NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsClear category filter115,000 miles · Jul 28, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
IN 2009, AT 74,000 MILES, I NOTICED THE CAR "BUCKING" WHEN DRIVING. STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN OFFERED NO HELP OR RECALLS DESPITE THE FACT THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. SHORTLY AFTER MY V…
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IN 2009, AT 74,000 MILES, I NOTICED THE CAR "BUCKING" WHEN DRIVING. STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN OFFERED NO HELP OR RECALLS DESPITE THE FACT THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. SHORTLY AFTER MY VEHICLE PASSED 80,000 MILES, NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL ON ONLY THE RADIATOR WHICH DOESN'T HELP ME. I IMMEDIATELY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO TRY TO AVOID COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, BYPASSING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PART OF THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE DROVE BUT THE TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SLIPPED IN AND OUT OF GEAR AT RANDOM TIMES THROUGHOUT THE NEXT 30,000 MILES. LAST WEEK, THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT WILL COST ME $6,000 TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADMIT THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I LOVE NISSANS (THIS IS MY 3RD) BUT AFTER THIS PROBLEM I MAY NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468101
75,000 miles · Jul 25, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITH EXTREME HESITATION AND THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITH EXTREME HESITATION AND THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467599
92,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE I-95-N NEAR EXIT 7 AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A CRACK(FAULT )IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY UNIT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WHILE LOSING SPEED, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. EVENTUALLY, AFTER COASTING DOWN HILL TO AN INTERSEC…
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I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE I-95-N NEAR EXIT 7 AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A CRACK(FAULT )IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY UNIT. AS I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WHILE LOSING SPEED, I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. EVENTUALLY, AFTER COASTING DOWN HILL TO AN INTERSECTION OF CENTER OF NEW ENGLAND/ NEW LONDON TURNPIKE, HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE VEHICLE WITH HELP FROM OTHER PERSONS TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION. NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON RADIATOR ASSEMBLY UNIT TO 8YR/80,000. I HAVE 6YRS+/92000, TOOK EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED TO PAY $6,500.00 TO FIX VEHICLE (WHILE I STILL OWE $12,000.00). SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED (IF NOT ALREADY) AND /OR THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE OFFERED FOR AT LEAST 120,000 MILES. WHAT A POOR ATTEMPT TO COVER UP AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW, WHILE TRYING TO HIDE FROM THEIR OBVIOUS LIABILITIES FOR THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #10466082
140,000 miles · Jun 8, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10461023
88,000 miles · May 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR CRACK AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458011
96,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WITH CROSS CONTAMINATION INTO THE RADIATOR AT 96,000 MILES. THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF RADIATORS FAILING FROM THE INSIDE, LEAKING COOLANT, THUS RUINING THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN EXTENDED RADIATOR WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT MOST FAILURE IS BETWEEN 80K-120K. I HAD RADIATOR REPLACED…
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RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WITH CROSS CONTAMINATION INTO THE RADIATOR AT 96,000 MILES. THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT OF RADIATORS FAILING FROM THE INSIDE, LEAKING COOLANT, THUS RUINING THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN EXTENDED RADIATOR WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT MOST FAILURE IS BETWEEN 80K-120K. I HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND A TRANSMISSION FLUSH FOR $900. I FEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS RUINED. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ALL OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM RATHER THAN IGNORING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457942
48,000 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER.WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE WAS CRACKED. TH VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED.THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER.WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE WAS CRACKED. TH VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED.THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #10456311
88,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND MY TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKED INTO MY RADIATOR CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TOTALLY REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND I HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BUT IT STILL DAMAGED MY TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE ERROR BUT NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE IT HAD OVER 80,000 MILES. I HAVE THREE NISSAN IN OUR FA…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND MY TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKED INTO MY RADIATOR CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TOTALLY REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND I HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BUT IT STILL DAMAGED MY TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE ERROR BUT NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE IT HAD OVER 80,000 MILES. I HAVE THREE NISSAN IN OUR FAMILY BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER. I ALSO AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER CONTROLS IN BOTH MY 2005 AND 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THE CONTROL QUIT WORKING IN BOTH!!!! SO DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456260
99,300 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR APPEARED TO STAY IN LOW GEAR. TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FOR $5,000! I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON GOOD FAITH KNOWING NISSAN IS A QUALITY PRODUCT AND THIS IS NOW HAPPENING. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH A LE…
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I BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR APPEARED TO STAY IN LOW GEAR. TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FOR $5,000! I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON GOOD FAITH KNOWING NISSAN IS A QUALITY PRODUCT AND THIS IS NOW HAPPENING. NISSAN APPARENTLY KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH A LEAK STARTING IN THE RADIATOR, AND LEAKING FLUIDS INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE RADIATOR TILL 80,000 MILES KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER DOING RESEARCH EVERYONE HAVING THE PROBLEM IS OVER 80,000 MILES! NISSAN WILL NOT DO A RECALL! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. I PAID VERY GOOD MONEY FOR THIS CAR, AND NOW HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $5,000 TO REPAIR, WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE, SINCE THEY DO NOT APPARENTLY CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456118
115,000 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. TOOK OFF OUT OF PARKING GARAGE, CAR LOST POWER (WOULDN'T ACCELERATE) AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER CODE THEY WERE RECEIVING FROM THE CAR WAS A MANUFACTURER CODE AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOL…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. TOOK OFF OUT OF PARKING GARAGE, CAR LOST POWER (WOULDN'T ACCELERATE) AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO INDEPENDENT SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE COMPUTER CODE THEY WERE RECEIVING FROM THE CAR WAS A MANUFACTURER CODE AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO MIX, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. RECOMMENDED REPAIR WAS REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WITH AN ESTIMATE OF $5,200. I BOUGHT CAR AT 48,000 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS A NISSAN-CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS INCLUDING REPLACING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AS WELL AS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR HAD 115,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND I CONTACTED NISSAN TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIRS BUT WAS DENIED ANY HELP. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455829
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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
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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