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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 →
1,050Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
156
2002110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
2008
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
585Engine And Engine Cooling
290Fuel System, Gasoline
186Engine
144Electrical System
66
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
61Unknown Or Other
40Fuel/propulsion System
31Vehicle Speed Control
31Air Bags
22Structure
14Equipment
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Steering
9Suspension
9Service Brakes
7Visibility
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Tires
3Seat Belts
2Seats
2Wheels
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Service Brakes, Electric
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

40 reports
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100,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

AS I WAS DRIVING AND LEAVING THE PARKING LOT ON TO A BUSY INTERSECTION MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS. THANKFULLY THE CARS BEHIND ME WEREN'T GOING TO FAST SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME FINALLY AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH. THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR CAR INTO AAMCO AND THEY TOLD US IT THE ENGINE CO…

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AS I WAS DRIVING AND LEAVING THE PARKING LOT ON TO A BUSY INTERSECTION MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS. THANKFULLY THE CARS BEHIND ME WEREN'T GOING TO FAST SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME FINALLY AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH. THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR CAR INTO AAMCO AND THEY TOLD US IT THE ENGINE COOLANT HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND REALIZED WHAT HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE HAS HAPPENED TO ME. NISSAN WANTS ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR DEALERSHIP AND PAY $125.00 FOR AN ESTIMATE. I EXPLAINED AAMCO DID THE ESTIMATE FOR FREE BUT NISSAN DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE SINCE JULY. $3500.00 FOR REPAIRS IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT THIS TIME. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. BUT I DID RECEIVE MY MAIL WHEN THEY KNEW I WAS DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. MY CAR IS A 2005 AND I HAVE 100,055 MILES. PAYMENTS WERE MADE ON TIME ALWAYS FOR THIS CAR AND I PAID IT IN OFF IN FULL IN 2010. THE LEAST NISSAN CAN DO IS TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10764034

99,500 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICCLE HAS TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR PROBLEM AS DIAGNOISED BY THE NISSAN DEALER TECHNICIA. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS MODELS AND THEY HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS IT IS ORIGINATED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING PROCESS. ITS A PRODUCTION DEFECT AND NISSAN HAS TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10760298

115,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSIAN PATHFINDER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SMOKING AND I HAD A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. IT WAS A TANNISH COLOR AND MILKY LOOKING. WHEN TOWED TO NISSIAN THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED IT WAS THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10725423

124,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION FAILURE BECAUSE OF RADIATOR BLOWING OUT AND LETTING ANTIFREEZE MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID

NHTSA ODI #10721248

122,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other

NISSAN 112 REPORT (DATED 4/20/15) CUSTOMER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AT 40 AND 60 MPH IT IS CHUGGING AND HOLDING BACK DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS A TRANS AND RAD. THERE IS COOLANT INSIDE OF THE TRANS AND THERE IS TRANS FLUID IN THE RAD. THEY NEED TO REPL. RAD AND TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH OUT SYSTEM - EST. ON …

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NISSAN 112 REPORT (DATED 4/20/15) CUSTOMER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AT 40 AND 60 MPH IT IS CHUGGING AND HOLDING BACK DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS A TRANS AND RAD. THERE IS COOLANT INSIDE OF THE TRANS AND THERE IS TRANS FLUID IN THE RAD. THEY NEED TO REPL. RAD AND TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH OUT SYSTEM - EST. ON REPAIRS WOULD BE ABOUT $5500 TO $6000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10711933

124,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TIMING CHAIN NOISE. I'LL STOP BY THE MECHANICS SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS IS THE PROBLEM NISSAN HAS A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10706093

112,000 miles · Mar 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

ON 03/5/15 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT WAS GETTING INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS CAUSING A LEAK IN MY TRUCK. I WAS ASKED IF I SAW ANY LEAKS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH I DID NOT. I WAS SHOWN THE RADIATOR COVER WHICH HAD WHITE FOAM ON IT. I DID NOT HAVE $6000.00 TO FIX MY TRUCK…

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ON 03/5/15 I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT WAS GETTING INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS CAUSING A LEAK IN MY TRUCK. I WAS ASKED IF I SAW ANY LEAKS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH I DID NOT. I WAS SHOWN THE RADIATOR COVER WHICH HAD WHITE FOAM ON IT. I DID NOT HAVE $6000.00 TO FIX MY TRUCK. I WAS TOLD IN ABOUT A MONTH THE TRANSMISSION WOULD CAUSE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEIR WAS A RECALL WHICH I HAD PASSED THE MILEAGE POINT. I WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER TO CONTACT CORPORATE WHICH I DID. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE. NOW MY TRUCK IS DEALER KEPT. THEY SAW WERE I WAS AT THE DEALER UP NORTH AND DID A FULL DIAGNOSTIC AND NUMEROUS REPAIRS ON 03/3/14, 3/4/14, 3/10/14, 4/22/14 & 5/5/14. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM CORPORATE WITHIN TWO DAY INFORMING ME THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I DID NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK FROM THAT DAY. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT FOR A SECOND OPINION SO ON 03/10/15 ON MY WAY TO A SERVICE STATION MY TRUCK STARTED TO OVER HEAT ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKING. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THAT IS WERE THE TRUCK IS TO THIS DAY. IF NISSAN KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WHY DID THEY NOT NOTIFY CONSUMERS SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A MECHANIC DO A BYPASS BEFORE THIS OCCUR. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO ALOT OF CONSUMERS AFTER THE CUT OFF OF THE CAUSING THE SHORT CIRCUIT, TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IS INSIDE 100,000 MILEAGE. THE LAWSUIT ONLY COVERED UP TO 100,000? WHAT ABOUT THE CONSUMERS THAT THIS AFFECT AFTER THAT MILEAGES MARKER. THIS IS SO UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER? MY TRUCK WAS AT THE DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS. I SEE ONLINE WERE CONSUMERS THAT WERE NOT AFFECTED HAD TOOK IT INTO THEIR OWN HANDS TO HAVE THE WIRING RE-ROUTED TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM. I LIVE IN A STATE WERE I NEED A VEHICLE TO GET AROUND. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFAULT OF NISSAN AND A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MORE COMPLAINTS THAN THEY THEMSELVES CAN COUNT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694316

155,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

IN SHORT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS AND HAS FAILED. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HYWAY AND JEOPARDIZED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE. THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR BREAKDOWN IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. MY RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FAILED.…

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IN SHORT THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS AND HAS FAILED. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE HYWAY AND JEOPARDIZED MY FAMILY'S AND MY LIFE. THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR BREAKDOWN IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. MY RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FAILED. THE AMOUNT TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE AND MAKE THIS A SAFE VEHICLE IS MORE THAN WE CAN AFFORD. I FEEL THIS FAULTY PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NECESSARY REPAIRS MADE OR A REIMBURSEMENT MADE ON BEHALF OF NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10567249

100,180 miles · Sep 6, 2013
Unknown Or Other

STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION. HAD IT CHECKED AND IT IS CAUSED BY THE RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10542269

115,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WAS EXITING A SIDE STREET ONTO A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD TURNING LEFT, CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD THEN LOST ALL FORWARD ACCELERATION. LEAVING ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. A SEPARATE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE, SLIDING TO A STOP. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL DEALER, IT WA…

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WAS EXITING A SIDE STREET ONTO A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD TURNING LEFT, CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD THEN LOST ALL FORWARD ACCELERATION. LEAVING ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. A SEPARATE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE, SLIDING TO A STOP. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR THAT HOUSES A TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED AND MIXED ANTI-FREEZE IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DEGRADE QUICKLY, CAUSING A SPURT OF VEHICLE ACCELERATION DUE TO A LARGE TRANSMISSION SLIP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH HAD THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524229

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.