEHICLES BEHIND ME I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY 2 MINUTES FROM MY OFFICE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN THE PARKING LOT AND UNLOAD MY TWO CHILDREN AND CALL MY WIFE TO PICK US UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR SIT THERE OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A CRACKED RADIATOR HEAD WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THIS FAILURE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT AND CONFIRMED THE FIRST DIAGNOSIS. THEY SAID UNFORTUNATELY I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE AND TO CALL THE NATIONAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PETITION FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER LOOKING UP ALL THE INFORMATION I FIND IT DISCERNING THAT NISSAN HASN'T DONE THE RIGHT THING AND RECALLED THIS TO MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR HAS CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAS RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPLETE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED A TOTAL COST OF CLOSE TO $5000. *TR
ENGINE DIES WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY ROAD, MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER'S ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS NOT A NEW COMPLAINT, NUMEROUS NISSAN OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (RECALL) IS/WAS SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BUT DOES NOT. NISSAN AND NHTSA HAV…
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ENGINE DIES WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY ROAD, MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER'S ENGINE JUST STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS NOT A NEW COMPLAINT, NUMEROUS NISSAN OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (RECALL) IS/WAS SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BUT DOES NOT. NISSAN AND NHTSA HAVE FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALL. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS EVEN AFTER GOING TO NISSAN AND HAVING THE ECM RELAY WITHIN THE IPDM REPLACED PER THE RECALL. NISSAN AND NHTSA HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY PERMITTING A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE TO BE MASKED BY AN INEFFECTIVE FIX. THERE IS NO DATA AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT NIISSAN'S OR NHTSA'S ASSERTION THAT A FAILED STEERING DIODE WITHIN THE ECM RELAY (LOCATED WITHIN THE IPDM) IS THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED ENGINE STOP RUNNING INCIDENTS. THE REAL FIX, AND THE MORE COSTLY FIX FOR NISSAN, IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM AND POSSIBLY THE IPDM TOO. NISSAN POOLED THE WOOL OVER THE EYES OF NHTSA AND NHTSA WENT ALONG WITH THE MANUFACTURER - BOTH ENTITIES HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER FROM THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I'M LUCKY IN THAT MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS I CAN MORE EASILY MAINTAIN SPEED AND CONTROL IN ORDER TO ROLL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I AM A COMPETENT VEHICLE MECHANIC AND ENGINEER BY EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND I HAVE SPENT UNTOLD HOURS METICULOUSLY TROUBLESHOOTING THIS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, AND AFTER INCORPORATING THE RECALL FIX AND NUMEROUS OTHER FIXES DIRECTLY RELATED, MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE CONTINUES TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. NHTSA NEEDS TO STEP UP IT'S WATCHDOG EFFORTS, RE-OPEN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 AND FORCE NISSAN TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE CONSUMER FROM THIS ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING SAFETY ISSUE. *JS
VIBRATION IN MOTOR LIKE DRIVING OVER GROOVED PAVEMENT - ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR MONTHS BEFORE REALIZING IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN THESE TRUCKS AND SUV'S. I DON'T WANT TO PAY $6,000 TO FIX A DEFECT. THEY SHOULD PAY NO MATTER WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR
RADIATOR LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT/ REPLACE AND RADIATOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 28, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
06V092000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
Mar 30, 2006
ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT DEFORMATION OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY COULD CAUSE THE FUEL FILLER CAP TETHER TO BE STRETCHED TO THE POINT OF UNSCREWING THE FUEL FILLER CAP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CAP TETHER PIN ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.