TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 86,000.
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reports2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 58,000 MILES, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THI…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 58,000 MILES, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. NISSAN CORP. WAS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB UPDATED 10/22/10*JB
A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDER/XTERRA/FRONTIERS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IS THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA A PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM THAT PASSES THROUGH THE RADIATOR. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST COMMON WITH 2005 TO 2008 MODEL NISSANS. THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS FAILURE I…
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A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDER/XTERRA/FRONTIERS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, IS THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA A PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM THAT PASSES THROUGH THE RADIATOR. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST COMMON WITH 2005 TO 2008 MODEL NISSANS. THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS FAILURE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT 40-50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS FROM 4TH TO OVERDRIVE (5TH) GEAR. AT THIS POINT THE DAMAGE, APPARENTLY, HAS BEEN DONE. IN WORST CASE SITUATIONS THE VEHICLES CAN FALL INTO "SAFE MODE" CAUSING THE VEHICLE'S OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO UNDESIRED TRANSMISSION OPERATION. BY VISITING MANY NISSAN OWNER FORUMS AND INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES, THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM FOR NISSAN OWNERS. IT HAS BEEN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT NISSAN HAS MADE NO OFFER OF ASSISTANCE FOR MOST CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS AND IS A DESIGN FLAW BY NISSAN AND/OR ITS PARTS VENDORS AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO VEHICLE OWNERS. NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE RADIATORS ON ALL MODELS EFFECTED AND SHOULD REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS IN ANY VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATES FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO WORK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENDER. ALSO, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. *JB RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS ON THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED, BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATES FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO WORK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENDER. ALSO, THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. *JB RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS ON THE VEHICLE. THE REPLACEMENT WAS REQUIRED, BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TENSIONERS THAT HELD THE TIMING CHAIN IN PLACE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS, THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE ADJUSTERS WERE CAUSED BY WEAR AND CRACKS ON THE PARTS. UPDATED 06/10/13
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGAINST MANUFACTURER REGARDING FAULTY RADIATORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND IT IS LEAKING, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. WHEN THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT DESTROYED THE COOLING SYSTEM…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGAINST MANUFACTURER REGARDING FAULTY RADIATORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND IT IS LEAKING, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. WHEN THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT DESTROYED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND CONSEQUENTLY THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
1: 2006 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND STARTED LEAKING MILKY RAINBOW COLORED OIL. 2: HAPPENS IN FIRST GEAR ALL THE TIME NOW. TOOK IT IN TO SHOP WHEN IT STARTED. 3: REPAIR SHOP SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE RADIATOR HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. $7000. GOT A QUOTE FOR $5700 AND WILL BE T…
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1: 2006 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND STARTED LEAKING MILKY RAINBOW COLORED OIL. 2: HAPPENS IN FIRST GEAR ALL THE TIME NOW. TOOK IT IN TO SHOP WHEN IT STARTED. 3: REPAIR SHOP SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE RADIATOR HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. $7000. GOT A QUOTE FOR $5700 AND WILL BE TAKING IT THERE TOMORROW. *TR
I BOUGHT A NEW NISSAN XTERRA FROM SLOANE NISSAN IN 2006, AFTER 70+ MILES, THE CAR VIBRATES AT AROUND 40MPH WHILE SHIFTING AUTOMATIC GEAR (I DID NOT KNOW WHY IT WAS VIBRATING). FINALLY AFT 80+ MILES, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO ONLY FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IS A SHAME, I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR THE C…
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I BOUGHT A NEW NISSAN XTERRA FROM SLOANE NISSAN IN 2006, AFTER 70+ MILES, THE CAR VIBRATES AT AROUND 40MPH WHILE SHIFTING AUTOMATIC GEAR (I DID NOT KNOW WHY IT WAS VIBRATING). FINALLY AFT 80+ MILES, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO ONLY FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IS A SHAME, I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR THE CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO FIX IT. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER & FRONTIER. THE RADIATOR IS JUNK AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA THAT STALL OUT FOR NO REASON. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, OR AT STOP LIGHTS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY AND IT MAY EVEN GO WEEKS WITHOUT HAPPENING. OR IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES IN ONE DAY OR NOT AT ALL OTHER DAYS. VERY STRANGE. TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE. *TR
HEATER IN VEHICLE WENT OUT HAVE SPENT $999.79 BECAUSE PARTS MELTED NOW APPROX. 2 WEEKS AFTER PARTS REPLACED SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING AND NOW DEALER INFORMS ME I NEED A NEW BLOWER THAT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $414.63 AND I HAVE VERY LITTLE HEAT AGAIN. I FORESEE THIS AS A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD AND NISSAN NEEDS TO RE-DESIG…
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HEATER IN VEHICLE WENT OUT HAVE SPENT $999.79 BECAUSE PARTS MELTED NOW APPROX. 2 WEEKS AFTER PARTS REPLACED SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING AND NOW DEALER INFORMS ME I NEED A NEW BLOWER THAT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $414.63 AND I HAVE VERY LITTLE HEAT AGAIN. I FORESEE THIS AS A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD AND NISSAN NEEDS TO RE-DESIGN THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I AM TALKING WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND SERVICE MANAGER BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME I AM OUT OF WARRANTY . VEHICLE HAD 83,533 MILES WHEN TOOK IT TO SHOP FIRST TIME THEY ALSO REPLACED THE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS CRACKED. *TR
NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT. I HAD JUST UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, AND DROVE 15 MILES AND PULLED OVER TO USE THE PHONE. LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE, AND ILLOGICAL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED BACK…
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NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT. I HAD JUST UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, AND DROVE 15 MILES AND PULLED OVER TO USE THE PHONE. LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE, AND ILLOGICAL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED BACK ON...SAME THING. DROVE TO GAS STATION, FILLED UP, MADE SURE CLICKED THE GAS CAP THREE TIMES FOR PROPER SEAL. GAUGE READ THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, BUT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS STILL LIT. *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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