IllustrationTHE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GAS WHEN THE TANK IS ACTUALLY EMPTY, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS AND STALLED IN MOVING TRAFFIC CAUSING A RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT. *TR
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
380–25K
13625–50K
14750–75K
14775–100K
191100–150K
61150K+
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.
12 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
237 reportsAT 49,000 MILES MY FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. IT HAS BEEN ERRATIC EVER SINCE, MOSTLY READING EMPTY. I HAD A FRIEND CHECK OUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE AND IT SAID IT WAS PO462, PO463 WHICH IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. THE ISS…
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AT 49,000 MILES MY FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. IT HAS BEEN ERRATIC EVER SINCE, MOSTLY READING EMPTY. I HAD A FRIEND CHECK OUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CODE AND IT SAID IT WAS PO462, PO463 WHICH IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. THE ISSUE HAS NEVER GONE AWAY AND CONTINUES TODAY. I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE IN MY TANK EXCEPT I KEEP TRACK ON THE ODOMETER HOW FAR I HAVE TRAVELED. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS A FEW TIMES ON THE ROAD NOT KNOWING I WAS ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF GAS. I ALSO DISCOVERED MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NISSAN WANTS OVER $700 TO FIX IT. I THOUGHT THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER THE FUEL CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD NO. I WENT BACK TO A NISSAN DEALER AS I HAVE IN THE PAST TO SEE IF A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND FOUND OUT RECENTLY THERE WAS. BUT WHEN THE DEALER CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAID MY XTERRA WAS JUST OUT SIDE THE RANGE OF VINS THAT WERE COVERED. THE SERVICE BULLETIN SAYS ALL-2005-2008 XTERRAS APPLIED VINS. I HAVE AN 2006. WHY IS MINE EXCLUDED?? ALSO I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR SMOGED IN MY STATE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR
FUEL GAUGE OF 2006 NISSAN XTERRA REPORTS WRONG FUEL LEVEL. IF THE FUEL DROPS BELOW 1/4 TANK THE CHECK ENGINE (CE) LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK IT TAKES ABOUT 20 MILES OF DRIVING FOR THE GAUGE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FULL (NOT INSTANTLY AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO). IF THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 300 MILES, AND THE TA…
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FUEL GAUGE OF 2006 NISSAN XTERRA REPORTS WRONG FUEL LEVEL. IF THE FUEL DROPS BELOW 1/4 TANK THE CHECK ENGINE (CE) LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK IT TAKES ABOUT 20 MILES OF DRIVING FOR THE GAUGE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO FULL (NOT INSTANTLY AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO). IF THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 300 MILES, AND THE TANK IS MAINTAINED ABOVE 1/4 TANK FULL THE CE LIGHT GOES OFF. AS SOON AS LEVEL DROPS BELOW 1/4 THE CE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE READ FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER AND TANK SEAL APRIL 2009. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE READ FULL WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER AND TANK SEAL APRIL 2009. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,833. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/16/10
MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY LIGHTS UP. WHEN I READ THE ERROR CODE IT IS P0463, WHICH INDICATES A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. I WILL RESET THE LIGHT AND IT WILL ILLUMINATE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC REASON FOR FAILURE OTHER THAN THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD NOT WRITE CONCERNING…
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MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPEATEDLY LIGHTS UP. WHEN I READ THE ERROR CODE IT IS P0463, WHICH INDICATES A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. I WILL RESET THE LIGHT AND IT WILL ILLUMINATE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC REASON FOR FAILURE OTHER THAN THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD NOT WRITE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT IT HAS BECOME SO COMMON THAT THERE ARE INTERNET BLOGS DEDICATED TO THE ISSUE. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES LIKE THE MURANO IN THE SAME YEAR OF PRODUCTION. THIS DEFECTIVE PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. PEOPLE RELY ON THEIR FUEL GAUGES TO DETERMINE IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO MAKE IT TO THEIR DESTINATION AND THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAVE A MOTORIST STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS OR INHOSPITABLE SITUATION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK). HE TOOK THE VEHILCE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION.HE HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ANY PROB…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK). HE TOOK THE VEHILCE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION.HE HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE BEFORE TAKING IT IN FOR THE RECALL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO DEAL WITH THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN HE CONFRONTED THE DEALER, HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WOULD NOTIFY HIM WHEN HE COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO THE DEALER. HE HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ THE TANK AS EMPTY. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL THAT DESCRIBED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ THE TANK AS EMPTY. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE FUEL TANK AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL THAT DESCRIBED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE HE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT DISPENSED FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK TO THE FULL CAPACITY LEVEL. HE OBSERVED THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT DISPENSED FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK TO THE FULL CAPACITY LEVEL. HE OBSERVED THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE/SENDER FAILURE AT 49K MILES WITH ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT PERMANENTLY ON. *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.