IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAIL... NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ABOUT IT... NOW I NOTICED WAS RECALL FOR MY TRANSMISSION AND NISSAN DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. *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 reports1ST - FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER TANK IS FULL AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. WILL COST $1,000 TO REPLACE, STILL HAVE NOT DONE. 2ND - WAS DRIVING MY 2005 PATHFINDER ON HIGHWAY, ALONE WITH MY 2.5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, RPMS SURGE, CAR WON'T…
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1ST - FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE WHETHER TANK IS FULL AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. WILL COST $1,000 TO REPLACE, STILL HAVE NOT DONE. 2ND - WAS DRIVING MY 2005 PATHFINDER ON HIGHWAY, ALONE WITH MY 2.5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, RPMS SURGE, CAR WON'T ACCELERATE, FORCED TO PULL OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OK, TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR $200. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. DO A GOOGLE SEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND REPAIRS TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $4,800. SINCE MY MILEAGE IS AT 101,500, 1,500 MILES OVER WARRANTY, NISSAN WILL OFFER NO COPAY. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? DOES SOMEBODY NEED TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN? SHAME ON NISSAN FOR PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER. HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED, NO ONE EVER INFORMED ME OF THIS PROBLEM SO I COULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN HESITANT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN HESITANT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,500.
ON JULY 25, 2013 THE CAR MADE A SKIPPING SOUND WHEN I TURNED IT ON AND A FEW DAYS PRIOR IT WOULD MAKE A ROLLING ACTION WHEN STOPPED. ON JULY 26, 2013 I WAS IN ROUTE AND AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR 7 MINUTES AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT STARTED DRI…
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ON JULY 25, 2013 THE CAR MADE A SKIPPING SOUND WHEN I TURNED IT ON AND A FEW DAYS PRIOR IT WOULD MAKE A ROLLING ACTION WHEN STOPPED. ON JULY 26, 2013 I WAS IN ROUTE AND AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR 7 MINUTES AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT STARTED DRIVING HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 15 MILES MAKING A GRINDING SOUND/NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE CLOSEST MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE A/C COOLANT HAD GONE INTO THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING IT TO BE FLUSHED HOWEVER NOT GUARANTEEING THAT IT WILL WORK. I CALLED NISSAN ON JULY 26 2013 AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION. AT THIS TIME, THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO BE FIXED AND EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY COSTLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 148,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH , SHE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED INCORRECTLY AFTER THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN REFUELED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH , SHE NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED INCORRECTLY AFTER THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN REFUELED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
IT APPEARS THE RADIATOR FAILED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ASKED THE MECHANIC ABOUT IT HE SAID THAT NOW YOUR TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL SOON. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND HAS HAPPENED ALOT WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE TOTALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR
WAS EXITING A SIDE STREET ONTO A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD TURNING LEFT, CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD THEN LOST ALL FORWARD ACCELERATION. LEAVING ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. A SEPARATE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE, SLIDING TO A STOP. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL DEALER, IT WA…
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WAS EXITING A SIDE STREET ONTO A HIGH TRAFFIC ROAD TURNING LEFT, CROSSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD THEN LOST ALL FORWARD ACCELERATION. LEAVING ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. A SEPARATE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPACTED THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE, SLIDING TO A STOP. UPON VEHICLE INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE RADIATOR THAT HOUSES A TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED AND MIXED ANTI-FREEZE IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DEGRADE QUICKLY, CAUSING A SPURT OF VEHICLE ACCELERATION DUE TO A LARGE TRANSMISSION SLIP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH HAD THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT FELT LIKE MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE RADIATOR FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING EVERYTHING TO FAIL. 80, 000 MILES IS THE WARRANTY. I AM JUST OVER …
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WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT FELT LIKE MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR FAILED AND THE RADIATOR FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING EVERYTHING TO FAIL. 80, 000 MILES IS THE WARRANTY. I AM JUST OVER THAT. THEY ARE OFFERING ME A $2500.00 CO PAY BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE RADIATOR TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY BACK FROM GETTING GROCERIES IN A TOWN 45 MILES FROM ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED REVVING. I TOOK IT OFF OF CRUISE CONTROL AND TRIED PRESSING ON THE GAS. NOTHING HAPPENED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK …
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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY BACK FROM GETTING GROCERIES IN A TOWN 45 MILES FROM ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED REVVING. I TOOK IT OFF OF CRUISE CONTROL AND TRIED PRESSING ON THE GAS. NOTHING HAPPENED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE DARK AND BY MYSELF, I GOT IT TOWED BACK TO MY TOWN, 35 MILES AWAY. I FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND FIRED THE TCM. IT WILL COST ME $4600.00 TO FIX IT. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE FACT OF IT HAPPENING AND NOW THEY REFUSE TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE. THEY WILL COVER UP TO 80000 MILES FOR THE RECALL AND UP TO 100000 MILES WITH A DEDUCTIBLE OF $2500.00. AND NOTHING AFTER 100000. WHY DID THEY NOT INFORM US OF THIS PROBLEM? DOES ANYONE HAVE A LAW SUIT GOING ON THIS? *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.