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2006 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
837Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
200837
2009
Compare all Pathfinder years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
450Engine And Engine Cooling
185Engine
147Fuel System, Gasoline
135Fuel/propulsion System
71
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
43Steering
41Electrical System
34Fuel System, Other
29Vehicle Speed Control
16Air Bags
14Suspension
9Service Brakes
6Structure
6Equipment
5Seat Belts
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Traction Control System
1Visibility/wiper
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

742 reports with mileage · 95 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 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

147 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Engine

I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY MARINE AND HAVE SERVED FOR OVER 20 YEARS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS MY WIFE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS ACTING UP. UPON MY RETURN I TEST DROVE THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATION AFTER I CAME TO A STOP. SOON AFTE…

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I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY MARINE AND HAVE SERVED FOR OVER 20 YEARS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF THIS 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS MY WIFE CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS ACTING UP. UPON MY RETURN I TEST DROVE THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATION AFTER I CAME TO A STOP. SOON AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUTO SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND FOUND OUT THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION OIL MIXED. I TOOK THE CAR INTO NISSAN AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THIS PROBLEM; BUT I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE AND THEY WOULD NOT BE COVER MY VEHICLE. WE RECENTLY PAID OFF THE CAR; HOWEVER, NOW I AM STUCK WITH THIS TICKING TIME BOMB. THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION VERY FREQUENTLY. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO GET IT BACK TO NORMAL. WHILE I AM DRIVING IT, I COULD FEEL THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGE. IT SOMETIME FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD. IT MAY STOP WORKING ANYTIME. I AM GETTING READY TO DEPLOY AND I AM STUCK WITH SOME TOUGH DECISIONS. BUY A REPLACEMENT CAR, PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX THIS CAR, OR DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT STOPS WORKING. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY WIFE AND SON WITH THIS PROBLEM WHILE I AM GONE. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10778887

62,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10762572

79,498 miles · Aug 6, 2015
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

MY CARS RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MIX OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND QUITE POSSIBLY DAMAGED MY ENGINE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON IT. THE REPAIRS FOR THIS INCIDENT ARE HIGH THE NISSAN DEALER I TOOK IT TO QUOTED ME $4,591.43…

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MY CARS RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MIX OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND QUITE POSSIBLY DAMAGED MY ENGINE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON IT. THE REPAIRS FOR THIS INCIDENT ARE HIGH THE NISSAN DEALER I TOOK IT TO QUOTED ME $4,591.43 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR AND THAT IS WITH THE WARRANTY THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE ON IT. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME ANY OTHER DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY RADIATOR WOULD NOT BE COVERED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO ANY OTHER COMPONENTS AS WELL THEY TOLD THEY ME MIGHT BE AN ADDITIONAL $2,000 SO NEARLY $7,000. I HAD KNOW CHOICE BUT SELL THE CAR OFF AS SCRAP AS THE REPAIRS WOULD COST MORE THAN THE CAR ITSELF. A FAILURE OF ALL THESE PARTS AT ONCE IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO EVERYONE.

NHTSA ODI #10746711

90,150 miles · Jun 2, 2015
EnginePower Train

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE MAIN ROAD AND WENT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE. WHEN I GOT IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO RUIN THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10722997

102,000 miles · May 21, 2015
EngineStructureUnknown Or Other

RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ISSUED A FIX WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT IS BYPASSED FROM THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEN THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE FIX WAS FOR $500+ THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION ARE AT $4700/- NOW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS IS MORE THAN THE COST O…

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RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ISSUED A FIX WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT IS BYPASSED FROM THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEN THAT HAS NOT HELPED. THE FIX WAS FOR $500+ THE REPAIRS FOR THE TRANSMISSION ARE AT $4700/- NOW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS IS MORE THAN THE COST OF THE VEHICLE NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10717611

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2015
EnginePower Train

PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM CAR LOT FEB. 28, 2015. DROVE THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES AND THE COOLANT LEAKED. FLUSHED SYSTEM NOTICE THERE WAS STOP LEAK IN RADIATOR. NOW MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND TRUCK SHAKES DURING ACCELERATION. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHAKING OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING HOME. I THOUG…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM CAR LOT FEB. 28, 2015. DROVE THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES AND THE COOLANT LEAKED. FLUSHED SYSTEM NOTICE THERE WAS STOP LEAK IN RADIATOR. NOW MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND TRUCK SHAKES DURING ACCELERATION. THIS WAS A PREVIOUS ISSUE BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHAKING OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING HOME. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST THE TIRES NEEDING TO BE BALANCED, BUT AFTER RESEARCH I KNOW THAT IT WAS FROM THE COOLANT PREVIOUSLY LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, AND NOW I AM LEFT TO DEAL WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705614

117,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
EnginePower Train

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, WHICH NEEDED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF OVERDRIVE FROM TIME TO TIME. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT COMPLETELY ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WILL REV UP, BUT WILL NOT DRIVE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THE GASKET LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT WITH THE OIL. THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702979

111,342 miles · Mar 29, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR SHUT DOWN ON DART TRAIN TRACKS, TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK, RADIATOR HAD OIL AND LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702464

138,000 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10682534

112,000 miles · Jan 6, 2015
Engine

TRANSMISSION WENT ON THE CAR. COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10670370

Official recalls

3

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.

10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

Mar 3, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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.