IllustrationRADIATOR FAILED/CRACKED AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR *JS
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
5225–50K
9250–75K
12975–100K
156100–150K
32150K+
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsWAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WENT TO PULL OFF TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD ENGINE CHECKED AND IT HAD A CODE OF P1754 FOR TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. CHECK CODE ON INTERNET AND SAW WHERE IT WAS A PROBLEM NISSAN HAD WITH A CRACKED RADIATOR. TOOK TO RADIATOR SHOP AND HE SAID RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND FLUID FROM RA…
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WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT WENT TO PULL OFF TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD ENGINE CHECKED AND IT HAD A CODE OF P1754 FOR TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. CHECK CODE ON INTERNET AND SAW WHERE IT WAS A PROBLEM NISSAN HAD WITH A CRACKED RADIATOR. TOOK TO RADIATOR SHOP AND HE SAID RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND FLUID FROM RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WAS MIXING TOGETHER HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND TOOK TRUCK TO NISSAN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION CHECK, THEY SAID TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BY ANTIFREEZE AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID ENTERED THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID ENTERED THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IN 2006. IN 2010 I NOTICED MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC WHO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THE COMPUTER READ THAT THE SENSORS WERE BAD. I REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS MYSELF AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE THAT…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IN 2006. IN 2010 I NOTICED MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC WHO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. THE COMPUTER READ THAT THE SENSORS WERE BAD. I REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS MYSELF AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE THAT THIS IS A BIG ISSUE WITH FRONTIERS. IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO GET THE TRUCK TO PASS INSPECTION. THERE NEEDS TO BE A WARNING WHEN AN ISSUE LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING FOR CONSUMERS. *TR
ON 1 NOV 2001 I WAS COMING BACK FROM AJO AZ. WHEN MY ENGINE OVERHEATED AS I WAS TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE. ABOUT EVEN WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING. I LET OFF THE GAS AND STOPPED AS SOON AS I COULD AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED.AFTER STOPPING I DISCOVERED NO WATER …
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ON 1 NOV 2001 I WAS COMING BACK FROM AJO AZ. WHEN MY ENGINE OVERHEATED AS I WAS TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE. ABOUT EVEN WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING. I LET OFF THE GAS AND STOPPED AS SOON AS I COULD AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED.AFTER STOPPING I DISCOVERED NO WATER IN RADIATOR.I FILLED IT FROM A 5 GALLON CAN OF WATER AND MADE IT TO A GAS STATION.THE MECHANIC ON DUTY TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED INTERNALLY AND THAT I HAD WATER AND ANTIFREEZE IN THE TRANSMISSION.MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SEVERAL PATHFINDERS AND A FEW FRONTIERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I GOT ON LINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH NISSANS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD BE GOOD TO GO. ON LINE PEOPLES COMPLAINTS THAT I FOUND SAID THEY WERE TOLD THE SAME AND THE TRANSMISSIONS STILL FAILED. CAN I EXPECT A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?THE WARANTY WAS UP AT 98,000 MILES. *TR
NISSAN HAS NOT STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ONCE SO EVER. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO GO OUT. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT SEND OUT A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM AND NEVER DID TILL THIS DAY. ALTHOUGH THEY CHOOSE TO ON OTHER PROBLEMS. ITS A SAFTEY ISSUE AS WELL AND NISSAN DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE …
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NISSAN HAS NOT STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT ONCE SO EVER. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO GO OUT. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT SEND OUT A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM AND NEVER DID TILL THIS DAY. ALTHOUGH THEY CHOOSE TO ON OTHER PROBLEMS. ITS A SAFTEY ISSUE AS WELL AND NISSAN DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE AT ALL. THEY WENT ON SELLING CARS LIKE NORMAL AND CHOOSE TO LEAVE THERE PAST CONSUMERS IN THE DUST. NOT WORKING WITH OR CARING ABOUT US. I WORK HARD FOR THIS TRUCK AND NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO HELP AND WONT HELP ONE BIT. EVEN THOUGH ITS COMPLETELY DUE TO A MANUFACTURER FLAW BY NISSAN AS A COMPANY AND THEY KNOW IT! PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 WHEN THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A DECREASE IN RPMS FOLLOWED BY THE STALLING OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE BUT THE RPM WERE STILL ABNORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 WHEN THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A DECREASE IN RPMS FOLLOWED BY THE STALLING OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE FAILURE BUT THE RPM WERE STILL ABNORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
WHINING NOISE FROM FRONT OF ENGINE. DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE. DEALER COVERED 300 DOLLARS BUT AFTER 20 DAYS AND 13 PHONE CALLS, NISSAN USA REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN REPAIR OR DISCUSS THE ISSUE. CONCERN FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. NISSAN EXT…
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WHINING NOISE FROM FRONT OF ENGINE. DIAGNOSED AS TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE. DEALER COVERED 300 DOLLARS BUT AFTER 20 DAYS AND 13 PHONE CALLS, NISSAN USA REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN REPAIR OR DISCUSS THE ISSUE. CONCERN FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 80,000 WHICH DOES VERY LITTLE FOR THOSE OF US THAT KEEP OUR VEHICLES A LONG TIME. *TR
I HAVE A SUFFERED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. COOLANT HAS ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO RADIATOR FAILURE, THUS RUINING IT. I HAVE HAD MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IN THE SHOP FOR FIVE WEEKS AND IT WILL COST $4,500 TO REPAIR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO OVER DRIVE IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO OVER DRIVE IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AS BEING AN INTERMIX OF RADIANT COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS MIX RUINED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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
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.