NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reports39,500 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
AFTER FILLING UP, THE FUEL GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THIS PROBLEM WILL CORRECT ITSELF AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS. HOWEVER, WHEN A FILL UP IS NEEDED AGAIN, SAME PROBLEM PERSISTED. I HAVE ONLY 39K ON THE VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND THE DEALER IS NOW TELLING ME THAT THE FIX IS $400 …
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AFTER FILLING UP, THE FUEL GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. THIS PROBLEM WILL CORRECT ITSELF AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS. HOWEVER, WHEN A FILL UP IS NEEDED AGAIN, SAME PROBLEM PERSISTED. I HAVE ONLY 39K ON THE VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND THE DEALER IS NOW TELLING ME THAT THE FIX IS $400 - $600 FOR A NEW FUEL SENSOR. THE SAFETY COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THAT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED IS VERY REAL. AFTER CHECKING OUT MANY ONLINE FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A TREND WITH LATER MODEL NISSAN XTERRAS, FRONTIERS AND PATHFINDERS. A RECALL IS BADLY NEEDED FOR THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR UNIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315287
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
72,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STARTED MOVING AROUND ERRATICALLY ROUGHLY 8 MONTHS AGO ON A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. NOW THE GAUGE ALMOST ALWAYS READS EMPTY WHICH IN TURN KEEPS MY LOW FUEL LIGHT ON. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. THEREFORE, I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY VEHICLE UNLESS I TRACK MILEAGE AND THIS I…
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FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STARTED MOVING AROUND ERRATICALLY ROUGHLY 8 MONTHS AGO ON A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. NOW THE GAUGE ALMOST ALWAYS READS EMPTY WHICH IN TURN KEEPS MY LOW FUEL LIGHT ON. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO TRIGGERED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. THEREFORE, I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN MY VEHICLE UNLESS I TRACK MILEAGE AND THIS IS NOT COMPLETELY ACCURATE. ALSO I WOULD NOT KNOW IF ANYTHING ELSE MIGHT BE WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE SINCE MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310505
48,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
AROUND 48,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN AROUND 49,000 MILES MY GAS HAND WOULD DROP EVEN IF I HAD HALF A TANK OF GAS IN IT. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I'VE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WHERE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WANTED TO DOCUMENT MY PROBLEM …
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AROUND 48,000 MILES, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN AROUND 49,000 MILES MY GAS HAND WOULD DROP EVEN IF I HAD HALF A TANK OF GAS IN IT. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I'VE SEEN ON THE INTERNET WHERE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND WANTED TO DOCUMENT MY PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308913
83,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
NHTSA ODI #10306628
64,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD, 4X4. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR OR SENDING UNIT IS FAILED CAUSING THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE TO READ INCORRECTLY, OR ALWAYS READ "EMPTY". THIS COULD LEAD TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AT A DANGEROUS TIME. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND LIKE VEHICLES IN THIS RANGE OF MODEL YEARS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAM…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD, 4X4. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR OR SENDING UNIT IS FAILED CAUSING THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE TO READ INCORRECTLY, OR ALWAYS READ "EMPTY". THIS COULD LEAD TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AT A DANGEROUS TIME. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND LIKE VEHICLES IN THIS RANGE OF MODEL YEARS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD THEIR REPAIRS COVERED BY NISSAN OTHERS HAVE NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304469
28,200 miles · Feb 1, 2010
Steering
ATTENTION FOR NISSAN XTERRA 2006 & UP I WORK IN A MECHANIC SHOP IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WE HAD RECEIVED 2 NISSAN XTERRA WITH THE STEERING COLUMN BROKEN , WHAT HAPPENED IS THE BEARINGS THAT MAKES THE STEERING COLUMN TURN BROKE AND ALL THE PARTS GOES TO THE SHAFT (THE STEERING WHEEL GOES CRAZY) IS VERY , VERY DANGEROUS . I WROTE…
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ATTENTION FOR NISSAN XTERRA 2006 & UP I WORK IN A MECHANIC SHOP IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WE HAD RECEIVED 2 NISSAN XTERRA WITH THE STEERING COLUMN BROKEN , WHAT HAPPENED IS THE BEARINGS THAT MAKES THE STEERING COLUMN TURN BROKE AND ALL THE PARTS GOES TO THE SHAFT (THE STEERING WHEEL GOES CRAZY) IS VERY , VERY DANGEROUS . I WROTE TO NISSAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY NEVER ANSWER ME THE PART # IS 48810-EA300 BOTH VEHICLE WERE 28,000 MILES & 80,000 MILES--- YOU NEED TO CHECK THIS VERY CAREFULLY!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303664
45,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN AN 06 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 45K MILES. AFTER TOPPING OFF MY FUEL TANK WITH EXXON FUEL (NOT A DISCOUNT FUEL), MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT SHOW FULL. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE GAUGE EVENTUALLY CREPT TO READ NEARLY FULL, HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER SOME RESEARC…
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I OWN AN 06 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 45K MILES. AFTER TOPPING OFF MY FUEL TANK WITH EXXON FUEL (NOT A DISCOUNT FUEL), MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT SHOW FULL. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE GAUGE EVENTUALLY CREPT TO READ NEARLY FULL, HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. AFTER SOME RESEARCH APPARENTLY THE FUEL TANKS SENDING UNIT IS AT FAULT AND WAS A RECALLED ITEM ON NISSAN XTERRAS PRODUCED BEFORE MINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302344
48,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE ISSUE. THE NISSAN XTERRA IS EXACTLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ABOUT 48,0000 MILE ON IT. A FEW DAYS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CODE READERS SAYS P0463 - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT PROBLEM 1) OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT 2)POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 3) FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND …
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FUEL GAUGE ISSUE. THE NISSAN XTERRA IS EXACTLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ABOUT 48,0000 MILE ON IT. A FEW DAYS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CODE READERS SAYS P0463 - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT PROBLEM 1) OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT 2)POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 3) FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSAN XTERRA'S, PATHFINDERS, AND FRONTIERS. I READ THERE WAS A RECALL ON OLDER MODELS BUT HAVEN'T CONFIRMED IT YET. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO A PROBLEM AS PEOPLE RUN OUT GAS WHEN THEY DON'T EXPECT TOO - OR ELSE THEY HAVE TO PAY $600 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE GAS TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302241
39,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA HAS FAILED AND MY FUEL GAUGE IS INOPERABLE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY 1000'S OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN IS IGNORING THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/XTERRA/4151-FUEL-GAUGE-PROBLEM-SERVIC…
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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA HAS FAILED AND MY FUEL GAUGE IS INOPERABLE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY 1000'S OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN IS IGNORING THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/XTERRA/4151-FUEL-GAUGE-PROBLEM-SERVICE-ENGINE-SOON-LIGHT.HTML. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10301710
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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