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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

What owners actually said

837 reports
53,000 miles · Dec 30, 2016
Power Train

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON I95 IN CONNECTICUT ,10PM AT NIGHT, AT 55MPH , WITH FAMILY IN CAR. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT CONTACT VEHICLE OWNERS TO WARN OF THE PROBLEM OR OFFER SUGGESTED REPAIR. REPLACING THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE BEEN A …

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TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON I95 IN CONNECTICUT ,10PM AT NIGHT, AT 55MPH , WITH FAMILY IN CAR. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT CONTACT VEHICLE OWNERS TO WARN OF THE PROBLEM OR OFFER SUGGESTED REPAIR. REPLACING THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE BEEN A $300.00 FIX. INSTEAD NISSAN OFFERED NO WARNING AND THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON AN INTERSTATE AT NIGHT HAPPENED. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR WAS $4381, PLUS A WEEK CAR RENTAL.

NHTSA ODI #10938815

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I PAID OFF MY PATHFINDER LAST YEAR. JUST ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AFTER LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE THE TRUCK STARTED TURNING ON ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY HOME NOT EVEN A MILE AWAY, I TURNED IT OFF AND NEXT DAY..MY SURPRISE IT DIDN'T TURN ON TO TAKE TO THE MECHANIC. I CALLED THE TOW TR…

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I PAID OFF MY PATHFINDER LAST YEAR. JUST ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO AFTER LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE THE TRUCK STARTED TURNING ON ALL THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY HOME NOT EVEN A MILE AWAY, I TURNED IT OFF AND NEXT DAY..MY SURPRISE IT DIDN'T TURN ON TO TAKE TO THE MECHANIC. I CALLED THE TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT IN TO NISSAN DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION OIL AND MESSED UP THE MODULE TOO. THEY WHERE ORIGINALLY CHARGING ME 7200 DOLLARS TO FIX. I BROUGHT IT BACK HOME AND AFTER WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PAY WITH CREDIT I TOOK IT IN TO FIX. THEY URGED ME TO FIX ALL AT ONCE BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON ANY OF THE ABOVE..MOST LIKELY THEY SAID IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938649

178,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID MIXING AND CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I SEE THAT YOU HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND YOU CHOOSE NOT TO HELP THE CONSUMERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A CONTINUING PROBLEM AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISN'T FAIR TO THE CONSUMER …

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THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID MIXING AND CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I SEE THAT YOU HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND YOU CHOOSE NOT TO HELP THE CONSUMERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A CONTINUING PROBLEM AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISN'T FAIR TO THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THIS IS A FAULTY ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10938547

178,000 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS ARE INTERMINGLING AND HAS CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. IT HAS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10938528

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2016
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELL DEFORMED, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL FROM NISSAN FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT NISSAN SAID THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE SAME ISSUE HAS …

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THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELL DEFORMED, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL FROM NISSAN FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT NISSAN SAID THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO MY PATHFINDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10937755

103,000 miles · Dec 24, 2016
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS MIXED CAUSING MASSIVE RADIATOR BLOW OUT AND REPLACEMENT. . COST OF $2000 THEN AFTER BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION SURVIDE AND LIMITED DRIVING NOW A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER AND ABOUT A YEAR LATER NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT NO REVERSE AND ONLY ONE FORWARD GEAR!

NHTSA ODI #10937316

118,000 miles · Dec 23, 2016
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM, HAND, AND RIB AREA WERE ALL INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE UNIT WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM, HAND, AND RIB AREA WERE ALL INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE UNIT WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10937197

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2016
Power Train

THIS SUB HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SPEED AFTER 35 MPH. THE ENGINE HAS TO GO HIGH REVOLUTION 4500 OR 5000 RPM WICH IS NOT NORMAL. TO KEEP AT 50MPH .THE TRAMISION DOESN'T GEAR PROPERLY. I TOOK TO NISSAN DEALER THEY SAID IS THE TRAMISION HAS WATER FRON THE RADIATOR. THE COOLANT MAJESTIC THE TRAMISION FAIL. IT COST OVER 5000.00 FOR R…

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THIS SUB HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SPEED AFTER 35 MPH. THE ENGINE HAS TO GO HIGH REVOLUTION 4500 OR 5000 RPM WICH IS NOT NORMAL. TO KEEP AT 50MPH .THE TRAMISION DOESN'T GEAR PROPERLY. I TOOK TO NISSAN DEALER THEY SAID IS THE TRAMISION HAS WATER FRON THE RADIATOR. THE COOLANT MAJESTIC THE TRAMISION FAIL. IT COST OVER 5000.00 FOR RAPAIR .IT NEED NEW RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10935006

150,000 miles · Nov 17, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF FUEL IN THE TANK; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF FUEL IN THE TANK; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10926620

35 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Power Train

I'M A OWNER OF A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THIS VEHICLE HAS MAJOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. VEHICLE SHUTTERS AND JERKS WHILE DRIVING 20 TO 30 MPH!!

NHTSA ODI #10915618

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.