Illustration2006 NISSAN FUEL GAUGE SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK COULD ACTUALLY BE EMPTY. *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
What owners actually said
780 reportsJUNE 2, 2009 I HAD TO HAVE MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA TO VICTORY NISSAN IN MECHANICSVILLE, VA AFTER BEING TOLD BY NISSAN'S RECALL REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL. MY FUEL-LINE BURST AND SPEWED GAS IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT COST ME $310.58 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. JUNE 7, 2010 THE FUELINE BURST IN THE…
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JUNE 2, 2009 I HAD TO HAVE MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA TO VICTORY NISSAN IN MECHANICSVILLE, VA AFTER BEING TOLD BY NISSAN'S RECALL REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL. MY FUEL-LINE BURST AND SPEWED GAS IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT COST ME $310.58 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. JUNE 7, 2010 THE FUELINE BURST IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE, THIS TIME SPRAYING ME IN THE FACE WITH GASOLINE WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD-LUCKILY I WAS WEARING EYEGLASSES. AGAIN I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL THAT THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE REASON ESCAPES ME AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH WITH POTENTIAL FIRE AND PHYSICAL INJURY. NOBODY HAS BEEN HURT SO FAR WITH THIS ISSUE. IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, MY FUEL GAUGE THAT IS A KNOWN HAZARD BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND I WAS TOLD THAT XTERRAS WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DO NOT FALL UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL THAT NISSAN HAS ON THIS ISSUE. THEIR REASON FOR THE RECALL IS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE COULD READ AT 1/4 FULL BUT BE EMPTY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I GUESS MY CAR WILL NOT RUN OUT OF GAS AND CAUSE CRASHES ACCORDING TO NISSAN, RIGHT? *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 70K MILES ON IT. MY GAS TANK WAS UNDER 1/4 OF A TANK. I FILLED UP AND WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TIGHTENED MY GAS CAP AND THE LIGHT STILL REMAINS. MY GAS TANK HAD ALSO SHOWED THAT I HAD AN EMPTY TANK. IT TOOK A DAY OR SO OF DRIVING UNTIL THE GAUGE SHO…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 70K MILES ON IT. MY GAS TANK WAS UNDER 1/4 OF A TANK. I FILLED UP AND WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TIGHTENED MY GAS CAP AND THE LIGHT STILL REMAINS. MY GAS TANK HAD ALSO SHOWED THAT I HAD AN EMPTY TANK. IT TOOK A DAY OR SO OF DRIVING UNTIL THE GAUGE SHOWED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS. *TR
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
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FUEL GAUGE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY ON MAY 12, 2010 AND WOULD NOT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FUEL GAUGE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY ON MAY 12, 2010 AND WOULD NOT GIVE AN ACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE ANOTHER FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS INSTALLED. THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,500. UPDATED EVOQ 02.18.11
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE ON MY CURRENT 2006 XTERRA IM AT 39000 MILES AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT. WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM IS 36000 MILES. THEY EVEN TRIED TO BS ME WHEN I SAID THERE IS EVEN A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS COMMON REPAIR. THIS IS HOW IT WENT: ME - IS THERE A CURRENT RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A FUEL SE…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE ON MY CURRENT 2006 XTERRA IM AT 39000 MILES AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT. WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM IS 36000 MILES. THEY EVEN TRIED TO BS ME WHEN I SAID THERE IS EVEN A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS COMMON REPAIR. THIS IS HOW IT WENT: ME - IS THERE A CURRENT RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE OR DTC P0461/2/3 DEALER - LET ME CHECK SIR. ME - THANKS DEALER - NO SIR ME - I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE I HAVE IT IN MY HAND IT IS NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069B DEALER - I DO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION ON ME - SERVICE BULLETINS ARE CREATED FOR COMMON REPAIRS SO I KNOW IM NOT THAT ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
THE 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
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 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
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.