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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 →

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
89,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Power Train

PURCHASED A ONE OWNER NISSAN IN LATE 2016 W/ APPROX. 85-86K MILES ON IT.GOT APPROX. 4-5 MTHS OF USE BEFORE IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER & BECAME INOPERABLE(APPROX FEB/MARCH OF 2017).MY WIFE & I WERE DRIVING HOME & BASICALLY LOST ALL POWER W/O ANY WARNING.THANK GOD WE WERE ON A SIDE ROAD @ THE TIME & WERE ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER.IT …

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PURCHASED A ONE OWNER NISSAN IN LATE 2016 W/ APPROX. 85-86K MILES ON IT.GOT APPROX. 4-5 MTHS OF USE BEFORE IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER & BECAME INOPERABLE(APPROX FEB/MARCH OF 2017).MY WIFE & I WERE DRIVING HOME & BASICALLY LOST ALL POWER W/O ANY WARNING.THANK GOD WE WERE ON A SIDE ROAD @ THE TIME & WERE ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER.IT HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE EARLY 2017 & RENDERED USELESS.$9000 DOWN THE DRAIN.VEHICLE ONLY HAS 89K MILES ON IT & IN IMMACULATE SHAPE INSIDE&OUT.NOW WE'RE FACED WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF A $4000+ TRANSMISSION REBUILD + ECM/TCM MODULE REPLACEMENT. MY MECHANIC PICKED UP ON THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY.HE CHECKED THE RADIATOR & IT LOOKED LIKE STRAWBERRY MILK.I OWNED 1 OTHER NISSAN BEFORE THIS & CAN TRULY SAY I WILL NEVER,EVER OWN ANOTHER.I FELT VERY CONFIDENT IN THE VEHICLE MECHANICALLY. BUT IF I'D KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT I'D HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT.NOW I'M BASICALLY OUT $9000 OR HAVE A $4000+ REPAIR TO EVEN BE ABLE TO RECOUP ANY MONEY & SOME OF MY LOSSES.IF I HAD ANY INKLING OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN NISSAN'S I'D HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT.I ORIGINALLY CONSIDERED NISSAN A GOOD CAR MAKER & RANKED THEM CLOSELY W/ HONDA & TOYOTA IN PERFORMANCE & DEPENDABILITY.NEEDLESS TO SAY.ALL THAT'S NOW CHANGED.I CANNOT BELIEVE THE NHTSA DID NOT DEMAND THAT NISSAN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THESE ISSUES AS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS & CURRENT OWNERS. BUT I'D NEVER HEARD A THING ABOUT IT & I "WORK IN AUTOMOTIVE FINANCE"!!! I WILL ADMIT, NISSAN WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RIPPING MANY PEOPLE OFF & WITHOUT SO MUCH AS AN APOLOGY. MUCH LESS ANY POTENTIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT THEY CAUSED.NISSAN NEEDS TO WAKE UP & DO RIGHT BY THEIR CUSTOMERS OR THEY WONT HAVE THEM LONG.TRUST ME WHEN I SAY.THAT DAY DRAWS CLOSER W/ EVERY PERSON WHO FINDS THEMSELVES IN THIS SIMILAR SITUATION.THANKS & I HOPE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS INJUSTICE THAT WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN ON YOUR WATCH!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11071698

66,074 miles · Dec 14, 2017
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO CHANGE GEARS AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICING AND TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO CHANGE GEARS AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICING AND TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A DEALER WAS CONTACTED (MASSAPEQUA NISSAN, 200 SUNRISE HIGHWAY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, (516) 799-2800). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP-12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED FOUR TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) ON THE ENGINE AND FOUR TSBS ON THE POWER TRAIN, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,074.

NHTSA ODI #11054771

100,000 miles · Nov 10, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT REVERSE OR CHANGE GEARS WHILE LEAVING THE HOUSE TODAY

NHTSA ODI #11045178

100,290 miles · Oct 30, 2017
SteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET, THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM OF MY VEHICLE BROKE RESULTING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. THERE FIRST RECALL OF THIS PART HAPPEN SOMETIME IN 2010 BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE IT. IN 2015, I HAD THE ACCIDENT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, 2017 I RECEIVE THE EMAIL ABOUT THIS PART BEING DEFECTIVE AND PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11041398

135,000 miles · Aug 8, 2017
Engine

NISSAN XTERRA 2006 THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THE RADIATOR LEAKED AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO SAID THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS AND CONTINUES TO ALLOW THE CAR TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE CAR IS DONE AND SO IS MY WALLET. THANK GOODNESS WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT, I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AROUND NO …

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NISSAN XTERRA 2006 THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THE RADIATOR LEAKED AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALSO SAID THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS AND CONTINUES TO ALLOW THE CAR TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE CAR IS DONE AND SO IS MY WALLET. THANK GOODNESS WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT, I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AROUND NO OTHER PEOPLE!

NHTSA ODI #11013668

90,000 miles · Aug 4, 2017
Engine

CRACKED RADIATOR, CAR DIED WITH NO WARNING GOING DOWN FREEWAY

NHTSA ODI #11012767

65,000 miles · Jun 30, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING MY XTERRA WHICH HAS 65000 MILES APPROXIMATELY, MY GAS GAUGE DROPPED FROM 3/4 TANK TO BELOW EMPTY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IN THE ROAD. I HAD TO BE TOWED WHERE I WAS TOLD I HAVE P0463 AND MY CAR WAS OUT OF GAS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH. ISSA XTERRA. I WENT TO DEAL…

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WHILE DRIVING MY XTERRA WHICH HAS 65000 MILES APPROXIMATELY, MY GAS GAUGE DROPPED FROM 3/4 TANK TO BELOW EMPTY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IN THE ROAD. I HAD TO BE TOWED WHERE I WAS TOLD I HAVE P0463 AND MY CAR WAS OUT OF GAS. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH. ISSA XTERRA. I WENT TO DEALER TO GET IT REPLACED AND THEY SAID $700. I SEE THAT THIS IS TOO COMMON AN ISSUE. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. I'M JUST HAPP HAPPY I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STOPPED. LUCKILY I WAS ON SIDE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11002577

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2017
Air Bags

I HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES ON THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY ARE SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11000593

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2017
Engine

THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE FLUID ALL WENT INTO THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING BOTH A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2005 XTERRAS AND NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER THIS FAULTY DESIGN. WE HAD NO ADVANCE NOTICE OF THIS HAPPENING. WE WENT OUT ONE DAY AND THE CAR DID NOT START.

NHTSA ODI #11000218

140,000 miles · Jun 14, 2017
Power Train

TAKATA RECALL...CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL DAY UNTIL I PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT.WHEN LIGHT CHANGED AND I PRESSED ON GAS, CAR WOULD HARDLY GO BUT EVENTUALLY AFTER SOFT COAXING IT GOT UP TO SPEED. WAS LIKE I JUST LOST FIRST GEAR ON AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.SUBSEQUENT RED LIGHTS RESULTED IN SAME PROBLEM. RESEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT ANY …

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TAKATA RECALL...CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL DAY UNTIL I PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT.WHEN LIGHT CHANGED AND I PRESSED ON GAS, CAR WOULD HARDLY GO BUT EVENTUALLY AFTER SOFT COAXING IT GOT UP TO SPEED. WAS LIKE I JUST LOST FIRST GEAR ON AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.SUBSEQUENT RED LIGHTS RESULTED IN SAME PROBLEM. RESEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT ANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON JUST ONE WEBSITE.TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: COOLANT BOX INSIDE TRANSMISSION BURST CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS TO MIX AND RUINING BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS $3800-4500.I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE HUNDREDS IS MINUTE IN COMPARISON TO THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES THEY HAVE SOLD.

NHTSA ODI #10995214

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.