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2005 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

956 reports with mileage · 94 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 585 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 186 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,050 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER. WHEN I WAS PARKED THE TRUCK WOULD NOT HEAT UP ONLY COLD AIR WITH COME OUT. NEXT PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK WOULD JERK ALOT AND IT WOULD VIBRATE WHEN I WOULD SPEED UP. …

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I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER. WHEN I WAS PARKED THE TRUCK WOULD NOT HEAT UP ONLY COLD AIR WITH COME OUT. NEXT PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK WOULD JERK ALOT AND IT WOULD VIBRATE WHEN I WOULD SPEED UP. IT WAS VERY SCARY, IT ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, THAT'S HOW TERRIBLE IT FELT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FOR THEM TO CHECK IT AND THEY IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT MIXED INTO THE RADIATOR CAUSING FOR THAT TO GO BAD TOO. I CALLED THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS EXPERIENCED BY SO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THIS JOB COST ME OVER $4000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712642

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

122,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other

NISSAN 112 REPORT (DATED 4/20/15) CUSTOMER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AT 40 AND 60 MPH IT IS CHUGGING AND HOLDING BACK DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS A TRANS AND RAD. THERE IS COOLANT INSIDE OF THE TRANS AND THERE IS TRANS FLUID IN THE RAD. THEY NEED TO REPL. RAD AND TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH OUT SYSTEM - EST. ON …

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NISSAN 112 REPORT (DATED 4/20/15) CUSTOMER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AT 40 AND 60 MPH IT IS CHUGGING AND HOLDING BACK DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS A TRANS AND RAD. THERE IS COOLANT INSIDE OF THE TRANS AND THERE IS TRANS FLUID IN THE RAD. THEY NEED TO REPL. RAD AND TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH OUT SYSTEM - EST. ON REPAIRS WOULD BE ABOUT $5500 TO $6000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10711933

124,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TIMING CHAIN NOISE. I'LL STOP BY THE MECHANICS SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS IS THE PROBLEM NISSAN HAS A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10706093

90,000 miles · Apr 14, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

HAVE PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705708

95,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE FAILED TO TORQUE AFTER ACCELERATING AND SLIPPED, AFTER I LOST CONTROL SLIGHTLY BUMPED INTO A PARKED CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705385

120,058 miles · Apr 2, 2015
EnginePower Train

THE RADIATOR ON MY PATHFINDER HAS CRACKED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAS RUINED NOT ONLY MY RADIATOR BUT ALSO MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703396

96,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Engine

ONE MORNING ON THE WAY TO DAYCARE MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER COULD NOT SHIFT ABOVE FIRST GEAR. I DROVE 8-10MPH WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN OF PORTLAND (122ND AVE). THEY TOLD ME IT HAD CROSS CONTAMINATION DUE TO A "KNOWN FAULTY PART" BUT THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN DECEMBER. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THAT DEALE…

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ONE MORNING ON THE WAY TO DAYCARE MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER COULD NOT SHIFT ABOVE FIRST GEAR. I DROVE 8-10MPH WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO THE DEALERSHIP, NISSAN OF PORTLAND (122ND AVE). THEY TOLD ME IT HAD CROSS CONTAMINATION DUE TO A "KNOWN FAULTY PART" BUT THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN DECEMBER. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THAT DEALERSHIP 18 MONTHS AGO. THEY DID NOT TELL ME AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE ABOUT THIS DEFECT NOR ABOUT THE WARRANTY, RATHER WAITED UNTIL THEY COULD CHARGE ME $5100.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THIS IS SO WRONG! NISSAN CORPORATE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR NOT FIXING THIS FOR FREE WHENEVER IT MANIFESTS ITSELF (OR BEFORE) AND DEALERS CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL CARS WITHOUT DISCLOSING KNOWN MATERIAL DEFECTS. OREGON LAW ORS 646.608 AGREES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703243

109,000 miles · Mar 26, 2015
EnginePower Train

NISSAN NEEDS TO FORMALLY RECALL SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH RADIATOR/ TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IN MY CASE WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND I TRIED TO TURN ON LUCKILY IT TURNED ON AND BEGAN TO RUN AGAIN. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR IT DI…

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NISSAN NEEDS TO FORMALLY RECALL SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH RADIATOR/ TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IN MY CASE WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND I TRIED TO TURN ON LUCKILY IT TURNED ON AND BEGAN TO RUN AGAIN. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR IT DID NOT RUN MORE THAN 20 MPH. I DECIDED TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED SINCE I WAS TERRIFIED OF IT SHUTTING DOWN ONCE AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NONETHELESS, HE EXPRESSED TO ME THAT THIS WAS NOTHING NEW HE HAD SEEN WITH THESE VEHICLES. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD FIXED A COUPLE IN JUST THIS LAST YEAR. ACCORDING TO HIS PAST CLIENTS NISSAN FAILED TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD. I VISITED THE DEALER IN WHICH I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND EXPLAIN THE SERVICE MAN MY CONCERN. HE CLEARLY TOLD ME THAT MY WARRANTY WAS OVER AND THAT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN TO BE REIMBURSED HAD ENDED IN 2013. I TOLD HIM THAT MY VEHICLE FREQUENTLY COMES TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER FOR MAINTENANCE AND IF THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE IN THESES VEHICLES ONCE THEY REACH THEIR 100,000 MILES WHY DID THEY FAIL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT OCCURRED. IT SURPRISES ME THAT NISSAN FAILED TO INFORM ANY OF ITS CONSUMERS OF THE PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS GOING THROUGH A LAWSUIT. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT HE COULD NOT HELP ME AND REFERRED ME TO CORPORATE OFFICE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CALLED WITHIN TWO DAYS. I RECEIVED THE CALL BACK FROM NISSAN SIMPLY TELLING ME MY CASE WAS REVIEWED AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY WARRANTY IS OVER. NISSAN IS PUTTING THE LIVES OF THEIR CONSUMERS IN DANGER AND IS HIDING BEHIND THEIR WARRANTY GUIDELINES TO AVOID CORRECTING THEIR ENGINEERING ERRORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701830

118,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Power Train

RE: TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH RADIATOR FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RE: NISSAN TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR LEAK ISSUES. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY ADVISED A RADIATOR…

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RE: TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH RADIATOR FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. HAD TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RE: NISSAN TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR LEAK ISSUES. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY ADVISED A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THIS COST ME: $5400 OUT OF POCKET. I NOW READ THAT NISSAN HAD A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND WOULD COVER SOME CARS. MY CAR HOWEVER, IS OVER 100,000 MILES AND NISSAN IS NOT OFFERING ANY COMPENSATION. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED WITH NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701695

Official recalls

2

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.

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.