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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 →
532Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
124
200277
200366
2004532
2005617
2006520
2007136
2008
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
262Fuel System, Gasoline
119Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
80Electrical System
38
All reported categories
Fuel/propulsion System
25Fuel System, Other
18Structure
17Vehicle Speed Control
15Air Bags
14Unknown Or Other
14Steering
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Suspension
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Tires
3Equipment
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Parking Brake
1Seats
1

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.

9 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

532 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2010
SuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE UNEXPECTANTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LOWER BACK INJURY. ANOTHER PASSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE UNEXPECTANTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LOWER BACK INJURY. ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED SHALLOW CUTS TO THE ARMS, FACE AND CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10E019000, SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM AND STATED SHE BELIEVED THE RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE OFFICIAL RECALL LETTER WITH HER VEHICLE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10352140

74,400 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE GAUGE WOULD NOT MOVE FROM EMPTY DESPITE THE LEVEL OF GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE GAUGE WOULD NOT MOVE FROM EMPTY DESPITE THE LEVEL OF GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,960.

NHTSA ODI #10351433

38,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

REGARDLESS OF MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER (38000 MILES) SHOWS LESS THAN EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350659

42,820 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Fuel System, Other

P0463 PROBLEMS WITH MY FUEL GAUGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350563

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E019000 (SUSPENSION:…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E019000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/23/10

NHTSA ODI #10348291

80,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

SERVICE ENG LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO HIGH FUEL SENSOR. ALSO FUEL GAUGE GOES TO LESS THAN E AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348248

43,200 miles · Aug 8, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 MODEL GIVES A INCORRECT READING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS EMISSION IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAPERWORK TO GET REGISTRATION AND TAGS. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF BUT IT TAKES DAYS MAYBE WEEKS. AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEE…

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THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 MODEL GIVES A INCORRECT READING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS EMISSION IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAPERWORK TO GET REGISTRATION AND TAGS. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF BUT IT TAKES DAYS MAYBE WEEKS. AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP UP WITH HOW MUCH FUEL IS INSIDE THE TANK IS TO TRY TO KEEP UP THE HOW MANY MILES YOU HAVE DRIVEN. HOW CAN YOU HAVE A RECALL ON 2006 MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ON 2005. IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY NISSAN REGARDLESS OF WHAT MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348008

64,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED. THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10347183

47,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR EXHIBITED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED FLUID LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR WAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $6,000. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10346824

63,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IPDM BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE IPDM BOARD HIMSELF. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,500.

NHTSA ODI #10346736

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.