IllustrationDRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRANSMISSION STARTS HAVING A BUMP FEEL TO IT THEN CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND ALMOST GETS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR THEN COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder 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
260–25K
5625–50K
20650–75K
29075–100K
318100–150K
60150K+
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 reportsCAR WOULD JUST DIE WHILE DRIVING. THE GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY EVEN WITH A HALF TANK OR MORE OF GAS, I ALSO CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON RECALL OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL. SO I STARTED DOING THE WORK MYSELF, GOT HALFWAY DONE AND ASKED A BUDDY FOR HELP AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE …
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CAR WOULD JUST DIE WHILE DRIVING. THE GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY EVEN WITH A HALF TANK OR MORE OF GAS, I ALSO CALLED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON RECALL OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL. SO I STARTED DOING THE WORK MYSELF, GOT HALFWAY DONE AND ASKED A BUDDY FOR HELP AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A RECALL ON THAT PART. SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEN THEY ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A RECALL AND DID THE WORK FOR FREE. SINCE THEN (BEFORE) 100,000 MILES, MY RADIATOR FLUID FILLED MY TRANSMISSION AND RUINED IT, AND MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FILLED MY RADIATOR AND RUINED IT TOO. SO OUT OF POCKET FOR TRANSMISSION REBUILD AND REROUTING OF THE COOLANT LINE ($3000). NOW I JUST DRIVE BECAUSE I HAVE TOO, ANYTIME I STOP I HAVE TO KILL IT TO KEEP IT FROM OVERHEATING. BUT I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE SO NOTHING I CAN DO. NISSAN CONTINUES TO JUST NOT CARE AT ALL. I WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER NISSAN. YOU COULD GIVE ME A NISSAN FOR FREE AND I WOULDN'T TOUCH IT. STRAIGHT GARBAGE COMPANY. *TR
JUST GOT THE CAR LAST YEAR.. SO THIS YEAR I WAS DRIVING IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR.. TOOK IT IN TO NISSAN AND THEY SAY ITS BECAUSE OF THE TRASMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR HAVE LEAKED INTO THE TRASMISSION. AN ESTIMATED COST OF $7000. JUST CANT AFFORD TO GET IT F…
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JUST GOT THE CAR LAST YEAR.. SO THIS YEAR I WAS DRIVING IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR.. TOOK IT IN TO NISSAN AND THEY SAY ITS BECAUSE OF THE TRASMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR HAVE LEAKED INTO THE TRASMISSION. AN ESTIMATED COST OF $7000. JUST CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIX RIGHT NOW! *TT
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SHUT OFF CAUSING CARS BEHIND ME TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD. I AM A FEMALE THE WHEEL WAS VERY HARD FOR ME TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. I THANK GOD THAT NOTHING HAPPEN TO MY 8 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. APPARENTLY SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BEFORE THEY DO A RECALL. *JS
I AM DRIVING A GROUP OF CO-WORKERS OUT FOR LUNCH. I PULL IN THE TURNING LANE TO WAIT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO MAKE THE TURN, I PRESSED THE GAS AND THE TRUCK DID NOT MOVE. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE I HAD NOT ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR STICK. EVERYTHING LOOKED RIGHT SO I TRIED TO GIV…
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I AM DRIVING A GROUP OF CO-WORKERS OUT FOR LUNCH. I PULL IN THE TURNING LANE TO WAIT FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO MAKE THE TURN, I PRESSED THE GAS AND THE TRUCK DID NOT MOVE. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AGAIN TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE I HAD NOT ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR STICK. EVERYTHING LOOKED RIGHT SO I TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS AGAIN. THE ENGINE REVVED LOUDLY BUT AGAIN THERE WAS HESITATION IN MOVEMENT. FINALLY, AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER, THE TRUCK SLOWLY TURNED. I TRIED TO DRIVE BACK TO THE OFFICE BUT HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD STOP AND AS SOON AS I PRESSED THE GAS, IT WOULD TAKE FOREVER BEFORE I WOULD ACTUALLY TAKE OFF. THE TRUCK MOVED AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AS IF I WAS PULLING A LARGE LOAD. TURNS OUT IT IS MY TRANSMISSION. HOW UPSETTING WHEN I HAD NO PREVIOUS WARNING. MORE UPSETTING WHEN I BEGIN TO DO MY RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT A CO-WORKER WITH THE SAME YEAR PATHFINDER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND LOOKING ONLINE IT APPEARS EVERYONE WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK HAS HAD THIS ISSUE OR WILL EVENTUALLY. WHY IS NISSAN NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEYOND CONTINUOUSLY EXTENDING THE WARRANTY WITH HUGE CO-PAYS THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY DO NOT REALLY HELP THE CONSUMER? NISSAN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THIS COMPLAINT TO BE REVIEWED? *TR
2005 PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF FOR YEARS. I ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER STATING A DEDUCTIBLE WOULD BE REQUIRED. MY LETTER STATED EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THE ABOVE HAPPENED 96 MONTHS OR 80, 000 MILES. I HAVE…
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2005 PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF FOR YEARS. I ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER STATING A DEDUCTIBLE WOULD BE REQUIRED. MY LETTER STATED EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THE ABOVE HAPPENED 96 MONTHS OR 80, 000 MILES. I HAVE 72,000 MILES. NISSAN WOULD NOT PAY IN FULL BECAUSE OF THE 96 MONTHS HAD EXPIRED. PROBLEM IS THAT THE TIME STARTS FROM THE DATE WHEN THE DEALER FIRST PURCHASED FOR DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS NOT STATED IN THE LETTER. PROBLEM WITH LETTERS RECEIVED IS THAT NONE OF THEM ARE DATED AND I DID NOT RECEIVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY LETTER UNTIL 2012. BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AND CUSTOMERS NOTIFIED, I HAD LESS THAN AN ADDITIONAL 8 YEARS. IF THE FIRST NOTICE WENT OUT IN 2007, CUSTOMERS SHOULD HAVE 8 YEARS FROM THE NOTIFICATION DATE OR 80,000 MILES. NISSAN PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK WITH CAR STALLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL AND NOT A WARRANTY EXTENSION. ALSO, I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION LETTER FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE. MY LETTER DOESN'T MENTION A DEDUCTIBLE. *TR
WAS ON INTERSTATE AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWIN NIECES IN THE CAR.IT WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AND SCARY.I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF A COMPANY BUILDS SOMETHING THAT IS FAULTY HOW DO YOU NOT SUPPORT FIXING THE PROBLEM.REGARDLESS OF MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
RADIATOR FAILED AND LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. *TR
AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED TWICE (3/12 AND 10/12) AS I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON, CAR DIED. I HAD NO POWER AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SLOWING FOR THE LENGTH BETWEEN TWO EXITS UNTIL I COULD STEER INTO GUARDRAIL TO STOP THE VEH…
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AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED TWICE (3/12 AND 10/12) AS I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON, CAR DIED. I HAD NO POWER AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SLOWING FOR THE LENGTH BETWEEN TWO EXITS UNTIL I COULD STEER INTO GUARDRAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS SMOKING, COOLANT SYSTEM MECHANIC THINKS LET GO AND ENGINE CRACKED, NISSAN REFUSES TO BUY BACK CAR THAT WAS A LEMON IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THEY DID NOT FIX. *TR
DRIVING 35 MPH, APPROACHING STOP SIGN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. NO APPARENT ISSUES UNTIL I PULLED OUT ONTO HWY AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS TAKING OFF IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, I PULLED OVER AS I COULD NOT G…
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DRIVING 35 MPH, APPROACHING STOP SIGN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. NO APPARENT ISSUES UNTIL I PULLED OUT ONTO HWY AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. IT WAS AS IF IT WAS TAKING OFF IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED, I PULLED OVER AS I COULD NOT GAIN SPEED TO AVOID THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE LANE. COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE OVER 20 MPH AND REVVING AT ALMOST 3000 RPM, JUST BARELY MOVING. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER HAVING TRANSMISSION REBUILT ON 1/28/14 AT A STOP AND CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE, BUT RPMS WERE NEAR 3000. TOOK BACK TO REPAIR SHOP. THIS HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AFTER IT HAD APPEARED TO BE FIXED ON 3/14/14. LUCKILY, ALL TIMES I HAVE NOT BEEN IN SERIOUS TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURY. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOW EVIDENCE OF RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE MILEAGE I HAVE ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT IS NOW AT 164,000, AND THE RECALL ONLY COVERS 100,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2009, BUT IT DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. DANGEROUS VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO BE RUNNING JUST FINE, AND THEN IT STARTS DRAGGING AND CANNOT GAIN SPEED. HAVE HAD THREE CLOSE CALLS. *TR
Official recalls
210V517000 · 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
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.