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2009 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

33 reports with mileage · 4 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

8 reports
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100,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019
EnginePower TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING WINDWARD NISSAN (45-568 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KANEOHE, HI 96744, (808) 235-6433) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KING WINDWARD NISSAN (45-568 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KANEOHE, HI 96744, (808) 235-6433) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11194711

105,000 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Power Train

2009 NISAN FRONTIER 114K MILES SAME SINGS AS MANY OTHERS VIBRATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR START HAPPENING IN THE MORNING SPECIAL WINTER PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND NOW HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11132465

113,700 miles · Aug 11, 2017
Power Train

MY 09 NISSAN FRONTIER SE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) GRINDED A BIT WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I NOTICED IT WAS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. SOMETIMES IT WAS LOUDER AND LONGER THAN OTHER TIMES. SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I NOTICED IT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCELERATED SLOWLY WITH THE GAS ONLY SLIGHTLY PRESSED. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL WHEN A…

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MY 09 NISSAN FRONTIER SE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) GRINDED A BIT WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I NOTICED IT WAS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. SOMETIMES IT WAS LOUDER AND LONGER THAN OTHER TIMES. SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I NOTICED IT HAPPENS WHEN I ACCELERATED SLOWLY WITH THE GAS ONLY SLIGHTLY PRESSED. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT ALL WHEN ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, FOR EXAMPLE.I HAD PURCHASED MY FRONTIER AS A USED TRUCK WITH ABOUT 113K MILES ON IT FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN EVERETT, WA AND NOTHING WAS SAID OF ANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES (AS YOU'D EXPECT FROM A DEALER). ONLY ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER AFTER PURCHASING IT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED DOING VERY STRANGE THINGS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY TRUCK WAS SHIFTING LIKE NORMAL. HOWEVER, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN SHIFTING TO THE NEXT GEAR I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD THUMP FROM THE ENGINE, THEN THE TRUCK SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS IN A VERY HIGH GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV VERY LOUDLY WHILE I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, BUT MY TRUCK WASN'T ACCELERATING AT ALL. IT SEEMED LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF MY TRUCK, THEN RESTART T TO DRIVE AGAIN. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED BUT THIS TIME IT WAS AFTER I HAD GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY. IT WOULD HAPPEN AFTER ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING ALL THROUGH EACH GEAR (AROUND THE 4TH/5TH GEAR RANGE). I HAD TO PULL OVER 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE FINALLY GETTING TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11014684

92,000 miles · Oct 18, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY THREE YEARS AGO AND THAT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY THREE YEARS AGO AND THAT THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10916781

121,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Power Train

MY WIFE AND I OWN NISSAN VEHICLES. 2 YEARS AGO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON HER 2005 PATHFINER. IN OCTOBER OF 2015 MY 2009 FRONTIER TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL BECAUSE OF COOLANT MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH NISSAN

NHTSA ODI #10816699

64,000 miles · Jan 12, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AFTER ONLY 64,000 MILES. RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL WHICH IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. QUOTED $4200 IN REPAIRS-THEY WILL NEED TO RE-MANUFACTURE THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE AT VALVE. I REACHED OUT TO NISSAN FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE MATTER SINCE I…

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TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AFTER ONLY 64,000 MILES. RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION OIL WHICH IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. QUOTED $4200 IN REPAIRS-THEY WILL NEED TO RE-MANUFACTURE THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THE AT VALVE. I REACHED OUT TO NISSAN FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE MATTER SINCE I AM JUST OUTSIDE OF THE 5 YR 75,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY (5 MONTHS OVER 5 YRS). THEY ADVISED THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY WILL HELP WITH. WHEN I ASKED IF THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS TO NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT 64K THE REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER SIMPLY STATED HE IS NOT A MECHANIC. AT 40MPH, THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO POWER AND NEEDED TO PULL OVER. THIS PUT MY PROPERTY AND WELL BEING IN SEVERE DANGER. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT THIS MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND NEEDS TO BE HANDLED RESPONSIBLY BY NISSAN. EXTEND MY WARRANTY AND FIX THE TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671927

11,200 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Power Train

CLUTCH FAILURE 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4.0L 6 SPEED MAN TRANS, CREW CAB 4X4. VIN [XXX]. 10,300 MILES CLUTCH FAILED, FLYWHEEL DISTORTION CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DISC AND PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE. REPAIR FAULKNER NISSAN, JENKINGTOWN, PA USA. RETURN CLUTCH PEDAL ZERO RESISTANCE DOWN PEDAL. RETURNED TO DEALER WAS TOLD NORMAL, MILES NOW 11,…

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CLUTCH FAILURE 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4.0L 6 SPEED MAN TRANS, CREW CAB 4X4. VIN [XXX]. 10,300 MILES CLUTCH FAILED, FLYWHEEL DISTORTION CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DISC AND PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE. REPAIR FAULKNER NISSAN, JENKINGTOWN, PA USA. RETURN CLUTCH PEDAL ZERO RESISTANCE DOWN PEDAL. RETURNED TO DEALER WAS TOLD NORMAL, MILES NOW 11,200 CLUTCH CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, SLAVE CYLINDER NOW FAILED (LEAKING). SYSTEM INHERENT DESIGN FLAW. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND CLUTCH SYSTEM SHARE SAME FLUID RESERVOIR. POSS BRAKE FAILURE MAY RESULT. I AM A RETIRED GM MASTER MECHANIC, I POSSES MORE SKILLS ON CAR AND TRUCKS THEN MOST. THIS SYSTEM REALLY REQUIRES REDESIGN POSS CONVERT TO LINKAGE CLUTCH THROW-OUT BEARING SYSTEM AND A MORE HEAVY DUTY FLYWHEEL (NOT DUAL MASS) AND MORE LIKE A STAGE LL OR STAGE LLL COMPETITION CLUTCH CONFIGURATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10339921

10,331 miles · Jun 1, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

WEAK CLUTCH 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4X4 4.0 LITRE, 6 SPEED MAN TRANSMISSION. 10,331 MILES AND CLUTCH SLIPS IN 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH AND LITTLE NO ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE. SLIPS ON SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MANUFACTURER ALWAYS BLAME CUSTOMER'S ON FAULT. TRUCK WAS NOT ABUSED BY ME. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ADMITTING FAILURE. IF YOU SEARCH FOR N…

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WEAK CLUTCH 2009 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4X4 4.0 LITRE, 6 SPEED MAN TRANSMISSION. 10,331 MILES AND CLUTCH SLIPS IN 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH AND LITTLE NO ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE. SLIPS ON SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MANUFACTURER ALWAYS BLAME CUSTOMER'S ON FAULT. TRUCK WAS NOT ABUSED BY ME. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ADMITTING FAILURE. IF YOU SEARCH FOR NISSAN FRONTIER CLUTCH PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET, YOU WILL SEE, THAT THE SAME POWERPLANT BELONGS TO A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND AT 13,000 AND THE 24,000 THIS PERSON HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AS WELL AS SLIPS. 2ND ISSUE, THE BRAKES ASSEMBLED ON MY TRUCK WERE MISSING ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD RETAINER SPRINGS. BRAKES PULL RIGHT AND DAMAGED RT ROTOR. REQUIRED MACHINE SHOP TO REPAIR LATERAL OUT OF ROUND. POSSIBLE CAUSE IS MISSING LOWER RETAINERS SPRINGS AND NOW DEVELOPED INTO STICKING CALIPERS. 3RD ISSUE. RATTLE NOISE FROM SUSPENSION AREA ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES OR MANHOLE LIDS AT SLOW SPEEDS. UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE WITH SUSPENSION BOTH LOADED AND UNLOADED. HAVE USED EVEN RUBBER MALLET TO NO AVAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334158

Official recalls

3

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR 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.

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.