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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

186 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK. AFTER FUELING, THE WARNING LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND DON'T GO OFF AND IT'S A BIG INCONVENIENCE FOR AS DRIVING AN NOT KNOWING IF YOUR GOING TO RUN OUT OF GAS. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NISSAN PRODUCTS SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO MANY PROBLEMS GOING ON WITH THIS PA…

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THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK. AFTER FUELING, THE WARNING LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND DON'T GO OFF AND IT'S A BIG INCONVENIENCE FOR AS DRIVING AN NOT KNOWING IF YOUR GOING TO RUN OUT OF GAS. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NISSAN PRODUCTS SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO MANY PROBLEMS GOING ON WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND CANNOT GET ANYBODY HELP FOR MISTAKES THEY MADE. THE WHOLE VEHICLE NEED TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE TRYING TO REPLACED ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOW OF ALL THE PROBLEMS BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433748

70,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING,RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DAMAGING TRANSMISSION,FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT GETTING STUCK. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429637

40,000 miles · Sep 23, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. AND STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF WHEN IN PARK. FAN STARTING WHEN KEY IS TURNED BUT NOT CRANKED. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKING ME OUT FROM STARTING THE TRUCK. 70000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT ST…

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AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. AND STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF WHEN IN PARK. FAN STARTING WHEN KEY IS TURNED BUT NOT CRANKED. ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKING ME OUT FROM STARTING THE TRUCK. 70000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. TOOK IT TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE ON THEIR PART. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ECU, BMU,TMU, AND IPDM WERE ALL BAD. I REPLACED THE IPDM AND BMU AND ECU. TRUCK STILL RAN ROUGH. AT 91000 MILES NISSAN NOW SAYS MY TRANSMISSION IS BAD DUE TO THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION BUT I AM OUT OF THE 80000 MILE WARRANTY. NISSAN SAID THEY WILL PAY HALF TO FIX IF I PAY HALF OF THE $4600 TRANSMISSION REPAIR. NISSAN CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS HAPPENED BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A BIG COMPLAINT OF THE 2005 PATHFINDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426965

52,000 miles · Sep 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A FLAW AND THEY WILL ONLY FLUSH YOUR TRANSMISSION, JUST TO PUT IT OFF UNTIL YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. I STARTED TAKING MY NISSAN IN AT 52,000MILES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING AND THEY COULDN'T F…

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RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A FLAW AND THEY WILL ONLY FLUSH YOUR TRANSMISSION, JUST TO PUT IT OFF UNTIL YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. I STARTED TAKING MY NISSAN IN AT 52,000MILES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THAT THEY ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. NOW I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. NISSAN ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEY FUEL GAGE, SOMETIMES IT SHOWS GAS LEVELS, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS 3 TIMES NOW, ON THE HIGHWAY! AGAIN, NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, THEY EVEN SENT AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY" TO COVER THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY. BUT, ONLY IF YOU ARE UNDER A CERTAIN MILEAGE. AND THEY DIDN'T SEND ME THE NOTICE UNTIL I WAS UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT BY 300 MILES! PLEASE HELP!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426617

115,000 miles · Sep 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

FIRST TIME- TRANSMISSION FAILED- NEW ONE INSTALLED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY- HAS GONE BAD AGAIN LAST WEEK- THEY TELL ME THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS RUINED IT, THE GAS TANK NEEDS REPLACING, NEW RADIATOR, NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NEW U-JOINTS FOR THE SECOND TIME. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED- THEY ARE …

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FIRST TIME- TRANSMISSION FAILED- NEW ONE INSTALLED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY- HAS GONE BAD AGAIN LAST WEEK- THEY TELL ME THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS RUINED IT, THE GAS TANK NEEDS REPLACING, NEW RADIATOR, NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, NEW U-JOINTS FOR THE SECOND TIME. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED- THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED $8000.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THAT IS MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH WITH 155,000 MILES ON IT!!! PLEASE HELP. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10426274

95,000 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED AND WOULD NOT REGISTER THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE FUEL TANK WOULD READ FULL WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY OR LOW ON FUEL. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED AND WOULD NOT REGISTER THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE FUEL TANK WOULD READ FULL WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY OR LOW ON FUEL. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,034. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422816

60,900 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ACTUATOR OF THE ANTI-SKID ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ACTUATOR OF THE ANTI-SKID ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,900. UPDATED 10/5/11 *CN ALSO, THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/04/11

NHTSA ODI #10413988

86,000 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL OR MORE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INACCURATELY READ THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL OR MORE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INACCURATELY READ THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10413079

90,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

RADIATOR DEVELOPED INTERNAL CRACK LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED AT 70,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10412868

75,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARM OF THE FUEL SENSOR WAS FRACTURED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARM OF THE FUEL SENSOR WAS FRACTURED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 106,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 04/30/12

NHTSA ODI #10412014

Official recalls

2

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.

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.