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2006 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

742 reports with mileage · 95 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 450 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 185 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 147 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

43 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

UNKNOWN. Every time I drive above 50 mph the car vibrates hard and it’s audible. It feels like the engine. I had it checked out by two mechanics but they couldn’t figure it out. I had my wheels balanced, bought new tires at the mechanic suggestion. That hasn’t helped. I’m not sure if this is safe to drive and it doesn’t make me…

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UNKNOWN. Every time I drive above 50 mph the car vibrates hard and it’s audible. It feels like the engine. I had it checked out by two mechanics but they couldn’t figure it out. I had my wheels balanced, bought new tires at the mechanic suggestion. That hasn’t helped. I’m not sure if this is safe to drive and it doesn’t make me feel safe. This has been going on for months. Please let me know if they’re similar complaints and what I should do about it. Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11442381

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2020
Unknown Or Other

RADIATOR FLUID GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TCM FAIL

NHTSA ODI #11348836

180,000 miles · Nov 3, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WITH NO WARNING

NHTSA ODI #11277815

10 miles · Jun 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other

LATELY, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS BEEN STALLING OR SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE WHY, BUT EVERYTHING STAYS ON AND RUNS FINE, IT IS JUST THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. I HAVE TO MOVE MY CAR TO THE SIDE, IF I CAN GET IT THERE ON TIME, AND TURN IT OFF. THEN I WAIT A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND START IT…

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LATELY, MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS BEEN STALLING OR SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE WHY, BUT EVERYTHING STAYS ON AND RUNS FINE, IT IS JUST THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. I HAVE TO MOVE MY CAR TO THE SIDE, IF I CAN GET IT THERE ON TIME, AND TURN IT OFF. THEN I WAIT A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND START IT BACK IT. AT TIMES, AFTER THE STARTUP, THE CAR WILL RUN FINE, BUT AT OTHER TIMES, I WILL BE ABLE TO DRIVE FOR A LITTLE BIT AND THEN MY CAR STALLS AGAIN OR DIES DOWN. I ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. IT DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL SENSON RECALL. I HAVE ALWAYS CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF MY VEHICLE STALLING OR RUNNING OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY BECAUSE MY FUEL LEVER DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF THE FUEL SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11220487

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING BAD BECAUSE MY RADIATOR FAILURE OF MIXING FLUIDS AND NOW IM IN A BIND WITH ONLYBONE VEHICAL AND MY ONLY WAY TO WORK... I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I NEED HELP GETTING THIS FIXED SO I DONT LOOSE MY JOB... PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING FOR ME THANKS SO MUCH

NHTSA ODI #11170460

152,900 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN OUT IF NOWHERE IT GOT SLIGHTLY SHAKY RUMBLY FEELING AND THEN IT UP SHIFTED VERY VERY HARD AND REDLINED THE VEHICLE SO I HIT BRAKES AND GOT PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME AND THEN NEXT DAY TOWED TO SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT HAD BASI…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN OUT IF NOWHERE IT GOT SLIGHTLY SHAKY RUMBLY FEELING AND THEN IT UP SHIFTED VERY VERY HARD AND REDLINED THE VEHICLE SO I HIT BRAKES AND GOT PULLED OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME AND THEN NEXT DAY TOWED TO SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT HAD BASICLY DRAINED ANTIFREEZE INTO MY TRANSMISSION. SAID THAT PROBLEM IS NOTORIOUS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND THAT I WOULD NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11080825

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FRONT AND BACK HAVE TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11074220

105,000 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I LOST TOTAL POWER OF THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X I LOOS TOTAL POWER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL #10V517…

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HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF AND I LOST TOTAL POWER OF THE CAR AND THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT GETTING KILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2X I LOOS TOTAL POWER AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THEY SAID NO, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL #10V517000 WHICH NISSAN SAYS MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED IN THAT ADVISED THIS MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT. IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY REASON AND I HAVE THE MAKE & MODEL WHILE NISSAN WILL NOT INVESTIGATE WHY THIS IS HAPPENED AS IT IS A DIRECT SAFETY PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD TAKE IT INTO NISSAN FOR THEM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS OF COURSE AT MY EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #11071727

98,900 miles · Nov 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

CAR STARTED GIVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION IN THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BREAK, YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER FOR IT TO START MOVING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A NISSAN DEALER IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IT IS A FACTORY ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PATHFINDER MODELS, IN WHICH THE WATER FROM THE RADIATOR GETS I…

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CAR STARTED GIVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION IN THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BREAK, YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER FOR IT TO START MOVING. AFTER TAKING IT TO A NISSAN DEALER IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IT IS A FACTORY ISSUE THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY PATHFINDER MODELS, IN WHICH THE WATER FROM THE RADIATOR GETS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DAMAGES THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE. THE ESTIMATED COST FROM A NISSAN DEALER IS AROUND $6,000 WHICH IS NOW MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH.

NHTSA ODI #11048068

98,000 miles · Apr 21, 2017
Unknown Or Other

NISSAN CLASS ACTION SUIT-OIL COOLER SETTLEMENT. TWO DAYS AGO I TOOK MY NISSAN 2006 PATHFINDER INTO MY MECHANIC AFTER HAVING CONTINUED SHIFTING ISSUES WITH IT. HE SAW AN OILY SLUDGE ( TRANSMISSION FLUID) IN THE RADIATOR, DIAGNOSED A RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING FLUID EXCHANGE BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I LIVE ON A REMOTE ISL…

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NISSAN CLASS ACTION SUIT-OIL COOLER SETTLEMENT. TWO DAYS AGO I TOOK MY NISSAN 2006 PATHFINDER INTO MY MECHANIC AFTER HAVING CONTINUED SHIFTING ISSUES WITH IT. HE SAW AN OILY SLUDGE ( TRANSMISSION FLUID) IN THE RADIATOR, DIAGNOSED A RADIATOR LEAK CAUSING FLUID EXCHANGE BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I LIVE ON A REMOTE ISLAND IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA, SO THERE IS NO ACCESS TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. HIS SHOP COULD NOT FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION SO HAD ME CALL A SHOP OFF-ISLAND. I LEARNED FROM THIS MECHANIC OF REPEAT ISSUES WITH NISSAN'S LEAKY RADIATORS. HE SAID I SHOULD PURSUE CALLING NISSAN FOR COMPENSATION OF SOME KIND. I DID CALL, RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER AND TODAY DURING A CONVERSATION WITH A REGIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGENT FOR NISSAN, WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PERTAINING TO THIS VERY ISSUE BUT THAT I MISSED THE FILING DATE AND THEREFORE NISSAN COULD NOT HELP ME. I CALLED NISSAN IN JUNE OF 2016 WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO ANY NISSAN DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE. I CALLED NISSAN THEN AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THERE WAS NEVER ANY MENTION OF THE FLUID EXCHANGE ISSUE THAT COULD BE CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND THE FILING DATE FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AT THE VERY WORST AND REMOVE THE CO-PAY AMOUNT. THIS IS THEIR FAULT. QUITE HONESTLY THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL OF ANYONE OWNING THIS FAULTY RADIATOR. AS I SAID I LIVE ON A REMOTE ISLAND SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES AND A COUPLE OF FERRY BOAT RIDES FROM ANY NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND NOW HAVE NO OPTIONS BEFORE ME. NISSAN ONLY DISCLOSED THE ISSUE BECAUSE I BROUGHT IT TO THEM, AND THEN OFFERED UP INFORMATION KNOWING THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ANY OF THE COMPENSATION. I AM DONE WITH EVER OWNING ANOTHER NISSAN!

NHTSA ODI #10979844

Official recalls

3

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.

10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

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.

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.