CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NISSAN DIAGNOSED ENGINE COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR.
2006 Nissan Frontier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Frontier years
Owner complaints for the 2006 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
559 reports with mileage · 58 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 220 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
617 reportsTHE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT CORRECTLY. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN AMERICA. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE, WITHOUT SEEING THE TRUCK OF $100-$1500.00 TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SEATBELT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT BASED ON THE MILAGE/AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I W…
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT CORRECTLY. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN AMERICA. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE, WITHOUT SEEING THE TRUCK OF $100-$1500.00 TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SEATBELT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT BASED ON THE MILAGE/AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I WILL CERTAINLY LET ALL KNOW ABOUT NISAAN'S LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHICH CHOOSE TO PURCHASE THEIR CARS, NEW OR USED! NOT GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAD A HONDA ACCORD THAT WAS 20+ YEARS OLD AND HONDA REPLACED THE SEATBELT AND ASSEMBLY FOR FREE, BEING IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!
WHILE TURNING TO GO UP HILL TOWARD HOME VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME SO I PUT IT IN PARK AND AFTER HESITATION IT FINALLY RESTARTED. I TOOK TO DEALER,WALLACE NISSAN IN KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE AND THEY RAN CES CODE. THEY SUGGESTED HAVING RIGHT SIDE CAM SENSOR REPLACEMENT AND FLOAT IN GAS TANK WHERE IT HAS QUIT …
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WHILE TURNING TO GO UP HILL TOWARD HOME VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME SO I PUT IT IN PARK AND AFTER HESITATION IT FINALLY RESTARTED. I TOOK TO DEALER,WALLACE NISSAN IN KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE AND THEY RAN CES CODE. THEY SUGGESTED HAVING RIGHT SIDE CAM SENSOR REPLACEMENT AND FLOAT IN GAS TANK WHERE IT HAS QUIT READING AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY 700 TO 800 DOLLARS. CURRENTLY HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. PS : I PERFORMED THE BYPASS TO AVOID CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MYSELF AFTER READING OF ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT HAS CAUSED.THE TRANSMISSION HAS A SEPARATE COOLER; I DON'T KNOW WHY IT GOES THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR ANYWAY. CURRENT MILAGE IS 49,899 WHICH IS LOW MILES FOR A 2006 MODEL. A PERSON SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SURF THE WEB TO KNOW WHAT THEIR VEHICLE NEEDS WHEN NISSAN SHOULD BE NOTIFYING THEM. PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS WHERE A SIMPLE RECALL COULD HAVE SAVED THEM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY SOMEONE'S LIFE FROM AN ACCIDENT.
IN EARLY 2018 THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. I AM TOLD THE ISSUE WITH THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IMPACTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND THE MECHANISM THAT PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FR…
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IN EARLY 2018 THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. I AM TOLD THE ISSUE WITH THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IMPACTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND THE MECHANISM THAT PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM SPOOLING OUT WHEN AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I HAD THE PART REPLACED ON MAY 29, 2018 BY MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC WITH A NISSAN OEM PART THAT CAME FROM LARRY MILLER NISSAN IN DENVER COLORADO. THE ISSUE WAS FIXED AND THE WARNING LIGHT WENT AWAY. SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 1 YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR, THE NEW PART FAILED. NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PART, THEY ONLY WARRANT IT FOR 1 YEAR, BUT I AM MORE CONCERNED THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING OF THE PART. A SAFETY PART LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL, LET ALONE TWICE.
LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, HAD IT CHECKED BY TRANSMISSION SHOP AND TURNS OUT THERE IS A DEFECT IN OEM RADIATOR CAUSES CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT. WAS REQUIRED TO SPEND OVER $6000 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX.
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK FROM A DEALERSHIP, WITH 118,500 MILES IN, AND I ONLY DROVE IT 1,500 MILES AND TRANSMISSION BROKE, I NEVER THE WARRANTY FOR THE TRUCK, AND THE REPAIRS CAME OUT $4,237 DOLLARS WHAT CAN I DO IN THIS SITUATION. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4,000. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, IT WENT INTO LOW GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4,000. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, IT WENT INTO LOW GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
FAULTY GAS GAUGE. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNTION
PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN MOTION FROM A PARKING LOT. FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY FELL TO EMPTY ON 07/10/2019 LIGHTS ON DASH ILLUMINATED SHOWING NEED FOR UPCOMING SERVICE AND TIRE PRESSURE LOW.
2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLES REPAIRS. *LD *JS
Official recalls
410V517000 · 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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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
2DP26003 · Fuel Smell And Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Mar 30, 2026 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The Petitioner alleges that the vehicle poses an imminent fire hazard due to “[a] powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline” that he says “emanates from the vehicle” and “indicat[es] a breach in fuel system integrity.” He further alleges that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling “during startup and operation,” which he believes could cause collisions or loss of vehicle control. The Petitioner further alleges these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous NHTSA recalls (10V-517, 07V-435, and 10V-075) and that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions. ODI is opening this Defect Petition to evaluate the Petitioner’s allegations and determine whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11718552.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The Petitioner alleges that the vehicle poses an imminent fire hazard due to “[a] powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline” that he says “emanates from the vehicle” and “indicat[es] a breach in fuel system integrity.” He further alleges that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling “during startup and operation,” which he believes could cause collisions or loss of vehicle control. The Petitioner further alleges these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous NHTSA recalls (10V-517, 07V-435, and 10V-075) and that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions. ODI is opening this Defect Petition to evaluate the Petitioner’s allegations and determine whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11718552.
Fuel System, Gasoline
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The Petitioner alleges that the vehicle poses an imminent fire hazard due to “[a] powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline” that he says “emanates from the vehicle” and “indicat[es] a breach in fuel system integrity.” He further alleges that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling “during startup and operation,” which he believes could cause collisions or loss of vehicle control. The Petitioner further alleges these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous NHTSA recalls (10V-517, 07V-435, and 10V-075) and that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions. ODI is opening this Defect Petition to evaluate the Petitioner’s allegations and determine whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11718552.
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.
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