NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reports149,365 miles · Aug 26, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP ABRUPTLY AND WITH IMMINENT FAILURE. CHECKED COMPLAINTS AND DISCOVERED A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR FLUIDS INTERMIXING DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. MECHANIC VERIFIED THIS WAS MY PROBLEM AS WELL. NISSAN QUOTED $8500 REPAIR. SERVICE ADVISER AT NISSAN NORTH (OHIO) CONFIRM…
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TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP ABRUPTLY AND WITH IMMINENT FAILURE. CHECKED COMPLAINTS AND DISCOVERED A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR FLUIDS INTERMIXING DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. MECHANIC VERIFIED THIS WAS MY PROBLEM AS WELL. NISSAN QUOTED $8500 REPAIR. SERVICE ADVISER AT NISSAN NORTH (OHIO) CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. APPARENTLY NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT IN 2012 BUT DID NOT NOTIFY ANY OF THE OWNERS OF POTENTIAL FAILURE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS SYMPTOMS.I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER 3 MONTHS PRIOR AND THEY DID NOT NOTICE/NOTIFY ME OF ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES. TRANSMISSION FAILED ON A TRIP TO NEW YORK. I'M LOOKING AT A REPAIR BILL THAT POTENTIALLY EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF MY AUTOMOBILE. NISSAN HAS A MORAL AND A IMPLICIT OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, AS IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FAILURE AND SAVED NUMEROUS OWNERS OUTRAGEOUS REPAIR BILLS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537384
63,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000: 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 TH…
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NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000: 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. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. MY VEHICLE WAS DENIED COVERAGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT IN THE RECALL BATCH. AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER DIAGNOSED AND FIXED THE ISSUE. NISSAN AMERICA REVIEWED THE ISSUE AND STILL DENIED COVERAGE NOT BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS LEGITIMATE BUT RATHER BECAUSE OF THE VIN TECHNICALITY. VEHICLES IN MY VIN LOT NEED TO BE ADDED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536499
96,560 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 96,560 MILES EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE OF THE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536136
69,995 miles · Aug 15, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,995. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535531
100,000 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
CODE - P0463 - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REFLECT AN ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL. SADLY THIS CODE IS AN EVER COMMON CODE ACROSS ALL NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535389
115,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY TRANSMISSION WENT....THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND OVER TIME RUINED IT. BARELY MADE IT TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO CHARGED $3900 THAT I DIDN'T HAVE. THIS IS A NISSAN FAULT AND I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED, EVEN THOUGH I'M OVER THE ABSURD LOW MILEAGE LIMITS. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534930
170,000 miles · Aug 10, 2013
Steering
STEERING WHEEL WIGGLES IN EVERY DIRECTION. BECOMING LOOSER EVERYDAY. HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY STEERING BEARING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534662
96,500 miles · Aug 5, 2013
EnginePower Train
I HAD BEEN NOTICING A WHINING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSMISSION 'FLARE' ON ACCELERATION FOR SOME TIME, BUT ONLY IN MARCH 2013 WAS IT DIAGNOSED AT 96K MILES BY THE DEALERSHIP AS FAULTY TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 4 L ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THE FAULTY PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SOON. I CONTACTED NISSAN USA CO…
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I HAD BEEN NOTICING A WHINING NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSMISSION 'FLARE' ON ACCELERATION FOR SOME TIME, BUT ONLY IN MARCH 2013 WAS IT DIAGNOSED AT 96K MILES BY THE DEALERSHIP AS FAULTY TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 4 L ENGINE. THE DEALER SAID THE FAULTY PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SOON. I CONTACTED NISSAN USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT HAVING NISSAN PARTIALLY COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE FAULTY PARTS. DESPITE HAVING THE DEALERSHIP'S ORIGINAL REPORT AND ESTIMATE, NISSAN'S REGIONAL REP INSISTED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO RECONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS, WHICH WAS DONE. THE REP THEN REFUSED TO RETURN MY CALLS, AND DID NOT RESPOND TO DEALERSHIP QUERIES ABOUT THE REPAIRS EITHER. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE, AND FEARING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, I HAD THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SLAPPING AND ABOUT TO FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP URGED ME TO REPORT THE PROBLEM TO APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, LOCAL AND NISSAN OFFICIALS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533752
128,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013
Power Train
MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH. IT WOULD FIRST JERK FORWARD WHEN I WOULD GO FROM SLOWLY MOVING TO ACCELERATING, LIKE WHEN YOU BEGAN TO MOVE AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, YOU SLOWLY START TO MOVE AND THEN YOU PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD JERK FO…
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MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH. IT WOULD FIRST JERK FORWARD WHEN I WOULD GO FROM SLOWLY MOVING TO ACCELERATING, LIKE WHEN YOU BEGAN TO MOVE AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, YOU SLOWLY START TO MOVE AND THEN YOU PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD. THEN THE CAR HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING OUT OF 1ST GEAR BEFORE I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE AFTER LEAVING WORK. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE BACK ROUTE BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I STOPPED AT 2 MECHANICS ON THE WAY HOME. EACH TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FIXED AS THERE WAS A MIX OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A LEAK AND IT WOULD COST $5050. I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED! I HAD NOT ANY OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS AND THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED REGULARLY. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE ASM GUY, WHO CHECKED IN MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT WAS GOING ON AFTER THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT IT, WAS THIS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND HIS RESPONSE WAS, "IT HAPPENS BUT BETTER THAN BUYING A NEW CAR." IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. I THEN HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS IS WHEN I WAS TOLD OF THE RADIATOR LEAKS WITH SUBSEQUENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAS HAD NUMEROUS NISSANS WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND EVEN FINDING A USED OR REBUILT NISSAN IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND NOW. I AM JUST EXTREMELY BLESSED THAT I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY EITHER RAMMING INTO ANOTHER CAR OR THE CAR JUST STOPPING ON THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC. IF I NISSAN COULD HAVE NOTIFIED OWNERS BY MAIL OR DURING A SERVICE CHECK, I COULD HAVE HAD THE DEFECT FIXED BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. PLEASE REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THIS CARS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533640
43,000 miles · Aug 1, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING AT 43,000 MILES. THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED SHOWING INACCURATE AMOUNTS, THEN WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. READING THE NISSAN FORUMS, THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533145
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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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