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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

What owners actually said

561 reports
100,433 miles · Oct 21, 2012
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 START MAKING A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CAR IN 1 BUT IT WAS ON DRIVE, THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ALARM APPEAR. I PARKED THE CAR BUT WHEN TURNING ON AGAIN IT DIDN'T. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT DAMAGE TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPUTER BECAUSE WA…

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I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 2007 START MAKING A NOISE IN THE MOTOR LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE THE CAR IN 1 BUT IT WAS ON DRIVE, THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON ALARM APPEAR. I PARKED THE CAR BUT WHEN TURNING ON AGAIN IT DIDN'T. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT DAMAGE TRANSMISSION AND THE COMPUTER BECAUSE WAS DAMAGED. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $9,400. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481309

49,000 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAULTY OCCUPANCY DETECTION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10481151

24,500 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Power Train

A VIBRATION OCCURS AT ABOUT 1500 RPM. AT THE TIME MY CAR HAD ABOUT 24000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME MY TORQUE CONVERTER WAS GOING OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG BUT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS AND THEREFORE IT WAS N…

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A VIBRATION OCCURS AT ABOUT 1500 RPM. AT THE TIME MY CAR HAD ABOUT 24000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME MY TORQUE CONVERTER WAS GOING OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG BUT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS AND THEREFORE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. IT IS NOW 54000 MILES AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE VERY EASILY. I AGAIN TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS AS BLACK AS MOTOR OIL. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND, SAME STORY, THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY THREE MONTHS. THEY AGAIN SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT IT WAS. EVEN THOUGH I MADE THE COMPLAINT ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AS THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE IS QUITE A LITANY OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURES FROM NISSAN PRODUCTS. I AM OBVIOUSLY QUITE UPSET AND DISSATISFIED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480133

85,042 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT VARIOUS SPEED LEVELS. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED AND DAMAGED TRANSMISSION THROUGH CROSS CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BUT THE WARRANTY IS ONLY EXTENDED TO 80,000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEMS IN MOST CASES SHOW UP AFTER 8…

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THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AT VARIOUS SPEED LEVELS. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED AND DAMAGED TRANSMISSION THROUGH CROSS CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS BUT THE WARRANTY IS ONLY EXTENDED TO 80,000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEMS IN MOST CASES SHOW UP AFTER 80,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10479710

91,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
EnginePower Train

I STARTED HAVING A SUDDEN JERKING IN MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO A NISSAN DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE WITH THE RADIATOR INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WHICH ALLOWED LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALE…

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I STARTED HAVING A SUDDEN JERKING IN MY 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO A NISSAN DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE WITH THE RADIATOR INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WHICH ALLOWED LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALER NOW STATES THAT I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH ITEMS OR TRADE IT IN. .... COME ON NISSAN YOU HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM. WE NEED A RECALL....... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477262

97,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR DEFECT LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL; WILL NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR. ALSO, ENGINE TIMING CHAIN DEFECTS IN 2005-2010 PATHFINDERS. REPAIRS ARE SET TO BE $12,000 - WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476901

104,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. TWO DAYS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. TWO DAYS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A HOSE THAT MALFUNCTION MIXING FLUIDS COMING FROM BOTH. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475674

85,000 miles · Sep 15, 2012
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A THUD AND LOST POWER, HAD TO GO OVER 2 LANES WITHOUT BEING HIT.... I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NEW EXCACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS. RADIOTOR FLUID GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL... HUNDREDS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A THUD AND LOST POWER, HAD TO GO OVER 2 LANES WITHOUT BEING HIT.... I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE MECHANIC NEW EXCACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS. RADIOTOR FLUID GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL... HUNDREDS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TELL NISSAN TO RECALL THIS NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.. SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY $8000 FOR NISSANS CRAPPY WORK.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475479

79,000 miles · Sep 11, 2012
Power Train

NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE (TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR} AND WHEN I CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE CHECKED BY A NISSAN DEALER. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 250 MILES AWAY TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AT MY OWN EXPENSE, WAIT 2 AND A HALF WEEKS FOR THEM TO TELL ME BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT USED (NOT NEW} THEY DECIDED THA…

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NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE (TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR} AND WHEN I CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID IT HAD TO BE CHECKED BY A NISSAN DEALER. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 250 MILES AWAY TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AT MY OWN EXPENSE, WAIT 2 AND A HALF WEEKS FOR THEM TO TELL ME BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT USED (NOT NEW} THEY DECIDED THAT THEY CAN NOT COVER IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. SO A USED VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY? NOW I HAVE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE IT TOWED BACK AT MY EXPENSE ANOTHER $375, THIS IS WRONG ON ALL LEVELS AND SHOULD BE COVERED THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS. THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE VEHICLE'S LOSING POWER IN TRAFFIC, ON THE HIGHWAYS AND HOW THEY BARELY AVOIDED GETTING INTO MAJOR ACCIDENT'S. I KNOW THAT THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS DONE UP AN ARTICLE ABOUT THIS AND I THINK IF WE CAN BAIL OUT THE AUTO INDUSTRY EVEN THOUGH NISSAN DID NOT TAKE A BAIL OUT WE SHOULD MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DEFECTS OR DO WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMEONE DIES BECAUSE OF THESE DEFECTS BEFORE SOMEONE MAKES THEM ACCOUNTABLE. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS PATHFINDER, FIRST GM BURNED ME VERY BADLY AND NOW NISSAN. PLEASE PLEASE.... SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. "PLEADING FOR YOUR HELP" THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475119

160,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

MY PATHFINDER WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SLOWING FROM THE SPEED OF AS I WAS BRAKING AND LETTING OFF THE GAS, BUT IT KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND SHAKING. IF THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM HARD. MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN TO SLOW DOWN, DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. THE COST OF MY REPAIR OF BOTH R…

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MY PATHFINDER WAS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SLOWING FROM THE SPEED OF AS I WAS BRAKING AND LETTING OFF THE GAS, BUT IT KEPT MOVING FORWARD AND SHAKING. IF THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM HARD. MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN TO SLOW DOWN, DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. THE COST OF MY REPAIR OF BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION IS OVER $5000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474441

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.