TRANSMISSION FAILURE RELATED TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR OIL COOLANT ASSEMBLE. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE COMPLETE COST OF THIS KNOW DEFECT. *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
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILURE RELATED TO COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR OIL COOLANT ASSEMBLE. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING VERY BAD WHEN IT HIT 1700 RPM RANGE WHILE DRIVING, SO I SLOWED DOWN...SCARED. I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED ONLY TO FIND OUT IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS TRUCK - FLUID IN TRANSMISSION CAUSED FROM THE TRANS FLUID RUNNING THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND THE HEAT EXCHANGE LEAKS WATER INTO THE TRANS FLUID. THIS …
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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING VERY BAD WHEN IT HIT 1700 RPM RANGE WHILE DRIVING, SO I SLOWED DOWN...SCARED. I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED ONLY TO FIND OUT IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS TRUCK - FLUID IN TRANSMISSION CAUSED FROM THE TRANS FLUID RUNNING THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND THE HEAT EXCHANGE LEAKS WATER INTO THE TRANS FLUID. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM I LEARNED. THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY NISSAN AND IS A 5000 DOLLAR REPAIR AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP, A TOTAL TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED. *TR
AT 45MPH THE TRUCK STARTED JERKING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. WHEN I GOT IT TO MY MECHANIC WE FOUND RADIATOR COOLANT HAD CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
2 MONTHS AGO I HAD A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND I FIXED IT. THEN AFTER THAT I START HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPEED DOES NOT CHANGE IMMEDIATELY AND WHEN IT CHANGE YOU FEEL LIKE SOME HAS PUSHED YOU FROM THE BACK. AND NOW THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR
THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2013 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE SHUDDERING VIBRATIONS LIKE THE ONES YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH THOSE HIGHWAY STRIPS. I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO EAT THINKING IT PROBABLY WAS A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. 3RD WEEK OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTED …
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THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2013 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE SHUDDERING VIBRATIONS LIKE THE ONES YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH THOSE HIGHWAY STRIPS. I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO EAT THINKING IT PROBABLY WAS A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. 3RD WEEK OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTED SLIPPING. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSES THE SLIP AND THERE IT WAS. HUNDREDS OF NOT JUST 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS BUT ALSO XTERRA'S AND PATHFINDER OWNERS FROM 2005-2010 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.INTERNET SEARCHES CAME OUT THAT AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AT AVERAGE ABOUT 90-100T MILES, RADIATOR COOLANT MIXES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE A CRACK INSIDE THE RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION BECOMES CONTAMINATED AND EVENTUALLY FAILS. AFTER FINDING OUT THE SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION I EXAMINED MY TRUCK'S RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND FOUND OUT THAT INDEED TRANSMISSION OIL AND COOLANT HAD MIXED. I IMMEDIATELY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION THINKING THAT THIS COULD STILL SAVE THE TRANSMISSION. A WEEK AGO WHILE AT A STOP, WITH THE TRUCK ON DRIVE AND RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I HEARD A BIG BANG AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND FELT A VIOLENT SHAKE AND THEN THE TRUCK JERKED FORWARD AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR HOME.I CANNOT USE THE TRUCK NOW OUT OF FEAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SUDDENLY FAIL WHILE I'M DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AND CAUSE OR BE IN AN ACCIDENT. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT WHEN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS FAILED, THEIR VEHICLES SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 100000 MILES WITH A $3000 CO-PAY. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSED BY A RUPTURED SEAL IN THE RADIATOR. *TR
AFTER BUYING THE TRUCK FROM A DEALERSHIP, I WAS DRIVING HOME. I GOT ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO WHO CONFIRMED WHAT I WAS AFRAID OF. THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE SUBMITTED IT TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT I HAD PURCHASED A WARRANTY F…
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AFTER BUYING THE TRUCK FROM A DEALERSHIP, I WAS DRIVING HOME. I GOT ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO WHO CONFIRMED WHAT I WAS AFRAID OF. THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE SUBMITTED IT TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY THAT I HAD PURCHASED A WARRANTY FROM WHEN I BOUGHT THE TRUCK ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT SINCE THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN UNCOVERED PART(OIL COOLER) THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND SEEING AS MANY CLAIMS OF THIS ISSUE HOW HAS NISSAN NOT RECALLED THE TRANSMISSION? IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS NORMALLY DOES NOT NORMALLY HAPPEN UNTIL AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ENDS. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I AM LOOKING AT A $6000+ REPAIR BILL, AND UNTIL I CAN COME UP WITH THAT MONEY I HAVE TO LOOK OUTSIDE AT MY $12,000 LAWN ORNAMENT... *TR
AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE I HAD NO PRIOR SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE 4 LANE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45-50 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I THOUGHT I HAD GOTTEN SOME BAD FUEL BECAUSE I HAD JUST FILLED THE FUEL. THE SHAKING SOMEWHAT SMOOTHED OUT AT ABOUT 60 MPH, THOUGH THE TRUCK WAS LACKING …
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AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE I HAD NO PRIOR SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE 4 LANE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 45-50 MPH THE TRUCK BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I THOUGHT I HAD GOTTEN SOME BAD FUEL BECAUSE I HAD JUST FILLED THE FUEL. THE SHAKING SOMEWHAT SMOOTHED OUT AT ABOUT 60 MPH, THOUGH THE TRUCK WAS LACKING NORMAL POWER, AND WOULD SHUDDER WHEN PULLING A GRADE. I DROVE THE TRUCK ABOUT 10 MILES AND STOPPED TO GET SOME FUEL TREATMENT BECAUSE I STILL THOUGHT I WAS HAVING FUEL PROBLEMS. AT THIS POINT THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACT AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL, THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GRAB AND JAR THE TRUCK VIOLENTLY. AT THIS TIME I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND NEARLY HIT. I BARELY GOT THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC. FURTHER INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC SHOWED ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION TOTALLY REBUILT AND REPLACED THE RADIATOR, AT A COST OF ABOUT $4,000. ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, REPLACED FILTER AND FLUID AS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY BECAUSE I PLANNED TO KEEP THE TRUCK FOR LONG TERM. MY TRUCK IS PAST THE WARRANTY SO TOTAL COST IS INCURRED BY ME. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND ALMOST STALLED. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROX. 50MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, THE SES LIGHT AND SLIP LIGHT CAME ON. THIS VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY A RECALL FOR THE ECM THAT CAUSED A SIMILAR ISSUE. THE ECM WAS REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN SERV…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND ALMOST STALLED. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROX. 50MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, THE SES LIGHT AND SLIP LIGHT CAME ON. THIS VEHICLE WAS COVERED BY A RECALL FOR THE ECM THAT CAUSED A SIMILAR ISSUE. THE ECM WAS REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN SERVICE CENTER. THE REPLACEMENT WAS DONE 12/29/10. NOW, IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. A BIT OF RESEARCH SHOWS THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR CAMSHAFT SENSORS THAT CAUSE A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER THAT RECALL, I CAN'T HAVE NISSAN REPLACE THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER THEN STALLS WHILE TRAVELING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 50-60 MPH. THAT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND AFFECT NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT OTHERS. I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD EXPAND THEIR RECALL TO INCLUDE NISSAN FRONTIERS, NOT JUST ALTIMA, ETC. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND THEY HAVE OPENED A CASE FILE #[XXX]. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN OFFERED BY THEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *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.
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