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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

What owners actually said

837 reports
40,000 miles · May 28, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2005 TO 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER MANY, MANY,OWNERS ARE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR GOING BAD BETWEEN 35K TO 45K AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES, WHICH MUST BE A DEFICIT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT WILL POSSIBLY STOP THE FUEL PUMP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHO…

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2005 TO 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER MANY, MANY,OWNERS ARE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR GOING BAD BETWEEN 35K TO 45K AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES, WHICH MUST BE A DEFICIT AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD TO A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT WILL POSSIBLY STOP THE FUEL PUMP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING THAT HAPPEN WITH THE NISSAN XERRA SUV WHICH WAS A RECALL IN 2000 TO 2004 MODELS. THE REPAIR FOR THIS FUEL SENDING UNIT COST APPROXIMATELY $600 DOLLAR TO REPAIR AND THEIR IS NO GRANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN OR IF ITS A UPGRADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10270183

46,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT JUST STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I HAVE A CONSTANT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON AND IT WAS CHECKED OUT BY THE MECHANIC AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID IT IS A SENSOR PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GAUGE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THIS IS SHO…

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I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT JUST STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. I HAVE A CONSTANT "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON AND IT WAS CHECKED OUT BY THE MECHANIC AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID IT IS A SENSOR PROBLEM WITH THE GAS GAUGE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THIS IS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ABOUT 46,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT COMPLAINT ABOUT 2005/2006 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THIS IS A SAFELY ISSUE BECAUSE IT MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TRACK IT MANUALLY FOR THE TIME BEING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269041

45,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE GAS GAUGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR OVER A YEAR. I'VE NOTICED MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I'VE READ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENDING UNIT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269017

35,000 miles · May 6, 2009
Fuel System, Other

NISSAN PATHFINDER GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE AND THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING APPROX $500 FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN INJURY OR FATALITY WILL RESULT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267862

55,000 miles · May 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO PUT GAS AND WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE THE FUEL LEVEL WAS STILL READING EMPTY AND MY DTE WAS READING ----. THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE ONLY WAY I CAN TELL IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT IS BY ESTIMATING THE MILEAGE I HAVE DRIVEN. MY PATHFINDER HAS ABOUT 60K…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO PUT GAS AND WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE THE FUEL LEVEL WAS STILL READING EMPTY AND MY DTE WAS READING ----. THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE ONLY WAY I CAN TELL IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT IS BY ESTIMATING THE MILEAGE I HAVE DRIVEN. MY PATHFINDER HAS ABOUT 60K MILES. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267730

49,000 miles · May 1, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAD 1/2 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. IT CONTINUED TO REGISTER AS EMPTY(------) AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THE GAS DID REGISTER IN THE TANK. I WENT TO AUTO Z…

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I HAD 1/2 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. IT CONTINUED TO REGISTER AS EMPTY(------) AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THE GAS DID REGISTER IN THE TANK. I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND HAD COMPUTER TESTED I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. I HAVE OVER 60,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR ANY PROBLEMS. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267484

64,000 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS--ENGINE SERVICE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATE LEVEL OF FUEL AND HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE INITIAL INCIDENT 3 DAYS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266995

56,000 miles · Apr 18, 2009
Fuel System, Other

THE FUEL SENSOR ON PATHFINDERS DOES NOT WORK AND DOES NOT READ THE FUEL LEVEL AFTER FILL UP AND CAUSES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR BRAND NEW 2 YEARS AGO AND DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $600 TO FIX THIS, THERE SHOULD BE …

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THE FUEL SENSOR ON PATHFINDERS DOES NOT WORK AND DOES NOT READ THE FUEL LEVEL AFTER FILL UP AND CAUSES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR BRAND NEW 2 YEARS AGO AND DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $600 TO FIX THIS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND IMMEDIATE FIX BY NISSAN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265971

82,000 miles · Apr 7, 2009
Fuel System, Other

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS APPEARED AND MY FUEL GAGE WAS EITHER STUCK OR NOT WORRY CORRECTLY DURING THIS PERIOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE CODE READ AND THE RESPONSE WAS "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT". UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VER…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS APPEARED AND MY FUEL GAGE WAS EITHER STUCK OR NOT WORRY CORRECTLY DURING THIS PERIOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE CODE READ AND THE RESPONSE WAS "FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT". UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON NISSAN CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING AND THERE'S AN ACTUAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ITEM (NTB07-069A). AGAIN, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I SEE ON THIS ITEM, IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND AS A 'RECALL ITEM'. *TR THANK YOU, TERRANCE BAKER

NHTSA ODI #10264336

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER, GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK, STAYS ON EMPTY, APPARENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263027

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.