IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
2005 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
210–25K
8025–50K
15950–75K
21575–100K
261100–150K
34150K+
770 reports with mileage · 75 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 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 242 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports
Power Train complaints
412 reportsPURCHASED MY '05 NISSAN XTERRA IN THE SPRING OF 2012 WITH ABOUT 160,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS I HAD MINOR ISSUES LIKE SHUDDERING/VIBRATIONS RANDOMLY WHEN I ACCELERATED AND THE HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPER…
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PURCHASED MY '05 NISSAN XTERRA IN THE SPRING OF 2012 WITH ABOUT 160,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS I HAD MINOR ISSUES LIKE SHUDDERING/VIBRATIONS RANDOMLY WHEN I ACCELERATED AND THE HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY THAT I KNEW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY XTERRA TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND EACH ONE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I WOULD NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AND FROM THERE THEY WOULD SEE IF I IN FACT NEEDED TO CHANGE THE RADIATOR (WHICH THEY WERE POSITIVE WAS THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DUE TO SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER NISSAN SUV OWNERS). THE REPAIRS WILL COST ME WELL OVER $4,000 AND UNFORTUNATELY AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN AFFORD TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. WHAT WAS APPALLING TO ME WAS WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXCLUDED MANY PEOPLE AND PUT MANY MORE AT AN UNFAIR DISADVANTAGE. I PERSONALLY BOUGHT MY NISSAN, BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION, BUT THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT COME TO THE AID OF THEIR CONSUMERS SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THIS COMPANY. *TR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATED AS IF IT DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER TO SHIFT OR NOT. FOUND OUT LATER THAT I HAD WATER IN MY TRANS AND TRANS FLUID IN MY RADIATOR. *TR
2ND OWNER OF 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. FIRST HAD ISSUES WITH HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, THEN CAR WOULD BEGIN TO VIBRATE ON THE HWY, AND NOW CAR IS HAVING ISSUES UP SHIFTING. 2 MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE SAME THING, STATING DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. NOW I MUST REPLACE BOTH AT ABOUT $4000. AF…
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2ND OWNER OF 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. FIRST HAD ISSUES WITH HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP, THEN CAR WOULD BEGIN TO VIBRATE ON THE HWY, AND NOW CAR IS HAVING ISSUES UP SHIFTING. 2 MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THE SAME THING, STATING DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. NOW I MUST REPLACE BOTH AT ABOUT $4000. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF MANY AND BEING VERY COSTLY TO THOSE WHO CAN NOT AFFORD A MAJOR ISSUE LIKE THIS. *JS
THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP WORKING. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND A WHOLE NEW RADIATOR SYSTEM PUT IN MY TRUCK. 5300.00 .THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. TRIED TO SEND IN A CLAIM BUT WAS TOLD THEY ARE NO LONGER EXCEPTING CLAIMS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IF THEY A…
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THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP WORKING. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND A WHOLE NEW RADIATOR SYSTEM PUT IN MY TRUCK. 5300.00 .THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. TRIED TO SEND IN A CLAIM BUT WAS TOLD THEY ARE NO LONGER EXCEPTING CLAIMS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IF THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM THEN THEY SHOULD HELP THOSE OF US IT HAPPENED TO!!!!!! *TR
I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION 'SLIPPING' WHEN I PULLED INTO WORK, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC ON MY COMMUTE. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR 2 HOURS LATER, I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP A 2% GRADE IN THE PARKING LOT. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT THERE AND NOT PAY THE TOWING CHARGES (HE POINTE…
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I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION 'SLIPPING' WHEN I PULLED INTO WORK, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC ON MY COMMUTE. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR 2 HOURS LATER, I COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP A 2% GRADE IN THE PARKING LOT. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT THERE AND NOT PAY THE TOWING CHARGES (HE POINTED TO ANOTHER XTERRA THAT CAME IN THE DAY BEFORE). MY VEHICLE WAS PAST THE (WIMPY) EXTENDED WARRANTY (MILEAGE) FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND THE AGE WAS WELL PAST IT. IT COST ME $3750 OUT OF POCKET WITH NO HOPE OF FINANCIAL RELIEF FROM NISSAN. THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR STORE OWNER SAID THIS WHOLE SITUATION (DESIGN AND LAWSUIT) WAS TERRIBLE AND COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE INTERSTATE! *TR
COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND THERE WERE CARS SLOWING AHEAD OF ME I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE SLOWLY TO A STOP WHILE I WAS NOT ABLE TO BE STEER. I HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BY THE HELP OF OTHERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PINNACLE NISSAN DEALE…
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COMPLETE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND THERE WERE CARS SLOWING AHEAD OF ME I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE SLOWLY TO A STOP WHILE I WAS NOT ABLE TO BE STEER. I HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BY THE HELP OF OTHERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE PINNACLE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR HAS TO BE FULLY REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY VALVE . NISSAN SAID THE VALVE THAT CONNECTS THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BROKE ALLOWING COOLANT AND ANTI FREEZE TO MIX TOGETHER AND IMMEDIATELY CATASTROPHICALLY DESTROYING BOTH COMPONENTS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEIR WAS A CLASSACTION SUIT FOR THIS VERY REASON THAT WAS SETTLED BUT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF I HAD BEEN IN A FREEWAY SITUATION. NISSAN HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS REASON. I HAVE HAD EVERY RECALL PART FOR THIS VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IT HAS BEEN KNOWN DUE TO THE # OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PARTICULAR PART BEING FAULTY BUT A RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF NISSAN. I AM EXPECTED TO COVER THIS WITH A DEDUCTIBLE OF $2500.00 AT NO FAULT OF MY OWN . I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE MAINTAINED ALL NECESSARY/RECCOMENDED SERVICE OUTLINED BY NISSAN UP TILL L THIS FAILURE. THANK YOU
LUCKILY I WAS WAITING IN A DRIVE THRU WHEN THE KNOWN DEFECT OCCURRED. THE RADIATOR IS KNOWN TO CRACK AND LEAK IN TO THE TRANSMISSION MIXING BOTH THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR ALSO REQUIRES THAT THE ENGINE BE FLUSHED MULTIPLE TIMES. …
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LUCKILY I WAS WAITING IN A DRIVE THRU WHEN THE KNOWN DEFECT OCCURRED. THE RADIATOR IS KNOWN TO CRACK AND LEAK IN TO THE TRANSMISSION MIXING BOTH THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR ALSO REQUIRES THAT THE ENGINE BE FLUSHED MULTIPLE TIMES. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN A FEW YEARS AGO THAT THIS IS A RARE OCCURRENCE. IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THEY WERE TELLING THE TRUTH. NISSAN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION SUIT SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY $2560 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. BECAUSE THE PARTS HAVE TO BE ORDERED IT TAKES A WEEK OR LONGER TO GET THE CAR FIXED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS MULTIPLE NISSAN MODELS FROM 2005 THROUGH 2010. NISSAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL AND FIX EVERYONE OF THE AFFECTED MODELS. *TR
BECAUSE OF A FAILED RADIATOR, COOLANT BECAME MIXED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *TR
THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AND MIXED COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, TRANSMISSION SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED. *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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.
05V458000 · Trailer Hitches
Oct 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. 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
1DP12004 · 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.