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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 →
845Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
157
200272
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
2008
Compare all Xterra years →

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

What owners reported most

Power Train
412Fuel System, Gasoline
242Engine And Engine Cooling
167Engine
114Fuel System, Other
49
All reported categories
Electrical System
39Fuel/propulsion System
32Unknown Or Other
25Air Bags
19Vehicle Speed Control
12Steering
10Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Suspension
8Equipment
6Structure
4Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Trailer Hitches
3Child Seat
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

845 reports
80,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DISPLAYING AN INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL READING. THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DISPLAYING AN INCORRECT FUEL LEVEL READING. THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10456940

94,000 miles · Apr 27, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR FAILED ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456732

129,637 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NISSAN'S 2005 XTERRA HAS A MAJOR FLAW IN ITS COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AS THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FLUSHING THE SYSTEM IS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED …

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NISSAN'S 2005 XTERRA HAS A MAJOR FLAW IN ITS COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AS THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FLUSHING THE SYSTEM IS NOT ENOUGH. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY NISSAN BEFORE THE PROBLEM BECAME COSTLY. APPARENTLY NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456393

113,998 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Power Train

DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE X-TERRA STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A FLUID CONTAMINATION BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. SPENT $5300 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM. I EXPECT THE TRANSMISSI…

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DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE X-TERRA STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A FLUID CONTAMINATION BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. SPENT $5300 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM. I EXPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO EVENTUALLY FAIL, BUT NOT AT 113K MILES. BUT, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE - A DESIGN/FLAW. THE WEB IS FULL OF TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456331

50,000 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING, SERVICE ENGINE SOON IS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456296

75,000 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COV…

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I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456273

87,575 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE NISSAN COOLING SYSTEM FOR 2005 XTERRA'S - THIS DEFECT ALLOWS ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE FAILURE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455339

80,000 miles · Apr 15, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN NOT. ALSO DIGITAL MILEAGE IS INCORRECT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. FUEL SENSOR?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455305

112,651 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Power Train

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE WHEN HER NISSAN XTERRA WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR (IT'S AN AUTOMATIC). SHE HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN FIRST GEAR AND KEEP IT UNDER 15 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A …

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE WHEN HER NISSAN XTERRA WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR (IT'S AN AUTOMATIC). SHE HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN FIRST GEAR AND KEEP IT UNDER 15 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN, BUT WE WERE UNAWARE OF IT UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THE RADIATORS IN THIS MODEL HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY NEVER NOTIFIED MY WIFE (SHE'S THE ORIGINAL OWNER) OR ELSE WE WOULD'VE TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. THANK GOD SHE WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN A FATAL COLLISION AS A RESULT. EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE SUFFERED NO PHYSICAL HARM, WE'RE NOW FACING A $6100 REPAIR BILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454878

104,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I'VE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT MY XTERRA STARTED SHUDDERING WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A SPECIFIC OCCASION WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TO FIX A SEPARATE RECALL…

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I'VE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT MY XTERRA STARTED SHUDDERING WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A SPECIFIC OCCASION WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TO FIX A SEPARATE RECALL NOTICE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD MIXED WITH MY COOLANT, WHICH MEANT THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454772

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.

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

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.