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2007 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

500 reports with mileage · 61 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 337 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

337 reports
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145,000 miles · Oct 23, 2015
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN WHEN I WAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 MILES FROM HOME AROUND 8:40 PM. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE SOUNDED OK BUT THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO VERY FAST. SINCE I HAD NO PHONE AND I AM HANDICAPPED AND UNABLE TO WALK VERY FAR AND HAD A LOT OF …

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WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY DOING ABOUT 60 MPH OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN WHEN I WAS ABOUT 3 OR 4 MILES FROM HOME AROUND 8:40 PM. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE ENGINE SOUNDED OK BUT THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO GO VERY FAST. SINCE I HAD NO PHONE AND I AM HANDICAPPED AND UNABLE TO WALK VERY FAR AND HAD A LOT OF PERISHABLE FOOD TO CARRY AND MY WIFE AND 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE CAR SITS UNTIL I CAN GET A LOAN TO FIX OR BUY ANOTHER CAR. I ONLY HAVE 145,000 MILES ON THE CAR, I USUALLY GET 300 TO 400 THOUSAND MILES BEFORE I GET RID OF THEM.. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL AND I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM PRETTY SURE IT'S THE TRANSMISSION BUT UNTIL I GET FUNDS I CANNOT PUT IT IN THE SHOP OR REPLACE IT.THIS IS FRIDAY THE DAY AFTER THE BREAKDOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10785540

97,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE MIXED TOGETHER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE MIXED TOGETHER AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10782960

99,123 miles · Oct 9, 2015
EnginePower Train

COOLANT AFT CROSS CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10781184

120,100 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Power Train

MY PATHFINDER BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST PULLING INTO MY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND HAD TO KILL AND RESTART THE TRUCK TO GET IT TO MAKE IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN, WHERE THERE'S A CRACK THAT ALLOWS THE RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX, C…

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MY PATHFINDER BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WHILE DRIVING. I WAS JUST PULLING INTO MY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND HAD TO KILL AND RESTART THE TRUCK TO GET IT TO MAKE IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN, WHERE THERE'S A CRACK THAT ALLOWS THE RADIATOR COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THIS IS EXTREMELY WRONG THAT A CONSUMER MUST PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A KNOWN AND ACKNOWLEDGED FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #10780079

97,000 miles · Oct 1, 2015
Power Train

MY WIFE WAS TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WHILE DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF LINE HEARD A LOUD "THUNK". WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND PAY THE $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISS…

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MY WIFE WAS TAKING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND WHILE DRIVING IN THE DROP OFF LINE HEARD A LOUD "THUNK". WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND PAY THE $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS NOT ADDRESSING.

NHTSA ODI #10778918

100,120 miles · Sep 19, 2015
Power Train

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 AS OUR 2ND NEW NISSAN .OUR FIRST WAS A 2005 FRONTIER WITH NO PROBLEMS AND NOW THIS. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SLIPS WHEN ACCELLERATING AND SOMTIMES WONT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. SO DUE TO THE PROBLEM I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND THIS CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINE ALLOWING COOLAN…

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I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 AS OUR 2ND NEW NISSAN .OUR FIRST WAS A 2005 FRONTIER WITH NO PROBLEMS AND NOW THIS. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SLIPS WHEN ACCELLERATING AND SOMTIMES WONT DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. SO DUE TO THE PROBLEM I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND THIS CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINE ALLOWING COOLANT LEAK IN TO THE TRANSMISSION, SO I CHECKED THE RESEVOUR AND RADIATOR AND BOTH HAD ATF CONTAMINATION. I THEN CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I COULD BE TALKING ABOUT. THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED IN LATE 2012 STATED THAT ALL DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND NOW HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY PATHFINDER WHICH OPTS ME OUT OF ANYTHING. THIS IS REDICULOUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! THEY NEVER EVEN ADMITED THERE WAS A PROBLEM JUST OFFERED SOME EXTENDED WARRENTY COVERAGE ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! NOW IM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CANT EVEN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10765300

144,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE POSITION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE REVERSE POSITION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10765128

85,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 PATHFINDER WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK WHEN THE TIRES SUDDENLY SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON UNTIL I WAS ON A BIG HILL AND CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN ON ME, ALMOST INSTANTANEOULSY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING SIGNS. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWAR…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 PATHFINDER WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK WHEN THE TIRES SUDDENLY SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING. I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON UNTIL I WAS ON A BIG HILL AND CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN ON ME, ALMOST INSTANTANEOULSY WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING SIGNS. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS ON THE HILL AND LUCKILY NOBODY WAS BEHIND US. I HIT THE BREAKS AND STOPPED THE CAR. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AND I WAS STUNNED WHEN MY MECHANIC SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD AND IT WOULD COST AROUND 3K TO FIX! "THERE WAS ONLY 85K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST BLOWS LIKE THAT," I ASKED HIM? HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM VERY COMMON WITH SOME NISSAN CARS. I IMMEDIATELY WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND XTERRAS, DUE TO FAULT MANUFACTURING AND A LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT UP AGAINST THEM (A FEW YEARS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO ME). I FEEL IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT THESE CARS CAN STILL BE SOLD BY THE DEALER (WE BOUGHT IT USED WITH 60K MILES ON IT) WITHOUT SOME SORT OF WARNING LABEL ON IT. THANK GOD MY KIDS DIDN'T GET HURT SOMEHOW, BECAUSE IT WAS QUITE A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS SUDDENLY AT THE TOP OF A BIG, LONG HILL! IF MY KIDS HAD GOTTEN HURT, I PROBABLY COULD HAVE SUED THEM FOR A BILLION DOLLARS, BUT SINCE I ACTED QUICKLY, NOBODY WAS HURT, AND THUS, NOBODY AT NISSAN SEEMED TO CARE WHEN I COMPLAINED. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAULT MANUFACTURING! NO CAR'S TRANSMISSIONS SUDDENLY BREAK DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH LESS THAN 90K MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ODI #10765008

101,000 miles · Sep 2, 2015
Power Train

RADIATOR LEAKED ANTI-FREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS BUT NEVER ISSUED A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10761081

112,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Power Train

AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ON RAMP AND BACK TO THE FRONTAGE ROAD BEFORE MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK TO A REPAIR STATION WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED FLUID TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION IS A COMPLETE LOSS,…

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AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE LOST POWER, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ON RAMP AND BACK TO THE FRONTAGE ROAD BEFORE MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TOOK TO A REPAIR STATION WHERE IT WAS FOUND THE RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED FLUID TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. TRANSMISSION IS A COMPLETE LOSS, ALTHOUGH THE COST OF REPAIR ($5200) IS TROUBLING, THE FACT THAT MOMENTS LATER MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR CAUSED SOMEONE ELSE TO BE INJURED IS THE BIGGER ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE A BETTER LOOK INTO MAKING THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. AT SOME POINT SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS. NISSAN HAS MADE A VERY UN-REASONABLE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10760477

Official recalls

1

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.