TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO KNOWN ISSUE INVOLVING COOLING FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAULTY LINES IN RADIATOR THAT CRACK AT 100,000 MILES. QUOTED $6000 REPAIR COST, CAR IS TOTALED.,
2006 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2006 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
720 reports with mileage · 60 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 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 237 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
104 reportsTHIS VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH PLASTIC TENSIONER GUIDES TO THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS. THE ENGINE IS DESIGNED WITH AN "INTERFERENCE" TIMING CHAIN WHICH MEANS THAT IF THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, IT RESULTS IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. ALTHOUGH NISSAN DID NOT DESIGN THE TIMING CHAIN AS A MAINTENANCE ITEM, THE PLAS…
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THIS VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH PLASTIC TENSIONER GUIDES TO THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS. THE ENGINE IS DESIGNED WITH AN "INTERFERENCE" TIMING CHAIN WHICH MEANS THAT IF THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, IT RESULTS IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. ALTHOUGH NISSAN DID NOT DESIGN THE TIMING CHAIN AS A MAINTENANCE ITEM, THE PLASTIC GUIDES WEAR OUT LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY EXPIRES. ALTHOUGH THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM IN SUBSEQUENT MODEL YEARS, THEY NEVER CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED THE AFFECTED OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM THAT UNLESS THESE GUIDES ARE REPLACED THEY WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS WEARING OUT THE GUIDES CAUSING THE SECONDARY CHAINS THEMSELVES TO RUN METAL ON METAL AGAINST THE TENSIONERS. BECAUSE OF THIS CONTINUED WEAR, THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS MAY FAIL AT ANY TIME THE ENGINE IS ON WITHOUT WARNING AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. NISSAN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY OWNERS THAT AS THE VEHICLES APPROACH APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES OR MORE, THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS MAY FAIL. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE WHICH SHOW THE PLASTIC GUIDE ON ONE NEARLY COMPLETELY WORN THROUGH, AND THE OTHER ONE BROKEN WITH ONLY HALF OF THE PLASTIC GUIDE STILL IN PLACE ON THE TENSIONER. I ALSO INCLUDED MY REPAIR RECEIPT FOR THE $2,123.40 REPAIR. FINALLY, I INCLUDED THE NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THEY RECALLED THE V8 ENGINES WITH THIS TYPE OF ISSUE, BUT NOT THE V6 ENGINES (I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THAT HOWEVER,) NISSAN SHOULD IMMEDIATELY ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS ALREADY MADE BY CONSUMERS.
TAKATA RECALL RADIATOR LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND I NOW I NEED COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSANS AND I AM OUTSIDE OF THE MILEAGE AND WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE RPMS STARTED RACING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING. HAD TO TOW IT IN TO THE MECHANICS. M…
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TAKATA RECALL RADIATOR LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND I NOW I NEED COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSANS AND I AM OUTSIDE OF THE MILEAGE AND WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND THE RPMS STARTED RACING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING. HAD TO TOW IT IN TO THE MECHANICS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON AND THE CODE IS FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
I WAS DRIVING, AND STOPPED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AT A CONVENENT STORE, AND WHEN STATED THE CAR, IT WONT GO FORWARD AS NORMAL, LOST POWER WITH NO WARNINGS AND WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THE CARBURETOR WAS LEAKING SOME FLUID TO THE TRANSMISSION.
VEHICLE RADIATOR RUSTED INTERNALLY, THEREFORE INTERMIX COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. AUTOMOBILE CONSTANTLY SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERS, NO WARNING FROM NISSAN.
WAS DRIVING IN A 55 ZONE IN MY XTERRA AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER OUTA NO WHERE. GOOD THING NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR I WOULDA BEEN KILLED. SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH ON THIS MODEL YET MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP IN THE …
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WAS DRIVING IN A 55 ZONE IN MY XTERRA AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER OUTA NO WHERE. GOOD THING NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME OR I WOULDA BEEN KILLED. SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH ON THIS MODEL YET MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP IN THE SEARCH????
NISSAN KNEW ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSION SYSTEM TCTS EVEN IN EARLY TESTING OF THE MOTOR AND PRE-PRODUCTION DATING BACK TO 2004. THE TCTS ENSURES THAT THE PISTONS AND VALVES ARE PROPERLY TIMED AND ELIMINATE THE COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER OR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. NISSAN EVEN ISSUED BEGINNING IN JULY …
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NISSAN KNEW ABOUT AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN TENSION SYSTEM TCTS EVEN IN EARLY TESTING OF THE MOTOR AND PRE-PRODUCTION DATING BACK TO 2004. THE TCTS ENSURES THAT THE PISTONS AND VALVES ARE PROPERLY TIMED AND ELIMINATE THE COMING IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER OR CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. NISSAN EVEN ISSUED BEGINNING IN JULY OF 2007 THE TSB TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INSTRUCTS TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE THE FAULTY TCTS COMPONENTS IF THERE IS A WHINING, CLICKING OR BUZZING SOUNDS. FOR THE ACTUAL CASE AGAINST NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY HERE IS THE LINK TO THE COURT DOCUMENTS: HTTPS://LAW.JUSTIA.COM/CASES/FEDERAL/DISTRICT-COURTS/CALIFORNIA/CACDCE/2:2013CV00686/553274/166/
TIMING CHAIN. I AM A MEMBER OF A FEW FORUMS FOR THE NISSAN XTERRA AND FRONTIER. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, THE TENSION AND GUIDES ARE A ISSUE ON THE 05/06 XTERRA AND FRONTIERS RUNNING THE 4.0 V6. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR XTERRAS BUT IT ONLY RECOGNIZED IN A FEW STATES. PLEASE INV…
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TIMING CHAIN. I AM A MEMBER OF A FEW FORUMS FOR THE NISSAN XTERRA AND FRONTIER. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, THE TENSION AND GUIDES ARE A ISSUE ON THE 05/06 XTERRA AND FRONTIERS RUNNING THE 4.0 V6. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY OWNERS OF THE SAME YEAR XTERRAS BUT IT ONLY RECOGNIZED IN A FEW STATES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND DEEM A RECALL BEFORE TOO MANY MORE XTERRAS BLOW THEIR ENGINES OR HAVE OTHER ISSUES DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE, NISSAN HAS ADMITTED THEY KNOW OF THIS ISSUE TOO. BELOW IS THE LINK TO SAID CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT: HTTPS://TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/827701-NISSAN-AGREES-SETTLE-TIMING-CHAIN-DEFECT-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT/
WE LEARNED TODAY THROUGH OUR MECHANIC THAT THE RATTLING NOISE WE'VE BEEN HEARING IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "TIMING CHAINS." OUR MECHANIC SAYS THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. WE DISCOVERED ONLINE THERE WAS A RECENTLY SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT A RECALL BY NISSAN HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. WHAT IS THE RECOURSE FO…
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WE LEARNED TODAY THROUGH OUR MECHANIC THAT THE RATTLING NOISE WE'VE BEEN HEARING IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE "TIMING CHAINS." OUR MECHANIC SAYS THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. WE DISCOVERED ONLINE THERE WAS A RECENTLY SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT A RECALL BY NISSAN HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. WHAT IS THE RECOURSE FOR OTHERS WHO ONLY RECENTLY LEARNED OF THIS PROBLEM AND ARE NOW FACING HIGH REPAIR COSTS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH CODE: PO463. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS (NATIONWIDE NISSAN, 2085 YORK RD, TIMONIUM, MD 21093) AND (ANTWERPEN NISSAN, 11405 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH CODE: PO463. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS (NATIONWIDE NISSAN, 2085 YORK RD, TIMONIUM, MD 21093) AND (ANTWERPEN NISSAN, 11405 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *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.
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
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.
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