IllustrationNISSAN IS WELL-AWARE OF A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS RADIATOR FLUID TO CROSS-CONTAMINATE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEY JOKINGLY (AT LEAST THEIR DEALERS) REFER TO IT AS A "STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE". THE ANTIFREEZE DEGRADES TRANSMISSION PARTS AND CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE. A QUICK WEB SEARCH SHOWS OVER 300 SUCH CASES. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,324.
TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN ONE GEAR WHICH CAUSED DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES ON WELL TRAVELED ROADS. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT OPERATED NORMALLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT, AND IF OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. NISSAN HAS ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM/DEF…
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TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN ONE GEAR WHICH CAUSED DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES ON WELL TRAVELED ROADS. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT OPERATED NORMALLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT, AND IF OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. NISSAN HAS ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM/DEFECT BY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS DEFECT AFFECTS VEHICLES BEYOND 80,000 AND IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. I UNDERSTAND THE DEFECT HAS TO DO WITH A COOLING SYSTEM IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS PRONE TO CRACKING RESULTING IN THE MIXING OF RADIATOR FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID, ULTIMATELY RENDERING THE TRANSMISSION INOPERABLE. *TR
JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE 405 FREEWAY IN LONG BEACH, MY XTERRA WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE GARDEN GROVE NISSAN DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT. I WAS CHARGED $5,000 TO REPAIR. I FILED A CLAIM WITH THE DEALER AND THAT'S WHEN I FIRST LEARNED THAT I HAD BEEN GIVEN AN…
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JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE 405 FREEWAY IN LONG BEACH, MY XTERRA WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE GARDEN GROVE NISSAN DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR THAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT. I WAS CHARGED $5,000 TO REPAIR. I FILED A CLAIM WITH THE DEALER AND THAT'S WHEN I FIRST LEARNED THAT I HAD BEEN GIVEN AN EXTRA 20,000 MILES WARRANTY BACK WHEN MY XTERRA ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I'VE BEEN TAKING MY XTERRA TO THE DEALER FOR ALL MAINTENANCE SINCE I BOUGHT IT FROM THE DEALER. *TR
COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION RUINED BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
AFTER DRIVING TO A REMOTE FAIR GROUND FACILITY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER LEAVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRANDED WAITING FOR HELP, THE PASSENGER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO HIGH OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES AND LACK OF NEAR BY FACILITIES. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED TO T…
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AFTER DRIVING TO A REMOTE FAIR GROUND FACILITY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A LEAK ALLOWING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER LEAVING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER STRANDED WAITING FOR HELP, THE PASSENGER LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO HIGH OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES AND LACK OF NEAR BY FACILITIES. PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT RADIATOR FLUIDS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT RADIATOR FLUIDS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE OF $7000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
BROUGHT A USED 2005 NISSAN XTERRA FROM A DEALER IN EUGENE OREGON ON OCTOBER 13, 2011. ON JULY 31, 2012 THE RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION DISABLING THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALS WHERE I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ( 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES) ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM TO THE TRANSMISSION…
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BROUGHT A USED 2005 NISSAN XTERRA FROM A DEALER IN EUGENE OREGON ON OCTOBER 13, 2011. ON JULY 31, 2012 THE RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION DISABLING THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALS WHERE I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ( 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES) ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE PROBLEM TO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH MEANT BOTH ARE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING SOME PROBLEMS EARLY IN JULY. ON OR ABOUT JULY 5 I WAS PULLING ONTO HIGHWAY 30 IN MONTGOMERY ILLINOIS. THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PUSHED THE GAS AND PROCEEDED TO MERGE ON TO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR MOVED VERY SLOWLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND RESTED CAR FOR AP…
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MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING SOME PROBLEMS EARLY IN JULY. ON OR ABOUT JULY 5 I WAS PULLING ONTO HIGHWAY 30 IN MONTGOMERY ILLINOIS. THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I PUSHED THE GAS AND PROCEEDED TO MERGE ON TO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR MOVED VERY SLOWLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I PULLED OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND RESTED CAR FOR APPROX 5MIN. WHEN I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY. I TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUIDS HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SLIP AND FAIL. AFTER HEARING THIS I WENT ONLINE AND OBSERVED THAT OVER 500 PEOPLE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF ALL 2005-2010 TRUCKS AND SUV'S. I HAVE ASKED NISSAN TO REPAIR MY CAR AT THEIR EXPENSE SINCE IT IS A PROBLEM THEY KNEW ABOUT. THEY FIRST STATED THEY DID NOT SEND ME THE ORIGINAL INFO ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW I OWNED THE CAR. THIS IS NOT TRUE. THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY SENT ME INFORMATION ABOUT A TOW BAR ISSUE/RECALL AND A NISSAN DEALER IN SAN JOSE CA FIXED THAT PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN INTENTIONALLY DID NOT INFORM OWNERS BECAUSE THEY WANTED THE MILEAGE TO EXCEED WHAT THEY WERE OFFERING (80,000). HAD I KNOWN I WOULD HAVE HAD MY TRUCK LOOKED AT LONG BEFORE THE MILEAGE EXPIRED. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME COULD HAPPEN TO A FAMILY AND IF THEY WERE TO PULL INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC AN ACCIDENT WOULD CERTAINLY OCCUR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I APPRECIATE YOU OPENING AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS AND HOPE YOU GET RESULTS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR
TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SHACK TERRIBLY AND WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS A DIRECT FAILURE OF A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR THAT ALLOWED RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *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.