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2010 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

43 reports with mileage · 16 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 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 reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2022
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the probl…

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On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem. Then my tire pressure light came on and stayed on about 3 years ago…same scenario with Jenkins Nissan… you pay us, but no guarantee that they can fix it. Then my horn stopped working about a year ago. Same scenario with Jenkins Nissan. I took my truck to another mechanic, everything is fixed for one price. The problem with everything was evidently connected. These issues in my opinion are safety hazards and should be recalled.

NHTSA ODI #11471266

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS TURNING OFF WITH A BRAND NEWLY INSTALLED BATTERY AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CANNOT READ MY CAR TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NEVER FAILS TO TURN OVER, BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF LIKE SOMEO…

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MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS TURNING OFF WITH A BRAND NEWLY INSTALLED BATTERY AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CANNOT READ MY CAR TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NEVER FAILS TO TURN OVER, BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF LIKE SOMEONE SNATCHED OUT THE BATTERY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS TO TURN OVER, RIGHT AWAY, BUT THEN IT TURNS OVER AND I CAN DRIVE IT A FEW MILES BEFORE IT STALLS ON ME AGAIN, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 64,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE BABIED IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 12/2009. THE SLIP LIGHT COMES ON AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN THE VEHICLE GETS CONFUSED AND SHUTS OFF. IT IS ANNOYING. IT FEELS LIKE A BATTERY ISSUE AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHANGED WHAT THEY CALLED A FAULTY POSITIVE TERMINAL HOOK-UP BUT I STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE WHERE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY POWERED. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND BARELY MAKE IT HOME. I WAS NEVER IN A CRASH, BUT I DID HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE ON AN ABUTMENT THAT WAS IN A AUTOMOTIVE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 3MPH. BUT THIS HAPPENED IN 2014 DECEMBER AND I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND DROVE IT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11033936

90,000 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 60MPH AND TRUCK WILL JUST SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING

NHTSA ODI #11004944

34,000 miles · Nov 20, 2015
Electrical System

VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY CLEANED THE BATTERY POSTS. REPLACED BATTERY. VEHICLE STILL SHOWED RESISTANCE BEFORE SLOWLY CRANKING. VIBRATION OF RPM AND SPEEDOMETER NEEDLES. CLEANED THE POSTS AGAIN, NOW MOTOR WILL HARDLY TURN OVER, NUMEROUS LIGHTS ON DASH FLASH INTERMITANTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10795138

26,000 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PART STORE WHER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PART STORE WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE AN ELECTRICAL CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10733713

140,000 miles · Dec 7, 2012
Electrical System

DRIVING ON HWY ELECTRICAL CONTROLS STOPPED. SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER,TACHOMETER,FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RESPONDING AND DROPPED TO ZERO OR FROZE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THEN. EVENTUALLY THEY COME BACK ON LINE, BUT DURING THAT TIME YOU MUST DEPEND ON OTHER DRIVERS TO KEEP AT SAFE/LEGAL SPEEDS AND REMEMBER HOW MUCH GAS WAS …

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DRIVING ON HWY ELECTRICAL CONTROLS STOPPED. SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER,TACHOMETER,FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RESPONDING AND DROPPED TO ZERO OR FROZE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THEN. EVENTUALLY THEY COME BACK ON LINE, BUT DURING THAT TIME YOU MUST DEPEND ON OTHER DRIVERS TO KEEP AT SAFE/LEGAL SPEEDS AND REMEMBER HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE TANK WHEN YOU STARTED DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487671

6 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Electrical System

WITH THE TREND TOWARDS LAWS BANNING HAND HELD CELL PHONE OPERATION I PURCHASED A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER PRO4X ON MARCH 4, 2010 WHICH INCLUDES A HANDS FREE FEATURE. THE HANDS FREE CAPABILITY OF MY TRUCK WOULD NOT SUPPORT SAFE DRIVING IN STATES THAT HAVE OR HAVE PENDING LEGISLATION THAT BAN HAND HELD CELL PHONE OPERATION WHILE DRIVI…

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WITH THE TREND TOWARDS LAWS BANNING HAND HELD CELL PHONE OPERATION I PURCHASED A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER PRO4X ON MARCH 4, 2010 WHICH INCLUDES A HANDS FREE FEATURE. THE HANDS FREE CAPABILITY OF MY TRUCK WOULD NOT SUPPORT SAFE DRIVING IN STATES THAT HAVE OR HAVE PENDING LEGISLATION THAT BAN HAND HELD CELL PHONE OPERATION WHILE DRIVING. SINCE DAY ONE NAME RECOGNITION FAILS TO FIND THE CORRECT PERSON. ALL PERSONS CALLED COMPLAIN ABOUT LOW, DISTANT SOUNDING VOLUME WITH HIGH LEVELS OF BACKGROUND NOISE (TUNNEL EFFECT). INITIALLY THE POOR PERFORMANCE WAS BLAMED ON MY IPHONE 3GS WHICH WAS AND IS KEEP CURRENT. DEALER MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICIANS FAILED TO CORRECT OR IMPROVE THE HANDS FREE PERFORMANCE. MY DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISOR AND TECHNICIANS (4) IN FIVE AND HALF HOURS USING THEIR OWN IOS AND ANDROID EQUIPPED PHONES FAILED TO GET PROPER HANDS FREE PERFORMANCE IN MY TRUCK, OR, IN A NEW 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER PRO4X. DURING THE TIME MY TRUCK WAS BEING TROUBLED SHOT I TEST DROVE A 2011 NISSAN QUEST. MY IPHONE 3GS PAIRED AND NAMES WERE RECOGNIZED PERFECTLY. I RECENTLY BOUGHT AND TRIED AN IPHONE 4 AND A MOTOROLA DROID X IN MY TRUCK. NAME RECOGNITION STILL DOES NOT WORK AND CALL QUALITY REMAINS UNSATISFACTORY. NISSAN FACTORY TECHNICIANS WERE CONTACTED AND NO SUCCESSFUL SOLUTION WERE PROVIDED NOR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT FOLLOW UP ACTIONS INITIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434155

8,300 miles · Oct 9, 2011
Electrical System

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE IGNITION ALL THE DASHBOARD NEEDLE INDICATORS BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE DASHBOARD NEEDLES CONTINUE TO VIBRATE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I HOOKED UP A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER TO THE BATTERY TO ATTEMPT A JUMP START,…

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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE IGNITION ALL THE DASHBOARD NEEDLE INDICATORS BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE IGNITION. AFTER I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE DASHBOARD NEEDLES CONTINUE TO VIBRATE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. I HOOKED UP A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER TO THE BATTERY TO ATTEMPT A JUMP START, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY CHARGER INDICATED A "BATTERY CHARGED" DISPLAY. HAVING HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN JUNE 2011, WHICH I TOOK TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT DID REMOVE THE BATTERY FOR TESTING. I DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE, WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEN RECONNECTED THE NEGATIVE CABLE AND THE WAS ABLE TO ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AS THERE WAS ABOUT A FOUR MONTH PERIOD BETWEEN INCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429224

240 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NOR WOULD THE IGNITION UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240.

NHTSA ODI #10389831

Official recalls

4

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V372000 · Child Seat:tether: Connector/clip

Aug 12, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 26, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE WELD BETWEEN THE TETHER ANCHOR AND THE SEAT GUSSET BRACKET IS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, AND BASED ON NISSAN'S ENGINEERING JUDGMENT, THE TETHER ANCHOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT WHEN TESTED UNDER THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE TETHER ANCHORAGE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE SEAT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CHILD SEAT THAT USES THE TETHER ANCHOR.

Remedy: THE SEAT GUSSET CONTAINING THE TETHER ANCHORAGE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V208000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 14, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. 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.