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2008 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

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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

59 reports with mileage · 19 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 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 21 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 →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

8 reports
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219,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Power Train

VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE LANE OF I-95 NORTH. ENGINE REVOLUTIONS JUMPED TO RED ZONE BUT NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. HAD TO COAST, IN LIGHT TRAFFIC, TO EDGE OF ROADWAY MERGE LANE. ENGINE THEN DIED. ENGINE RE-STARTED ABOUT 35 MINUTES LATER AND TRAVELED TO US HWY 1 WHEN SAME THING HAPPENED. VEHICLE DIED IN OUTER LANE…

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VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE LANE OF I-95 NORTH. ENGINE REVOLUTIONS JUMPED TO RED ZONE BUT NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. HAD TO COAST, IN LIGHT TRAFFIC, TO EDGE OF ROADWAY MERGE LANE. ENGINE THEN DIED. ENGINE RE-STARTED ABOUT 35 MINUTES LATER AND TRAVELED TO US HWY 1 WHEN SAME THING HAPPENED. VEHICLE DIED IN OUTER LANE. STATE POLICE ARRIVED AND ASSISTED IN PUSHING VEHICLE TO BUSINESS SHOULDER/DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE.

NHTSA ODI #11282875

11,500 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Power Train

HAVE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA AND JUST FOUND OUT I NEED A TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 2YRS ..DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WHEN HE SOLD TO ME HAD I KNOWN NISSAN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL I WOULD NEVER HAD PURCHASE IT...I NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSON AND FOR 3700 DOLLARS I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD RPLACE IT AT NO COS…

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HAVE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA AND JUST FOUND OUT I NEED A TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 2YRS ..DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WHEN HE SOLD TO ME HAD I KNOWN NISSAN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL I WOULD NEVER HAD PURCHASE IT...I NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSON AND FOR 3700 DOLLARS I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD RPLACE IT AT NO COST TO ME SINCE IT SEEMS THAT THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WITH ALL THERE MODELS NOT JUST MINE...IT JUST CRAP THAT IM STUCK TRYING TO FIX IT...NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE THIS PROBLEM OR RATHER FIX THIS ISSUE THAT IS SO COMMON IN THERE VECHICLE THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE ...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER CAUSE IT WOULDNT SHIFT AND THERE IT WAS A BIG HEFT BILL TO TELL ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME NISSAN ARE KNOWN FOR BAD TRANSMISSION...NOT WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR...

NHTSA ODI #11162962

89,000 miles · Jul 25, 2017
Power TrainCrash

I LEFT THE IGNITION ON AND IT RAN THE BATTERY WENT DOWN , WHEN I REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD WE CHARGED THE BATTERY NEXT DAY I GOT IN TO DRIVE THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WAS LIKE IN 1ST GEAR OF THE 6 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION , I WAS OUT OF STATE AND FOUND A DEALERSHIP IT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO REPLACE IT, BUT THEY DID GIVE ME A REN…

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I LEFT THE IGNITION ON AND IT RAN THE BATTERY WENT DOWN , WHEN I REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD WE CHARGED THE BATTERY NEXT DAY I GOT IN TO DRIVE THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WAS LIKE IN 1ST GEAR OF THE 6 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION , I WAS OUT OF STATE AND FOUND A DEALERSHIP IT TOOK THEM A WEEK TO REPLACE IT, BUT THEY DID GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR THE CAR HAD 58,000 THOUSAND MILES ON IT, IT HAS 89,000 NOW , GOT IN THE CAR THIS WEEK TO GO TO A FUNERAL AND MY REMOTE WOULDNT WORK , SO I ACCIDENTLY LEFT THE CAR IN REVERSE , WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR , THE CAR NEVER MOVED WHEN I GOT IN GARAGE I SEEN THE CAR MOVING, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR WASNT MOVING WHEN I GOT OUT OF IT , HIT THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO IT!!

NHTSA ODI #11010533

113,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Power TrainCrash

ON FEBRUARY 17, 2015, MY DAUGHTER DROVE INTO A 3' DITCH WITH ABOUT 4" OF STANDING WATER WITH ALGEA STANDING ON TOP OF THE WATER. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS DAMAGED AND HAD THE OIL LEVELS CHECKED AS WELL AND WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2500 MILES. IN MAY 2015 I CHOSE TO…

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ON FEBRUARY 17, 2015, MY DAUGHTER DROVE INTO A 3' DITCH WITH ABOUT 4" OF STANDING WATER WITH ALGEA STANDING ON TOP OF THE WATER. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC TO SEE IF ANYTHING WAS DAMAGED AND HAD THE OIL LEVELS CHECKED AS WELL AND WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2500 MILES. IN MAY 2015 I CHOSE TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED , FRONT BUMPER ETC. AFTER THE BODYSHOP FINISHED WITH THE CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET BY NISSAN. WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 500 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED. I WAS INFORMED BY MY TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAD THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED BACK TO NISSAN FOR REPAIR ON JULY 27, 2015 AND 10 -15 DAYS LATER I WAS CALLED AND ASKED IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WRECKED. NISSAN WARRANTY DENIED THE CLAIM BASED ON THE OPINION THE THE CAR WAS FLOODED. THE TRANSMISSION OILS WERE CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGED. NISSAN WARRANTY REFERRED ME BACK TO FARM BUREAU TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM BASED ON THE CAR WAS FLOODED IN THE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2015. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REMOVED AND BRIANS TRANSMISSION FOUND THE BELT INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION HAD BROKEN AND COME APART. I WENT BACK TO NISSAN AND REQUESTED THAT A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE COME AND REVIEW THE TRANSMISSION IN ITS CURRENT STATE AND TO REOPEN THE WARRANTY CLAIM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE NOT CHANGING THEIR MINDS THIS WAS A CLOSED ISSUE. CURRENTLY I AM UNCERTAIN WHAT WILL BE MY NEXT MOVE. I REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO NISSAN WARRANTY BUT WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN CORPORATION THAT NISSAN WARRANTY DOES NOT SPEAK TO INDIVIDUALS. NISSAN CORP. DID REFER ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SAY THAT DEACON JONES NISSAN WOULD HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO INITIATE THE REQUEST AND THEY INFORMED ME THIS AFTERNOON THAT THEY WOULD PAY UP TO $500.00 FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10780193

60,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CRANK AND CAM SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10569361

124,000 miles · Aug 9, 2012
Power TrainSeat Belts

TRANSMISSION JERKING

NHTSA ODI #10470042

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2008
Power Train

I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN REVERSE AND MOVED FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO BACK IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS ONLY THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ENOUGH TO HIT MY FENCE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THE SENT A TOW TRUCK AND TOWE…

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I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN REVERSE AND MOVED FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO BACK IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS ONLY THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ENOUGH TO HIT MY FENCE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THE SENT A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALL AND SAID THE CAR DID IN FACT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A NEW CAR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OLD WITH MAYBE 5,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252900

55,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Power Train

WHEN I SHIFT THE GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND VICE VERSA - I CAN HEAR THE CLIKING AS IT SHIFT S AND JERKS AS IT DOES IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237925

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

PE08045 · Transmission Hose Leak

Opened Jul 23, 2008 · Closed Oct 24, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.