IllustrationCAR WOULD NOT START, GOT IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, RADIATOR ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONTAINMENT THE TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. JOB WILL COST $5346.74. *TR
2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pathfinder years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder 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
260–25K
5625–50K
20650–75K
29075–100K
318100–150K
60150K+
956 reports with mileage · 94 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 585 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 186 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION COOLER OF THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DISENGAGED; RPMS WENT UP TO 5000; WAS LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT A SHOULDER OR SAFE AREA TO STOP. STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE KNOWN ISSUE'FOR A…
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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DISENGAGED; RPMS WENT UP TO 5000; WAS LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT A SHOULDER OR SAFE AREA TO STOP. STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ADVISED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE KNOWN ISSUE'FOR A LONG TIME AND THAT THE RADIATOR PART THAT COOLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FAILED AND RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS KNOWN ISSUE, WAS NEVER A RECALL AND NISSAN HAD NO INTENTIONS ON A RECALL DUE TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. UNFORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS OVER THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT MILEAGE AND THEREFORE NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY; LEAVING STRICT INSTRUCTIONS' TO NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS TO SPECIFICALLY NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS AFFECTED BY THIS KNOWN ISSUE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT ADVISED THAT NISSAN HAD FIXED' THE KNOWN ISSUE ON A NEWER MODEL OF RADIATOR. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE PRODUCT FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION AND REPLACED ALL PARTS KNOWN TO FAIL. TOTAL ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP STARTED AROUND $8000 AND NEGOTIATED TO $5000. SEVERAL PRIVATE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP ESTIMATES ARE APPROX. $4000. MOST PRIVATE AUTO SHOPS WILL NOT TOUCH THIS REPAIR DUE TO THE KNOWN ISSUE' AND NO CONFIDENCE THAT NISSAN FIXED THE KNOWN ISSUE'. REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION WITH AN EYE TOWARDS SAFETY RECALL & REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *TR
JUST OVER A YEAR AGO OUR 2005 PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO NISSAN INSTALLING A FAULTY RADIATOR IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS MADE. DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF GETTING IT FIXED, IT STILL SETS IN THE GARAGE WAITING TO SAVE UP THE MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE. OVER THE YEAR, NISSAN HAS ADMITTED IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT INSTEAD OF FIXING …
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JUST OVER A YEAR AGO OUR 2005 PATHFINDER'S TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO NISSAN INSTALLING A FAULTY RADIATOR IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS MADE. DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF GETTING IT FIXED, IT STILL SETS IN THE GARAGE WAITING TO SAVE UP THE MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE. OVER THE YEAR, NISSAN HAS ADMITTED IT WAS A PROBLEM BUT INSTEAD OF FIXING IT, THEY SAY THEY WILL COVER IT IF THE VEHICLE HAS LOW MILLAGE. THE RADIATOR PROBLEM IS NOT MILLAGE DEPENDANT. WE DROVE OUR PATHFINDER AND IT WAS BEYOND THE MILLAGE THEY WOULD COVER. SO I GUESS I AM BEING PENALIZED BY NISSAN FOR DRIVING THE PATHFINDER. I JUST WISH NISSAN WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
RADIATOR CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED ON HIGHWAY. NO WARNING SIGNS. VEHICLE WAS REVVING BUT NOT MOVING. DEALER SAYS INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. SPECIALTY SHOP SAYS RADIATOR IS CRACKED. PHOTOS AND PARTS AVAILAB…
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RADIATOR CRACKED ALLOWING COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED ON HIGHWAY. NO WARNING SIGNS. VEHICLE WAS REVVING BUT NOT MOVING. DEALER SAYS INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. SPECIALTY SHOP SAYS RADIATOR IS CRACKED. PHOTOS AND PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE MOVED LESS THAN 5 M.P.H. THIS CONTINUED ALL THE WAY TO CHURCH ON MARCH 10TH, 2013. I DROVE TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSI…
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I WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE MOVED LESS THAN 5 M.P.H. THIS CONTINUED ALL THE WAY TO CHURCH ON MARCH 10TH, 2013. I DROVE TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND 2 DAYS LATER THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE. THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CROSS CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED THE VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE NISSAN DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR AND VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT MY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED BECAUSE I WAS OVER 100,000 MILES AND MY VEHICLE IS AT 104,000. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE RADIATOR IS DEFECTIVE BUT SINCE I CAUGHT IT EARLY THE TRANSMISSION WASN'T TOTALLY DAMAGED JUST PARTIALLY DAMAGED SAVING ME MORE MONEY. HOWEVER, MY REPAIR BILL WAS $2,999.94!! EVEN THE MECHANICS AT NISSAN TOLD ME THAT THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE (OFF THE RECORD) AND NISSAN SHOULD COVER THE REPAIR!! THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF! IT EFFECTS 2005 THRU 2010 PATHFINDER, XTERRA AND FRONTIER VEHICLES. NISSAN IS VOLUNTARILY OFFERING TO CO-PAY FOR REPAIRS IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES BECAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT IS STILL PENDING IN COURT. THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURS AFTER 100,000 MILES LEAVING MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS ON THE HOOK FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT!! PLEASE HELP US RECOVER THE COST OF THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR?? PLEASE!!!! *TR
NOTICED MY TRUCK HESITATING AT ABOUT 40MPH TOOK IN TO HAVE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE BOTH FAILING DUE TO A BROKEN LINE BETWEEN THE TWO WHICH CAUSED THE FLUIDS FROM THE TWO PARTS TO MIX AND CAUSE THE FAILURE. THEN THE GOOD NEWS HAHA THE COST WOULD BE $6,000.00. I THEN CAME TO READ THAT THIS IS A PRO…
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NOTICED MY TRUCK HESITATING AT ABOUT 40MPH TOOK IN TO HAVE CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE BOTH FAILING DUE TO A BROKEN LINE BETWEEN THE TWO WHICH CAUSED THE FLUIDS FROM THE TWO PARTS TO MIX AND CAUSE THE FAILURE. THEN THE GOOD NEWS HAHA THE COST WOULD BE $6,000.00. I THEN CAME TO READ THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BY THE NISSAN CORP.
I WAS LEAVING AN APPOINTMENT AT THE HOSPITAL AND AS I APPROACHED A SPEED BUMP I HEARD A LOUD DROP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE UPON PRESSING THE GAS. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND IT WENT INTO GEAR HOWEVER I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELLERATE O…
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I WAS LEAVING AN APPOINTMENT AT THE HOSPITAL AND AS I APPROACHED A SPEED BUMP I HEARD A LOUD DROP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE UPON PRESSING THE GAS. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND IT WENT INTO GEAR HOWEVER I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELLERATE OVER 40MPH AND HEADED STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP. I RECEIVED A CALL ON FROM THE DEALER DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET, SUDDENLY CAR STOPPED DRIVING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. IT SEEMS THERE IS A COOLANT LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER NISSAN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY ALLOWS UP TO 100000 MILES OR 10 YEARS WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. SINCE MY MILEAGE IS OVER THAT, NISSAN WILL NOT COVER…
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WHILE DRIVING IN MIDDLE OF THE STREET, SUDDENLY CAR STOPPED DRIVING. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. IT SEEMS THERE IS A COOLANT LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER NISSAN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY ALLOWS UP TO 100000 MILES OR 10 YEARS WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. SINCE MY MILEAGE IS OVER THAT, NISSAN WILL NOT COVER ANY REPAIRS. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKS, ALLOWING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX, LEADING TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. NISSAN DEALER IS AWARE OF THE INCIDENT AND OFFER A $2500 DEDUCTIBLE, THIS IS NOT A FAIR DEDUCTIBLE AND NISSAN IS NOT PLAYING A FAIR GAME. *TR
Official recalls
210V517000 · 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.
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.