NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
144 reportsClear category filter74,251 miles · Sep 26, 2015
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
AFTER RECEIVING A COMPLIMENTARY MULTI-POINT INSPECTION FROM THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, MY WIFE TOLD ME THAT ON THE WAY HOME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO NOT WANT TO SHIFT PROPERLY. WENT TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND THAT THE DIPSTICK IS LOCKED INTO PLACE. DID SOME QUICK RESEARCH TO FIND OUT HOW TO CHECK FLUID LEVE…
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AFTER RECEIVING A COMPLIMENTARY MULTI-POINT INSPECTION FROM THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, MY WIFE TOLD ME THAT ON THE WAY HOME THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO NOT WANT TO SHIFT PROPERLY. WENT TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOUND THAT THE DIPSTICK IS LOCKED INTO PLACE. DID SOME QUICK RESEARCH TO FIND OUT HOW TO CHECK FLUID LEVEL AND THEN FOUND OUT ABOUT ISSUE WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS RADIATORS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLING SYSTEM. CHECKED RADIATOR AND FOUND FROTHING FOAM ON THE INSIDE OF THE PRESSURE CAP INDICATING THAT THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM WHY THE SECTION OF THE INSPECTION FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WERE CHECKED AS "OK". DID NOT RECEIVE AN ANSWER. ALSO, WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED BY NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH RADIATOR IN OUR NISSAN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED SINCE THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST UP TO $3000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS UNDER THE AGREEMENT REACHED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WAS NOT A RECALL. THIS SITUATION COULD OF CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AT SPEED WHILE DRIVING OR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF LACK OF COOLING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE UP AT SPEED WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10777814
160,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED BEFORE RESUMING ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED BEFORE RESUMING ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10762540
61,000 miles · Aug 28, 2015
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SORTS OF ISSUES STARTING WITH THE BRAKES WHEN ONE BRAKE SHOE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED AND EVIDENTLY RUPTURED BRAKE LINES AT AROUND 61,000 MILES. NEW BRAKE REPLACEMENT ALMOST $900. SINCE THAT TIME (THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 75000 MILES) THE TRANSMISSION HAS CONTINUALLY SLIPPED, THE GAS GAUGES AND ALL OTHER GAUGES…
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THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SORTS OF ISSUES STARTING WITH THE BRAKES WHEN ONE BRAKE SHOE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED AND EVIDENTLY RUPTURED BRAKE LINES AT AROUND 61,000 MILES. NEW BRAKE REPLACEMENT ALMOST $900. SINCE THAT TIME (THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 75000 MILES) THE TRANSMISSION HAS CONTINUALLY SLIPPED, THE GAS GAUGES AND ALL OTHER GAUGES WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE EMISSIONS TEST LAST MONTH SHOWED POSSIBLE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES (THERE ARE EVIDENTLY TWO). WHEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED I GET RID OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOTORIOUS FOR CROSS CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONTINUING TO DRIVE IT WOULD EVENTUALLY DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION, AND EVEN NOW MAY HAVE PERMANENT DAMAGE. WHEN CONTACTING NISSAN ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS AND THE SUPPOSED SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED DOCUMENTATION OF ALL SERVICE DONE TO THE VEHICLE TO RECEIVE $800 TOWARD THE NECESSARY $3800 REPAIR COST JUST FOR THE CONTAMINATION LEAK. IF ANYONE IS CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS OR ANY OTHER NISSAN PRODUCT, I WOULD AVOID IT AT ALL COST.
NHTSA ODI #10759951
172,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Engine
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE UNDER THROTTLE BUT WAS NOT INITIALLY IDENTIFIED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. IT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A BELT OR BELT PULLEY. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE NOISE STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN DEVELOPED A PROBLEM AND LOUD RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND WAS A SLOPPY R…
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THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE UNDER THROTTLE BUT WAS NOT INITIALLY IDENTIFIED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. IT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A BELT OR BELT PULLEY. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE NOISE STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN DEVELOPED A PROBLEM AND LOUD RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND WAS A SLOPPY RATTLE CONSISTENT WITH A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER OR GUIDE BROKEN.
NHTSA ODI #10717677
140,000 miles · May 21, 2015
EnginePower Train
I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHERS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING HARD SHIFTS, AND SHUTTERING WHILE ACCELERATING.
NHTSA ODI #10717662
90,000 miles · May 20, 2015
Air BagsEngineWheelsCrashInjury
A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECE…
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A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECEIVING CARE.....UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF UPDATED 9/17/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10717555
100,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Air BagsEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ALONG WITH THE JERKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10716438
90,000 miles · May 13, 2015
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, ERODES SEALS AND CAUSES CORROSION. ITS TOXIC, IRREVERSIBLE AND KILLED THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. …
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VEHICLE CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, ERODES SEALS AND CAUSES CORROSION. ITS TOXIC, IRREVERSIBLE AND KILLED THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM WAS LISTED AS THE 2ND WORST PROBLEM ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM'S "TOP VEHICLE PROBLEM TRENDS OF 2012". WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?!
NHTSA ODI #10716273
113,529 miles · May 2, 2015
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION COOLER ATTACHED TO RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION LEADING TO FAILURE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WHEN NEEDED AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714152
103,000 miles · Apr 22, 2015
EnginePower Train
GOT RECALL IN MAIL FOR RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION RECALL WHICH WE HAD TO PAY FOR?!?! OVER $2000. TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS HAD GONE BY AND HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE 3 TIMES DUE TO DAMAGE FROM TRANSMISSION. GOT IN TRUCK TO GO TO WORK TODAY YUP YOU GUESSED IT TRANSMISSION IS NOW SHOT PUT IN DRIVE AND DO…
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GOT RECALL IN MAIL FOR RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION RECALL WHICH WE HAD TO PAY FOR?!?! OVER $2000. TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS HAD GONE BY AND HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE 3 TIMES DUE TO DAMAGE FROM TRANSMISSION. GOT IN TRUCK TO GO TO WORK TODAY YUP YOU GUESSED IT TRANSMISSION IS NOW SHOT PUT IN DRIVE AND DOESN'T GO. TOTALLY UNFAIR NISSAN SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER PAY FOR THERE SCREW UP? NEW TRANSMISSION $5000. WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN AND WILL MAKE SURE I TELL EVERYONE. SO FAR TO DATE $5000. TO TRY TO FIX UP NISSAN'S MESS AND THEN I'M TO SPEND ANOTHER $5000. ON THERE MISTAKE. HA TOTAL BULL!!!!! THEY SHOULD HAVE STOOD BY THERE PRODUCT AND REPLACED EVERYTHING AT NO COST TO THE OWNER!!! VERY UNHAPPY!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712160
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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.
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