NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
450 reportsClear category filter87,000 miles · Apr 22, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY RUMBLE WHEN IT WAS CHANGING GEARS. WE WERE ADVISED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO A FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLER SYSTEM. WE CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND WERE ADVISED THAT OUR VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. …
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OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY RUMBLE WHEN IT WAS CHANGING GEARS. WE WERE ADVISED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO A FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLER SYSTEM. WE CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND WERE ADVISED THAT OUR VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT NISSAN KNEW OF THIS FAILING, AND HAD EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THIS WARRANTY INCLUDES UP TO A $3000 DEDUCTIBLE. THE DEDUCTIBLE IS DETERMINED BY YEAR AND MILAGE OF THE VEHICLE. OUR NISSAN HAS 87,000 MILES, SO WE WILL HAVE TO PAY A $2500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE REPAIR WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509169
104,613 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Power TrainSteering
SOON AFTER PURCHASE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 45 AND 55 MILES PER HOUR IT WOULD FEEL AS IF THE WHEELS HAD LOCKED UP BUT THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING. THIS PROBLEM EVOLVED UNTIL IT WOULD FEEL AS IF YOU WERE TRAVELING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THEN IT STARTED SHUDDERING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 45 AND 60 MILES PER HOUR. NOW IT ACTUALLY LO…
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SOON AFTER PURCHASE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 45 AND 55 MILES PER HOUR IT WOULD FEEL AS IF THE WHEELS HAD LOCKED UP BUT THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING. THIS PROBLEM EVOLVED UNTIL IT WOULD FEEL AS IF YOU WERE TRAVELING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THEN IT STARTED SHUDDERING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 45 AND 60 MILES PER HOUR. NOW IT ACTUALLY LOSES SPEED UNTIL IT FALLS DOWN TO ABOUT 30 AND THEN IT WILL KICK BACK INTO GEAR AND I CAN SPEED UP AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. TOOK IT THE DEALER WHEN I FIRST STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS A YEAR AGO AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. TOOK IT BACK TODAY AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FROM THE BEGINNING. LEMON LAW SHOULD APPLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508996
64,800 miles · Apr 20, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
STARTED AS A VIBRATION ON 5FT GEAR AT AROUND 45MPH. DURING A ROUTINE CHECK, IT WAS FOUND TRANSMISSION OIL INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. HENCE, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT, CAUSING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508899
117,000 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Power Train
PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SHIFTING. IT SHIFTED OR WOULD NOT SHIFT WHILE IN OPERATION. WE WERE OUT OF STATE ON VACATION AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. MANAGED TO GET BACK HOME AND PARKED IT. CALLED NISSAN DEALER. EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. *TR PROBLEM: CRACK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER IN THE RADIATOR. MIXED COOLANT WITH TRA…
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PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SHIFTING. IT SHIFTED OR WOULD NOT SHIFT WHILE IN OPERATION. WE WERE OUT OF STATE ON VACATION AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. MANAGED TO GET BACK HOME AND PARKED IT. CALLED NISSAN DEALER. EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. *TR PROBLEM: CRACK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER IN THE RADIATOR. MIXED COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION. NEED TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. AND THERE IS ONLY A 12/12 WARRANTY ON THE REPLACED PARTS!!! ESTIMATED COST: $ 5000.00, SINCE THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER THE 100000 MILE. NISSAN KNOWS THIS PROBLEM EXIST AND HAS NOT EVEN NOTIFIED OWNERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THEIR DESIGN ISSUE OUR COST ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10508887
171,800 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Power Train
WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WENT TO ACCELERATE THE TRUCK AND IT WOULD NOT GO CONTINUE TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATE UNTIL FINALLY IT WENT, THIS CONTINUE UNTIL I MADE IT HOME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 04/09/2013 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD COST AROUND 10,000.00 TO REPAIR TOLD THEM NO WAY THE …
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WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WENT TO ACCELERATE THE TRUCK AND IT WOULD NOT GO CONTINUE TO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATE UNTIL FINALLY IT WENT, THIS CONTINUE UNTIL I MADE IT HOME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 04/09/2013 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD COST AROUND 10,000.00 TO REPAIR TOLD THEM NO WAY THE TRUCK IS ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD, THEIR RESPONSE WAS IT HAS A LOT OF MILES. ASK IF I WOULD LIKE TO TRADE IT IN,TOLD THEM I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. STUCK WITH A BROKEN TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508874
98,000 miles · Apr 19, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
UNDER BODY VIBRATION REPORTED IN JANUARY WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES. TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE CRACK IN MY BACK BUMPER. THEN 2 DAYS AGO, DROVE THE CAR BACK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT 112K MILES WHERE THEY TOLD ME MY RADIATOR CRACKED WHICH LEAD TO FLUID GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION - A WIDELY KNOWN NISSAN PROBLEM. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE…
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UNDER BODY VIBRATION REPORTED IN JANUARY WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES. TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE CRACK IN MY BACK BUMPER. THEN 2 DAYS AGO, DROVE THE CAR BACK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT 112K MILES WHERE THEY TOLD ME MY RADIATOR CRACKED WHICH LEAD TO FLUID GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION - A WIDELY KNOWN NISSAN PROBLEM. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION $5500 + RADIATOR $700 BECAUSE THEY ARE RUINED. FUEL SENSORY GAUGE STUCK ALSO AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE - ALSO A WIDELY KNOWN NISSAN PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508826
79,633 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY COOLANT LEAK FLUID INTO MY TRANSMISSION , NISSAN HONORED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IS REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. MY WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALSO AND MY COST FOR THAT IS 1200. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508757
86,500 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING / JERKING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO UP OR DOWNSHIFT. AT FIRST IT WAS NOT TOO NOTICEABLE HOWEVER THAT CHANGED RELATIVELY FAST AND HE JERKING WAS MORE APPARENT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS FOUND TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION O…
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AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING / JERKING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO UP OR DOWNSHIFT. AT FIRST IT WAS NOT TOO NOTICEABLE HOWEVER THAT CHANGED RELATIVELY FAST AND HE JERKING WAS MORE APPARENT. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS FOUND TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACK WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING INTERMIXING BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COOLANT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD BETWEEN 80000 AND 90000 MILES I WAS IN THE $2500 COPAY RANGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508484
92,000 miles · Apr 6, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND NEED TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THEN DEALER DIAGNOSE, THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID, COOLER LOCATED IN DE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID,RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRAN…
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COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND NEED TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THEN DEALER DIAGNOSE, THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID, COOLER LOCATED IN DE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID,RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507366
94,400 miles · Apr 4, 2013
EnginePower Train
RADIATOR FAILED COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER INFORMED ME OF THIS ISSUE. IF I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE HAD RADIATOR REPLACED. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I AM SURE MORE SIMILAR SITUATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO OCCU…
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RADIATOR FAILED COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEVER INFORMED ME OF THIS ISSUE. IF I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE HAD RADIATOR REPLACED. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I AM SURE MORE SIMILAR SITUATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR UNTIL THERE IS AN OFFICIAL RECALL. WHO LOSES? THE CUSTOMER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507040
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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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