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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 →

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.

12 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Fuel System, Other complaints

40 reports
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55,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Fuel System, Other

FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK IS OUT ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THIS IS UNDER RECALL ON CERTAIN MODEL/YEAR NISSANS AND MINE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHY MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THREE MONTHS AS THE COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $600 AS THE ENTIRE GAS TANK H…

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FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK IS OUT ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THIS IS UNDER RECALL ON CERTAIN MODEL/YEAR NISSANS AND MINE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHY MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THREE MONTHS AS THE COST OF REPAIR IS OVER $600 AS THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAS TO BE REMOVED (HAD LIGHT "READ" AND PROBLEM WAS FUEL SENDING UNIT". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340139

30,082 miles · May 21, 2010
Fuel System, Other

WE HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THAT WE JUST BOUGHT USED AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THERE IS A RECALL IN YOUR MARCH 2010 FOR THIS VEHICLE. I RAN THE VIN NUMBER AND THAT PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THE HAD ME DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WITH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND HE CONFIRMS IT IS THE …

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WE HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THAT WE JUST BOUGHT USED AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD AND THERE IS A RECALL IN YOUR MARCH 2010 FOR THIS VEHICLE. I RAN THE VIN NUMBER AND THAT PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THE HAD ME DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WITH OUR LOCAL DEALER AND HE CONFIRMS IT IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE GAUGE JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN SHOWS 1/4 TANK WHICH CAN BE DECEIVING AND DANGEROUS IF IT RUNS OUT OF GAS. THEY NISSAN ONLY OFFERED TO SPLIT COST OF THE REPAIR BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS OF THIS SAME VEHICLE UNDER RECALL BUT NOT MINE FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. THEY POINT TO THE FACT THAT THE NTBS HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. CAN YOU HELP THIS SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331623

25,000 miles · May 10, 2010
Fuel System, Other

AFTER FUELING MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA,THE FUEL LIGHT READ EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR TURNED ON. FAILED EMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329731

73,829 miles · May 7, 2010
Fuel System, Other

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I TOOK IT TO DEALER IN RESPONSE TO 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE "FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE THE FUEL TANK". IN RESEARCHING THE NHTSA SITE I DISCOVE…

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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I TOOK IT TO DEALER IN RESPONSE TO 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE "FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE THE FUEL TANK". IN RESEARCHING THE NHTSA SITE I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR 2006 THROUGH 2008 NISSAN XTERRAS. UNFORTUNATELY MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED WITHIN THIS CAMPAIGN. I WOULD SUBMIT THAT IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT MY VEHICLE BE INCLUDED CONSIDERING THE NATURE OF THE MALFUNCTION. PLEASE CONSIDER EXTENDING THE COVERAGE THAT THOSE WITHIN MY VIN GROUPING MAY RECEIVE NOTIFICATION AND REPAIR. THANK YOU. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329295

44,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE FUEL GUAGE DID NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE FUEL TANK; AT TIMES, IT WOULD FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FUEL, THE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL WAS FULL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYTIME THE CONTACT FUELED THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE FUEL GUAGE DID NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE FUEL TANK; AT TIMES, IT WOULD FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FUEL, THE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL WAS FULL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYTIME THE CONTACT FUELED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,783. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10327537

50,000 miles · Mar 30, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

MANY NISSAN 2006 XTERRA'S RECALLED FOR FUEL SENDING DEVICE NOT WORKING, IN OTHER WORDS, GAS GAGE DOES NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THEY ARE KEEPING RECORDS OF THOE NOT RECALLED, MAY BE FUTURE RECALLS. FUEL GAGE DOES NOT WORK. THEIR SONSUMER COMPLAINT LINE SAID STICK A STICK DOWN GAS TANK LINE TO SEE IF HAVE GAS, RIDICU…

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MANY NISSAN 2006 XTERRA'S RECALLED FOR FUEL SENDING DEVICE NOT WORKING, IN OTHER WORDS, GAS GAGE DOES NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THEY ARE KEEPING RECORDS OF THOE NOT RECALLED, MAY BE FUTURE RECALLS. FUEL GAGE DOES NOT WORK. THEIR SONSUMER COMPLAINT LINE SAID STICK A STICK DOWN GAS TANK LINE TO SEE IF HAVE GAS, RIDICULOUS. HOW DO I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10322936

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2010
Fuel System, Other

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH FUEL GAUGE MISREADING PROBLEM. ONE DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE METER DROPPED DOWN TO EMPTY AND LIGHT CAME ON DESPITE I HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. EVER SINCE THEN I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK.…

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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH FUEL GAUGE MISREADING PROBLEM. ONE DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE METER DROPPED DOWN TO EMPTY AND LIGHT CAME ON DESPITE I HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. EVER SINCE THEN I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS A QUARTER TANK, IT'S LITERALLY EMPTY, AND WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK, IT TAKES HOURS TO READ FULL TANK. I HAVE RESEARCHED ARTICLES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED THE NISSAN HQ BUT THEY SAID MY VIN IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL MODELS, BUT ON THE WEBSITE (HTTP://WWW.AUTOBUYGUIDE.COM/2006/12-AUT/NISSAN/XTERRA/RECALLS/INDEX.HTML ) IT SPECIFICALLY LISTS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING AND ARE UNDER RECALL MODELS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL XTERRA OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE INCONVENIENCE AND ARE NOT VERY HAPPY. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST NISSAN I WILL PURCHASE. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321871

27,000 miles · Mar 23, 2010
Fuel System, Other

FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED WITH 27,000 MILES. IN EARLIER XTERRA'S THEIR IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND I MUST GET IT REPLACED BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE TANK AND OR THE READING WILL BE ERRONIOUS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO RUN OUT OF GAS AT ANY TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10321587

60,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Fuel System, Other

MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA CONSISTENTLY SHOWS NO FUEL IN THE GAS TANK WHEN I KNOW THERE IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314070

67,600 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL SENDING PUMP FAILS TO REGISTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS CAUSED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN OTHER 2006 XTERRAS BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT QUALIFIED BECAUSE I HAVE ONE OF THE "NEW PUMPS" THAT ISN'T DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TH…

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FUEL SENDING PUMP FAILS TO REGISTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS CAUSED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN OTHER 2006 XTERRAS BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT QUALIFIED BECAUSE I HAVE ONE OF THE "NEW PUMPS" THAT ISN'T DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE PUMPS IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IS WHY IS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUT MY VIN DOESN'T QUALIFY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297288

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.

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

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.