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2007 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →
557Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
84
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
200938
2010
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
231Fuel System, Gasoline
136Engine
85Engine And Engine Cooling
75Fuel/propulsion System
63
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
32Unknown Or Other
30Electrical System
27Air Bags
26Suspension
11Vehicle Speed Control
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
6Steering
6Structure
5Service Brakes
4Wheels
3Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Exterior Lighting
1Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Diesel
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Tires
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

498 reports with mileage · 59 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 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

231 reports
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130,649 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE, NISSAN COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND REFUSE TO DO A RECALL AND REFUSE TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AS FOR ME I AM PRE-MED AND I NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET TO SCHOOL AND WORK I AS CAREGIVER FOR AN ELDERLY MAN AND WOMAN SO NOT A VERY MUCH OF …

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TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILURE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE, NISSAN COMPANY IS WELL AWARE OF THESE ISSUES AND REFUSE TO DO A RECALL AND REFUSE TO LET THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. AS FOR ME I AM PRE-MED AND I NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET TO SCHOOL AND WORK I AS CAREGIVER FOR AN ELDERLY MAN AND WOMAN SO NOT A VERY MUCH OF AN INCOME SO I DEPEND ON MY CAR ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A NOISE AT THE BACK END SHUDDERED AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS I TOOK IT IN ON MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413670

67,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Power Train

2007 NISSAN XTERRA POWER TRAIN/TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE REPAIR IS A MAJOR COST FROM $1600 TO $2500 TO REPAIR IT WAS SLIGHTLY OVER THE MAINTENANCE WHEN PROBLEM DISCOVERED BY NISSAN ON A REGULAR SERVICE VISIT. A CLAIM WITH NISSAN CORP. WAS MADE AND INITIALLY DENIED AFTE…

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2007 NISSAN XTERRA POWER TRAIN/TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THE REPAIR IS A MAJOR COST FROM $1600 TO $2500 TO REPAIR IT WAS SLIGHTLY OVER THE MAINTENANCE WHEN PROBLEM DISCOVERED BY NISSAN ON A REGULAR SERVICE VISIT. A CLAIM WITH NISSAN CORP. WAS MADE AND INITIALLY DENIED AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WORRIED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD GO. I CONTINUED TO FIGHT THE DENIAL AND COMPLY WITH ALL THEIR REQUEST TO OBTAIN RECORDS ON ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TO VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY RESPONDED AND ONLY PAID A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. THE REPAIR COST WAS STILL AN ECONOMIC BURDEN. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME ESPECIALLY BEING A LOYAL CUSTOMER FOR MANY YEARS. I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW NISSAN TREATS THEIR CUSTOMERS AND WILL NEVER PURCHASE A NISSAN VEHICLE AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407205

20,000 miles · Jun 5, 2011
Power Train

OK THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL AND ALL THE OTHER CLUTCH PARTS WITH NEW OEM PARTS SO WE WILL SEE HOW MANY MILES I GET THIS TIME BEFORE IT BRAKES DOWN AGAIN. IT IS MID APRIL AND CAR IS STILL ROLLING. I HAVE 2 MORE YRS BEFORE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRES AND DEALER MANAGER SAID THAT IT WILL BE COVER AND REPLACED …

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OK THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL AND ALL THE OTHER CLUTCH PARTS WITH NEW OEM PARTS SO WE WILL SEE HOW MANY MILES I GET THIS TIME BEFORE IT BRAKES DOWN AGAIN. IT IS MID APRIL AND CAR IS STILL ROLLING. I HAVE 2 MORE YRS BEFORE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRES AND DEALER MANAGER SAID THAT IT WILL BE COVER AND REPLACED IF IT BRAKES DOWN BEFORE THAT. HOPE I WON'T HAVE TO PROVE WITH THE EDMUNDS XTERRA FORUM PRINT OUTS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM IN MY CAR. MY GAS SENSOR WAS ALSO REPLACED WHILE THEY WORK ON MY CAR....SO SO FAR I AM GLAD WITH ANCHORAGE, ALASKA NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404477

104,739 miles · May 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING HARD ESPECIALLY IN OVERDRIVE. SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON 4/4/11. ADDED COOLANT TO GET TO GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND IT PUT COOLANT INTO…

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NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING HARD ESPECIALLY IN OVERDRIVE. SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON 4/4/11. ADDED COOLANT TO GET TO GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER AND IT PUT COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $7400. I CALLED THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME IT WAS A NISSAN ISSUE. CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SUPPORT FILED A COMPLAINT. AFTER REVIEWING MY COMPLAINT THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY NISSAN'S FROM 2005 -2007 WITH THIS FAILURE. NISSAN IS IGNORING THE ISSUE. CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THEY ARE INVESTIGATING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN SINCE 4/5/11. WE FEEL THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399094

35,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Power Train

BATTERY DIED. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS "STUCK" IN 4TH GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE BODY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS 31/2 YEARS OLD AND THE VALVE BODY WAS CORRODED. HAD TO BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE PART FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THERE HAS TO BE MANY OF THESE CARS HAVI…

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BATTERY DIED. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS "STUCK" IN 4TH GEAR. HAD TO HAVE THE VALVE BODY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS 31/2 YEARS OLD AND THE VALVE BODY WAS CORRODED. HAD TO BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST FOR THE PART FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THERE HAS TO BE MANY OF THESE CARS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IF THERE IS A WAITING LIST FOR THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354456

41,000 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Power Train

I DRIVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA AT 41000 MILES THE CLUTCH IN MY STANDARD TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER (I PURCHASED A 60,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY) THEY CHARGED ME 135$ TO REMOVE ONE EASILY ACCESSIBLE BOLT AND TELL ME MY CLUTCH WAS BAD (I TOLD THEM THIS BEFORE I HANDED THEM THE KEYS) AND NOT COVERED B…

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I DRIVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA AT 41000 MILES THE CLUTCH IN MY STANDARD TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER (I PURCHASED A 60,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY) THEY CHARGED ME 135$ TO REMOVE ONE EASILY ACCESSIBLE BOLT AND TELL ME MY CLUTCH WAS BAD (I TOLD THEM THIS BEFORE I HANDED THEM THE KEYS) AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AS IT IS A ?WARE PART?. AS THE CLUTCH IS PART OF THE POWER TRAIN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR 40+ MILES TO MY GARAGE BUT HAD TO BUY AN AFTERMARKET CLUTCH AFTER RESEARCHING AND FINDING THE FACTORY PART IS DEFECTIVE AND MANY HAVE HAD IT GO BAD AFTER 10,000 MILES OR LESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345090

60,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE EIGHTEEN MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND R…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE EIGHTEEN MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC THAT PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE CLUTCH AGAIN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER FUSES BECAME INOPERABLE. WHEN HE CONSULTED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN BLOWER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUSE FAILED AGAIN AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR TWICE. THE DEALER ALSO SUSPECTED THAT AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR BUT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF JUNE 2010. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT HIS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED; THEREFORE, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10332637

83,683 miles · May 16, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2007 NISSAN XTERRA RADIATOR FAILED MIXED ANTI-FREEZE WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN MIDDLE OF DANGEROUS INTERSECTION NO WARNING! $5000.00 TO REPAIR. NISSAN AND DEALER SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE BY NISSAN TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330630

28,450 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Power Train

MY XTERRA COULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MPH. THE CLUTCH FELT FUNNY LIKE IT WAS LOOSE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT IF FROM AND THEY SAID THE CLUTCH HAS TO BE REPLACED. IT HAS JUST OVER 28,000 MILES AND I BOUGHT THE 2007 XTERRA BRAND NEW. A CLUTCH SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 3 YEARS! I PAID OVER $1,600.00 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321080

80,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE CORRODES AND RUINS THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315586

Official recalls

1

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.