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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 →

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

What owners actually said

837 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I HAVE HAD THE COOLANT PROBLEM FIXED. THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE U-JOINTS. I HAVE HAD TO BUY NEW GAS CAPS TO GET MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF. NOW THERE IS A TERRIBLE LEAK AND A NOISE THAT IS SO BAD. I TOOK IT INTO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND NOW IT IS SO BAD THA…

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I HAVE HAD THE COOLANT PROBLEM FIXED. THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE U-JOINTS. I HAVE HAD TO BUY NEW GAS CAPS TO GET MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF. NOW THERE IS A TERRIBLE LEAK AND A NOISE THAT IS SO BAD. I TOOK IT INTO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND NOW IT IS SO BAD THAT I CAN'T SELL IT BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS IT AND I AM NOW SO UPSIDE DOWN IN MY LOAN BECAUSE THE VALUE IS GOING DOWN SO MUCH THAT I CAN'T TRADE IT IN.

NHTSA ODI #10854906

143,000 miles · Apr 7, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE RECURRED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH CAUSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE RECURRED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854034

160,000 miles · Apr 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other

PURCHASED PATHFINDER IN 2013 WITH 140,000 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP. AFTER LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND 20,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE AND IT WILL COST OVER 4,000 TO FIX WHILE I AM STILL FINANCING OVER 9,000 FOR IT. ALL EXTENDED WARRANTY DEADLINES AND LIMITATIONS HAVE EXPIRED BEFORE I HAD EVEN PURCHASED THE CAR. IT IS AMAZING THA…

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PURCHASED PATHFINDER IN 2013 WITH 140,000 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP. AFTER LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND 20,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE AND IT WILL COST OVER 4,000 TO FIX WHILE I AM STILL FINANCING OVER 9,000 FOR IT. ALL EXTENDED WARRANTY DEADLINES AND LIMITATIONS HAVE EXPIRED BEFORE I HAD EVEN PURCHASED THE CAR. IT IS AMAZING THAT FOR SUCH A SEVERE ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN DETRIMENTAL TO MANY BASED ON MY RESEARCH, THAT NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE MORE REALISTIC AND HELPFUL WARRANTY STANDARDS. I AM NOT A LOSS AT WHAT TO DO AND NISSAN OR DEALERSHIP HAS OFFERED ANY HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10854018

50,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR FAILED AND NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10852885

73,364 miles · Mar 26, 2016
Engine

MY SON BOUGHT ME THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MARCH 8. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TPS LIGHTS WERE ON THE DAY WE GOT IT, I ALSO COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE CONSTANTLY. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO CHECK. HE SAID ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTOTRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT NISSAN WAS HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLES WITH THIS. HE SAID IT COULD COST THOUS…

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MY SON BOUGHT ME THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON MARCH 8. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TPS LIGHTS WERE ON THE DAY WE GOT IT, I ALSO COULD SMELL ANTIFREEZE CONSTANTLY. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO CHECK. HE SAID ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTOTRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT NISSAN WAS HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLES WITH THIS. HE SAID IT COULD COST THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO FIX. MY VEHICLE HAS ALITTLE OVER 73,500 MILES ON IT AND I CANNOT AFFORD A HUGE REPAIR BILL. MY SON IS WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY. CAN YOU POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN REGRDS TO THIS PLEASE! THANKS!

NHTSA ODI #10851809

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2016
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 25 IN SOUTH DENVER, MY PATHFINDER BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STALL. THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AS I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTO IN PARKER COLORADO. A RADIATOR PART BLEW, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE STEAM FROM THE PLASTIC …

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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 25 IN SOUTH DENVER, MY PATHFINDER BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STALL. THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AS I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTO IN PARKER COLORADO. A RADIATOR PART BLEW, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND WAS DESTROYED. THE STEAM FROM THE PLASTIC RADIATOR PART ALSO DAMAGED THE MAIN COMPUTER. IT WAS CLOSE TO $10,000 FOR ALL REPAIRS RELATED TO THE RADIATOR PART FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES LATER, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING ON I-70 NEAR THE VAIL, COLORADO EXIT, AND THE PATHFINDER STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR US BOTH. THIS HAPPENED TODAY, 03/24/2016. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO AVON AUTO IN AVON COLORADO. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED, BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME WITH FURTHER QUESTIONS. [XXX] OR [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10851517

124,000 miles · Mar 22, 2016
Power Train

COOLANT FROM A FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. RUINING THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING A TOTAL REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10850975

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2016
Unknown Or Other

COOLANT IS MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IS CREATING THE CAR GETTING OVER HEATED, THE MIX IS GETTING DISCHARGE IN A FORMER OF A BROWN CHOCOLATE MIXTURE

NHTSA ODI #10850762

83,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Power Train

TOTAL TRANSMISSION & RADIATOR FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10850681

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED IN 2012 TO FIND OUT OUR VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE INTERMIX THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION THEY GAVE US AN ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $10,000.00 STATED IT WAS NO GOOD AND TO TRADE IT IN ASAP SAID WE SHOULDNT DRIVE IT THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS SO WE PARKE DIT. I WAS DEVISTATED WE D…

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TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED IN 2012 TO FIND OUT OUR VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE INTERMIX THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION THEY GAVE US AN ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $10,000.00 STATED IT WAS NO GOOD AND TO TRADE IT IN ASAP SAID WE SHOULDNT DRIVE IT THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS SO WE PARKE DIT. I WAS DEVISTATED WE DID EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER MADE REPORTS CALLED EVERYONE POSSIBLE NOTHING! TRIED TO SUE HOWEVER I FELL ILL (CANCER) AND COULDN'T KEEP OUR HEARING APT HERE IN SACRAMENTO CA. ITS STILL PARKED IN OUR GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10837639

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.