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2008 Dodge Nitro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Nitro years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Nitro are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

319 reports with mileage · 74 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 198 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports12 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

393 reports
131,580 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS TANK OVERFLOWS AFTER GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF

NHTSA ODI #11266441

253,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingPower Train

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WIPERS AND LIGHTS WOULD JUMP ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TIPM AND ESP ICON LIT UP ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE). DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING …

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VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WIPERS AND LIGHTS WOULD JUMP ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TIPM AND ESP ICON LIT UP ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE). DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AS IT WAS PROGRAMMED TO DO. FUNCTIONS ON KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKED AS THEY SHOULD (LOCK BUTTON WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS AND UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC START). I REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE KEY FOB AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO ONCE THE FOB STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 3.5 WEEKS AFTER ELECTRICAL ISSUES GOT WORSE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND IT SEEMS THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO ARE VERY COMMON AMONGST OTHER DODGE DRIVERS AS WELL AS CHRYSLER 300 DRIVERS. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR CHRYSLER 300S (OLDER 2007 MODELS). A RECALL NEEDS TO BE STARTED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES BECAUSE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES IN THIS STATE ARE HIGHLY UNSAFE. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (ABOUT 530ISH ONE MORNING) AND THE ABS, ESP, TIPM, AND AIRBAG ICON ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY TRUCK STARTED STALLING OUT. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND IT'S BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF AND ONCE THESE LIGHTS COME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11253068

97,000 miles · Aug 29, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN SOUNDS INDEPENDENTLY AND REMAINED ACTIVATED, THE RADIO TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE FASTER THAN NORMAL, AND THE SPEED DECREASED FROM 60 TO 40 MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND JERK. IN ADDITION, THE LIFTGATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN SOUNDS INDEPENDENTLY AND REMAINED ACTIVATED, THE RADIO TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATE FASTER THAN NORMAL, AND THE SPEED DECREASED FROM 60 TO 40 MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE AND JERK. IN ADDITION, THE LIFTGATE INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS OPEN WHEN IT REALLY WAS NOT AND THE ESP, CHECK ENGINE, AIR BAG, AND NO FUSE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FURTHERMORE, THE DOOR LOCKS WERE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT CALLED SHERMAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (7601 SKOKIE BLVD, SKOKIE, IL 60077, (847) 262-3598) AND WAS INFORMED IT COULD BE THE TIPM AND WAS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #11252264

130,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN FLASHING OFF AND ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD THE LIGHT HAS NOW REMAINED ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT JUST CONTINUOUSLY REMAINS ON FOR A PERIOD OF OVER 6 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11251905

173,543 miles · Aug 24, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE HAS GONE, CAR WON'T RUN, ANTI-THEFT ALARM WON'T STOP GOING OFF. THE CAR IS STATIONARY, ONLY WAY TO STOP ALARM WAS TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLES. LIGHTS FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPES GOING, WINDSHIELD FLUID POURING OUT, HORN BLURRING, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIME, NOW CAR WON'T START, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT ALAR…

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THE TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE HAS GONE, CAR WON'T RUN, ANTI-THEFT ALARM WON'T STOP GOING OFF. THE CAR IS STATIONARY, ONLY WAY TO STOP ALARM WAS TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLES. LIGHTS FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPES GOING, WINDSHIELD FLUID POURING OUT, HORN BLURRING, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIME, NOW CAR WON'T START, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM KEEPS GOING *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11246182

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

THE WIPER TURNS ON AT A HIGH SPEED, FASTER THAN NORMAL, HORN GET STUCK, RADIO GOES OFF AND ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND WHEN YOU TURN THE TRUCK OFF ALL CONTINUE TO WORK EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN IT'S STATIONARY. DOES NOT MATTER WHERE I'M AT, COULD BE ON EXPRESSWAY, HWY OR ROAD.…

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THE WIPER TURNS ON AT A HIGH SPEED, FASTER THAN NORMAL, HORN GET STUCK, RADIO GOES OFF AND ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND WHEN YOU TURN THE TRUCK OFF ALL CONTINUE TO WORK EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. THIS HAPPEN WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN IT'S STATIONARY. DOES NOT MATTER WHERE I'M AT, COULD BE ON EXPRESSWAY, HWY OR ROAD. IT GIVES NO WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #11241794

91,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, THE HORN SOUNDED, WIPER FLUID SPRAYED ONTO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS, AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. ALSO, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, THE HORN SOUNDED, WIPER FLUID SPRAYED ONTO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS, AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. ALSO, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT CALLED AAA AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2007 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO SIERRA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 1305 MOUNTAIN AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016, (626) 739-5400), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11230791

37,700 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Service Brakes

I LOVE THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKES. WE'VE HAD TO GET THE BRAKES WORKED ON MORE THAN 10 TIMES. WE'VE REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES. JUST WHEN YOU THINK THEY ARE FIXED, SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS. THIS IS A 2008 AND HAS LESS THAN 38000 MILES ON IT. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYWHERE BECAUS…

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I LOVE THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKES. WE'VE HAD TO GET THE BRAKES WORKED ON MORE THAN 10 TIMES. WE'VE REPLACED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES. JUST WHEN YOU THINK THEY ARE FIXED, SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS. THIS IS A 2008 AND HAS LESS THAN 38000 MILES ON IT. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYWHERE BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF IT WILL MAKE IT. I WAS GOING TO TRADE MY NITRO IN FOR A FOR SOMETHING NEW. I THINK I WILL BE LOOKING INTO A FORD SUV. VERY , VERY DISSATISFIED!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11230237

32,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Service Brakes

AUTOMATIC 2 WHEEL DRIVE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD WHEN APPLIED. TOOK TO DODGE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS OR REPAIR. WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. RECALL ON 4 WHEEL DRIVE ONLY. HAD NEW BRAKES- ROTORS- CALIBERS AND PADS INSTALLED EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL NOT WORKING.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11228854

110,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Unknown Or Other

AFTER PARKING CAR ANY WHERE AND LOCKING DOORS WITH FOB OR MANUALLY THE LOCKS WILL UNLOCK THEMSELVES WITHIN SECONDS TO HOURS MULTIPLE TIMES CAUSING BATTERY TO DEPLETE. REPLACED BATTEIES IN FOBS AND CAR-DIDN'T CORRECT PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP DOORS LOCKED.

NHTSA ODI #11228829

Official recalls

3

20V396000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Jul 7, 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

13V121000 · Air Bags; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft; Structure

Apr 3, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Structure

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Air Bags

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

08V525000 · Parking Brake

Oct 8, 2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den