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2005 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

479 reports with mileage · 53 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 262 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 119 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.

9 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

80 reports
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91,000 miles · Mar 27, 2013
EnginePower Train

COMING HOME FROM WORK THE TRUCK STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SKIP. I HAD TO TURN ON THE HEATER TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM OVERHEATING AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN, BUT THEY AR…

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COMING HOME FROM WORK THE TRUCK STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SKIP. I HAD TO TURN ON THE HEATER TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM OVERHEATING AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN, BUT THEY ARE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN THAT ARE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME. IF THAT TRANSMISSION BREAKS AND CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS. NISSAN NEEDS TO REPLACE THE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504744

111,488 miles · Mar 17, 2013
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND ANYTHING SINCE IT HAPPENED AT 111K MILES RATHER THAN UNDER 100K. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503339

150,000 miles · Mar 3, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A VIBRATION WHILE I AM DRIVING WHICH HAS BEEN VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, HOWEVER, NOTHING MAJOR IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, NOW MY VEHICLE HAS DECIDED TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TH…

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MY VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A VIBRATION WHILE I AM DRIVING WHICH HAS BEEN VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, HOWEVER, NOTHING MAJOR IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, NOW MY VEHICLE HAS DECIDED TO RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY FOUND TRANS FLUID MIXING WITH COOLANT DUE TO LEAKING TRANS COOLER IN RADIATOR AND THE TOTAL COST WOULD COME OUT TO $5,000. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD THIS BILL SO I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501136

85,302 miles · Feb 18, 2013
EnginePower Train

AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, WHILE CRUISING AT AROUND 40 MPH THE GEARS DROPPED AND STUTTERED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DOCUMENTED MY CONCERN AND THE INCIDENT. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND ONLY CAME UP WITH A FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION AND REPLACE IT FOR $475. AT 90,000 MILES I DESCRIBED THE SAME CONCERN, WHI…

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AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, WHILE CRUISING AT AROUND 40 MPH THE GEARS DROPPED AND STUTTERED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DOCUMENTED MY CONCERN AND THE INCIDENT. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND ONLY CAME UP WITH A FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION AND REPLACE IT FOR $475. AT 90,000 MILES I DESCRIBED THE SAME CONCERN, WHICH THEY DOCUMENTED, AT A LOWER MPH AND THEY FLUSHED/REPLACED TRANS AND RADIATOR FLUID AND REPLACED THE RADIATOR ITSELF FOR $1600. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $6000. NISSAN HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION IS DUE TO COOLANT GETTING INTO A LUBRICANT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498502

88,000 miles · Jan 25, 2013
EnginePower Train

WHILE JUST MERGING ONTO THE BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY IN BROOKLYN AT APROX 50 MPH WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS TO ANY VEHICLE PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. HAD TO PUT HAZARDS ON AND COAST ACROSS 3 LANES SINCE IT WAS A LEFT LANE MERGE. VEHICLE SLOWED TO APROX 20 MPH WHEN TRANSMI…

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WHILE JUST MERGING ONTO THE BROOKLYN QUEENS EXPRESSWAY IN BROOKLYN AT APROX 50 MPH WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING SIGNS TO ANY VEHICLE PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF GEAR ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. HAD TO PUT HAZARDS ON AND COAST ACROSS 3 LANES SINCE IT WAS A LEFT LANE MERGE. VEHICLE SLOWED TO APROX 20 MPH WHEN TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO CATCH AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT BQE TO A SAFE LOCATION. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ANTI FREEZE MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM NOW WITH NISSAN. IT COULD OF ALL BEEN AVOIDED IF RADIATOR WAS RECALLED BY NISSAN PRIOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494656

166,405 miles · Dec 13, 2012
EnginePower Train

NISSAN HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE DATE LISTED IS MERELY THE DATE WE DISCOVERED THE ISSUE. BEFORE JAN 31, 2012 WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YOU DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR TRUCK UNTIL IT OVERHEATS AND YOU FIND OUT THE FLUIDS HAVE MIXED. REPLACE THE RAD…

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NISSAN HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE DATE LISTED IS MERELY THE DATE WE DISCOVERED THE ISSUE. BEFORE JAN 31, 2012 WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. YOU DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR TRUCK UNTIL IT OVERHEATS AND YOU FIND OUT THE FLUIDS HAVE MIXED. REPLACE THE RADIATOR. FLUSH THE FLUIDS (3 OR MORE TIMES, SINCE THE FLUID IS NOW LIKE PURPLE SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM). THEN THE REAL TROUBLES BEGIN.. IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND THE ONLY OPTION IS TO PULL OVER, TURN THE TRUCK OFF, REMOVE THE KEY, THEN RESTART THE TRUCK AND HOPE IT WORKS. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE HIGHER SPEEDS BUT ALSO UNSAFE ON THE SIDE ROADS OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL 3.6 MILES EACH WAY. I HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE TRUCK AT LEAST 3 TIMES DURING THE ROUND TRIP. SPEED DOESN'T MATTER. YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND HAVE KNOW IDEA IF IT IS GOING TO GO WHEN YOU PUSH THE GAS OR NOT. PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE YOU HAVE TO GO AND YOU FIND OUT YOU CAN'T. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL "WARRANTY EXTENTIONS" ISSUED BY NISSAN ON OUR TRUCK THAT WE WERE NOT AWARE OF UNTIL AFTER MAKING THE REPAIRS ON OUR OWN DIME. THERE IS A "WARRANY EXTENTION" FOR THIS ISSUE DUE TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BUT IT DOES NOTHING FOR A LOT OF THE OWNERS SINCE MANY ARE OVER THE "EXTENTION MILEAGE". I TRY TO NEVER DRIVE THE TRUCK ON BUSY ROADS WITHOUT SHOULDERS OR TURN LANES, I FEAR RED LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC BUT STOP SIGNS ARE THE WORST... I NEVER KNOW IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO WORK OR NOT. ALL BECAUSE A KNOWN FAULTY RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BUT, I'M OVER THE EXTENDED MILEAGE SO I'M EXPECTED TO PAY OVER $5K TO FIX A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488653

74,303 miles · Oct 29, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System

FUEL SENSOR WILL SHOW 1/4 TANK OF GASOLINE AND LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GAUGE WILL SHOW EMPTY SHORTLY AFTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482580

95,000 miles · Sep 8, 2012
EnginePower Train

HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. FLUIDS LEAKED BETWEEN THE TWO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474328

145,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH UP AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DOWN SHIFT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THERE WAS NO LONGER A MALFUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH UP AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO DOWN SHIFT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THERE WAS NO LONGER A MALFUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ODI #10469360

66,000 miles · May 24, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ITTM SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459532

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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.

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.

06V092000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Mar 30, 2006

ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT DEFORMATION OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY COULD CAUSE THE FUEL FILLER CAP TETHER TO BE STRETCHED TO THE POINT OF UNSCREWING THE FUEL FILLER CAP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CAP TETHER PIN ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2006. 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.