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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

What owners actually said

557 reports
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RANDOMLY STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RANDOMLY STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/05/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10870740

84,000 miles · May 24, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE AND THE RADIATOR FAILED AND NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE AND THE RADIATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10870685

123,000 miles · May 20, 2016
Engine

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE RADIATOR LEAKED. I HAD NO IDEA THAT IN 2013 THEY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD COMING OFF OF A HIGHWAY ONTO A ROTARY AND MY CAR SHIFTED DOWN AND I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO MOVE MO…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE RADIATOR LEAKED. I HAD NO IDEA THAT IN 2013 THEY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD COMING OFF OF A HIGHWAY ONTO A ROTARY AND MY CAR SHIFTED DOWN AND I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO MOVE MORE THAN 10MPH WHILE WE WERE IN INCOMING TRAFFIC. NISSAN WILL NOT RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SETTLED THE LAWSUIT EXTENDING THE WARRANTIES WITH A $3000 COPAY. IT'S CRIMINAL.

NHTSA ODI #10869991

95,000 miles · May 19, 2016
Power Train

I BOUGHT NISSAN XTERRA WITH 94,000MILLES ON IT. ONE MONTH LATER, I NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS FILED WITH TYPE OF MILKY SUBSTANCE. I TOOK IT TO THE MECANIC, HE FLUSHED THE RAIDIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF CROSS CONTAMINATIONS. THE VEHICULE WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, FEW DAYS LATER M…

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I BOUGHT NISSAN XTERRA WITH 94,000MILLES ON IT. ONE MONTH LATER, I NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS FILED WITH TYPE OF MILKY SUBSTANCE. I TOOK IT TO THE MECANIC, HE FLUSHED THE RAIDIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF CROSS CONTAMINATIONS. THE VEHICULE WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, FEW DAYS LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. I STRUGGLED TO PUT ON THE SIDE, THANX GOD NOBODY WAS HURT. TRANSMISSION GONE. I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE MECANIC AND I HAD TO SPENT 3K TO GET IT FIX. IT SEENS THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSABILITY FOR THIS CAR

NHTSA ODI #10865882

89,402 miles · May 4, 2016
Power Train

WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION ON 07 NISSAN XTERRA. FOUND A LAWSUIT THAT HAD BEEN SETTLED WITH NISSAN INVOLVING FACTORY DEFECTS OF THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER WHICH LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS TRANSMISSION. TOOK AN OIL SAMPLE FROM MY VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS ANTIFREEZE IN THE OIL.…

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WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH TRANSMISSION ON 07 NISSAN XTERRA. FOUND A LAWSUIT THAT HAD BEEN SETTLED WITH NISSAN INVOLVING FACTORY DEFECTS OF THE RADIATOR OIL COOLER WHICH LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS TRANSMISSION. TOOK AN OIL SAMPLE FROM MY VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS ANTIFREEZE IN THE OIL. TOOK MY VEHICLE AND THE OIL SAMPLE INTO NISSAN SO THAT MY TRANSMISSION COULD BE REPLACED. ($2500 COST TO ME PER THE NISSAN LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT) SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED BACK AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT WITHOUT DROPPING THE TRANSMISSION THAT THEY COULD TELL THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF MY FAILED TRANSMISSION. AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ADMITTED THAT THEY COULDN'T TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE OF MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT MY OIL SAMPLE PROVED THAT THE FACTORY DEFECT WAS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE, HE THEN PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN THAT THEY HAD TO FOLLOW NISSAN PROCEDURE WHICH WAS A VISUAL INSPECTION. MY OIL SAMPLE TRUMPED THEIR VISUAL INSPECTION BUT THEY STILL REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE EVEN UNDER THE LAWS OF THE NISSAN SETTLEMENT WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER MY VEHICLE. I FIRST STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING, MY XTERRA ALMOST DOESN'T EVEN RUN NOW AND IS DEFINITELY NOT ROAD SAFE ANY MORE YET NISSAN STILL WON'T FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10863148

140,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Power Train

WHEN I AM DRIVINGING AT A SLOW SPEED , MY TRANSMISSION MAKES A NOISE AND THEN FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE, NOW I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS FLUID LEAKING FROM MY RADIATOR. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING AND REALIZISED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT IS BEING REPORTED BY MANY NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS AND THAT NISSION HAS…

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WHEN I AM DRIVINGING AT A SLOW SPEED , MY TRANSMISSION MAKES A NOISE AND THEN FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE, NOW I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE IS FLUID LEAKING FROM MY RADIATOR. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING AND REALIZISED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT IS BEING REPORTED BY MANY NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS AND THAT NISSION HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE 2007 , WHEN I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED MY XTERRA . NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUE IS , THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING FLUID IN TO MY TRANSMISSION AND IS DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR . IN DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING , AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS OCCURS , I'M FRIGHTENED TO EVEN DRIVE MY XTERRA AT THIS POINT . CONSIDERING THAT NISSAN TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY IN WHAT SHOULD CLEARLY BE A RECALL , I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I'VE JUST RECENTLY PAID OFF , THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AND DO NOT HAVE $4,700 TO HAVE THE RADIOS AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED . THERE WAS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED AT ALL . I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY NISSAN AND THOUGHT I HAD MADE A WELL INFORMED DECISION IN MY PURCHASE . I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY AGAIN . I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE SITUATION NISSAN HAS PUT MYSELF AND APPARENTLY MANY , MANY OTHERS IN . NO WAY TO DO BUSINESS .

NHTSA ODI #10862939

150,000 miles · May 1, 2016
Power Train

CAR BEGAN TO GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ON HIGHWAY 500 MILES FROM HOME. SCARED MY FAMILY TO DEATH. LOST POWER AT A HIGH SPEED. PROBLEM EBBED BUT CONTINUED ALL THE WAY HOME. NISSAN STATED RADIATOR FLUID HAD GOTTEN INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION LINE THAT WAS PASSING THROUGH THE RADIATOR. SAME NISSAN' DEALER'S CHEAPES…

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CAR BEGAN TO GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ON HIGHWAY 500 MILES FROM HOME. SCARED MY FAMILY TO DEATH. LOST POWER AT A HIGH SPEED. PROBLEM EBBED BUT CONTINUED ALL THE WAY HOME. NISSAN STATED RADIATOR FLUID HAD GOTTEN INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION LINE THAT WAS PASSING THROUGH THE RADIATOR. SAME NISSAN' DEALER'S CHEAPEST SOLUTION WAS TO PUT A USED TRANSMISSION IN FOR $3,500 PLUS LABOR. I CONTRACTED WITH A PRIVATE MECHANIC. I ALSO PURCHASED A SEPARATE SYSTEM TO ROUTE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CORRECTLY IN THE FUTURE. MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE CLUTCHES WHICH WERE DESTROYED. HE MAY STILL HAVE THEM.

NHTSA ODI #10862405

179,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TRIED TO START CAR AND JUMPED CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND RADIATOR FLUIDS HAD COMBINED AND CORRUPTED THE COMPUTER THAT STARTS THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10861526

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT 76000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $1200.

NHTSA ODI #10860272

147,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Power TrainCrash

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR DOWN INTERSTATE...DURING RUSH HR SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS... PUTTING MY WIFE'S LIFE IN DANGER.... THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE.... THANKS

NHTSA ODI #10855038

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.