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2008 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

277 reports with mileage · 51 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 155 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

328 reports
112,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
EnginePower Train

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP WITH 109,000 MILES ON IT. NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER BUYING IT, THE INTERCOOLER LINE CRACKED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX. THIS COMPLETELY DESTROYED MY RADIATOR, WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE, ALONG WITH FLUSHING THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM. IT ALSO CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO FA…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP WITH 109,000 MILES ON IT. NOT EVEN A MONTH AFTER BUYING IT, THE INTERCOOLER LINE CRACKED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX. THIS COMPLETELY DESTROYED MY RADIATOR, WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE, ALONG WITH FLUSHING THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM. IT ALSO CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. TO REPAIR MY CAR WILL COST ME ABOUT $5,000. I WENT TO NISSAN ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS ABLE TO TEMPORARILY FIX IT, BUT NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY JUNK AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT OR GIVE IT BACK TO THE BANK. ALL OF THESE ISSUES OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11115398

105,113 miles · Jul 27, 2018
Power Train

TURNED A CORNER, DRIVING BELOW SPEED LIMIT ON CITY STREET, ALL LIGHTS WITHIN THE DASHBOARD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFF (4WD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON, ETC.) WENT ON, AND ALL READINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON WENT OFF (ODOMETER, AND SO ON). STOPPED AT RED LIGHT; TURNED OFF VEHICLE HOPING TO RESET BEFORE DRIVING HOME AND IT WOULD NOT TUR…

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TURNED A CORNER, DRIVING BELOW SPEED LIMIT ON CITY STREET, ALL LIGHTS WITHIN THE DASHBOARD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFF (4WD, SERVICE ENGINE SOON, ETC.) WENT ON, AND ALL READINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON WENT OFF (ODOMETER, AND SO ON). STOPPED AT RED LIGHT; TURNED OFF VEHICLE HOPING TO RESET BEFORE DRIVING HOME AND IT WOULD NOT TURN ON; LIGHTS, RADIO, A/C WERE STILL ACTIVE SO IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. ONLY ABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL WITH VEHICLE OFF TO ROLL TO A PARKING SPACE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES OR WARNING PRIOR AS I PERFORM REGULAR MAINTENANCE AS RECOMMENDED BY DEALERSHIP - HAPPENED SUDDENLY. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY AS IT WAS ALREADY AFTER MIDNIGHT. THIS FOLLOWED TWO ATTEMPTS CALLING MY WARRANTY COMPANY AND BEING DISCONNECTED; ULTIMATELY CALLED FAMILY IN THE AREA TO ASSIST WHO HELPED ME ROLLED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET. AFTER TOW AND DIAGNOSIS, DEALER FOUND FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR (LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION) AND THERE FOR FAILURE OF TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). DEALER CLAIMS NO RECALL PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT YET THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS EXACT RECALL AND MODEL IN THE NATIONAL DATABASE WHEN I RESEARCHED FURTHER AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ADJUSTER DENIED MY CLAIM FOR COVERAGE. THIS PROCESS ALONE TOOK 7-9 BUSINESS DAYS; I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI #11114058

110,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
EnginePower Train

CAR BEGIN HAVING ISSUES WHILE SHIFTING, MADE CLUNKING SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING, NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY BOTH ON HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. REPAIR SHOP QUOTED US FOR RADIATOR REPLACEMENT AND TRANSMISSION …

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CAR BEGIN HAVING ISSUES WHILE SHIFTING, MADE CLUNKING SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING, NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY BOTH ON HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. REPAIR SHOP QUOTED US FOR RADIATOR REPLACEMENT AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE BUT WARNED IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS TOO CONTAMINATED IT COULD NEED A WHOLE REPLACEMENT OF THAT AS WELL. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE FOR THIS ISSUE WE FOUND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR NISSAN PATHFINDERS OF THIS AGE AND WITH THIS RADIATOR TYPE. IT CAN CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE UP WHILE DRIVING AND RENDER THE CAR UNABLE TO BE CONTROLLED.

NHTSA ODI #11113997

18,000 miles · Jul 22, 2018
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKIN

NHTSA ODI #11112899

179,800 miles · Jun 14, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

"NISSAN PATHFINDER" MY VEHICLE DECELERATES ABRUPTLY AS A RESULT TO AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE RADIATOR FLUID & TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING. THIS RESULTED IN THE NEED FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF NEARLY $4000.00. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT WILL BEGIN JERKING …

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"NISSAN PATHFINDER" MY VEHICLE DECELERATES ABRUPTLY AS A RESULT TO AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE RADIATOR FLUID & TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING. THIS RESULTED IN THE NEED FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF NEARLY $4000.00. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT WILL BEGIN JERKING AND SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IF A VEHICLE IS UNDER 200,000 MILES. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND DRIVING (IN MOTION) WITH NO ISSUES ALONG THE INTERSTATE (HIGHWAY) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED JERKING AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. IT CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE AS I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE TILL THAT POINT. THE ISSUES OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND OUT OF THE BLUE. NISSAN SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS AND/OR RADIATORS AT NO COST SINCE THE DEFECT WAS MANUFACTURE RELATED.

NHTSA ODI #11101887

127,000 miles · Jun 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

RADIATOR FAILURE.... CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. RUINING THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER BOARD. I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT WAS ACTING WEIRD, SO I PARKED IT TURNED THE CAR OFF WENT TO TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULDN'T START.

NHTSA ODI #11100725

110,000 miles · May 29, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED) HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COST ME $350 BUT I DIDN'T KEEP A RECEIPT. AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAD A SHOP DID THE REPAIR BUT HAS SINCE MOVED AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MORE THAN A FEW GALLONS OF GAS WHEN PUMPING GAS BEFORE IT WOULD CUT OFF. I WOULD WAIT A FEW MI…

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THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE (I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED) HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COST ME $350 BUT I DIDN'T KEEP A RECEIPT. AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAD A SHOP DID THE REPAIR BUT HAS SINCE MOVED AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT MORE THAN A FEW GALLONS OF GAS WHEN PUMPING GAS BEFORE IT WOULD CUT OFF. I WOULD WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND PUMP A FEW MORE GALLONS AND IT WOULD CUT OFF AGAIN. I HAD IT REPLACED LAST YEAR BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THE MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11098460

136,000 miles · May 29, 2018
Air Bags

THE LIGHT SHOWING THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY IS ON AND FLASHING. IT CAME ON MAY23, 2018 WHEN I TURNED THE KEY ON TO GO TO THE STORE. IT NEVER GOES OFF

NHTSA ODI #11098453

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL I READ THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME COLAINTS ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS 08 TO 10 ON TRANSMISSIONS . I'M HAVING A PROBLEM OUT OF MY TRANSMISSION. IT STICKS AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO CUT MY CAR OFF FOR IT TO SHIFT BACK SO I CAN PULL OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11097792

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2018
Engine

WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE OR PARK THE GEAR CHANGE STARTED TO BECOME DELAYED AND ROUGH THIS LATER PROGRESSED TO A LACK OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THESE PROBLEMS HINTED TO THERE BEING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TOOK IT INTO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLANT WAS MIXING IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THEREFORE DAMAGING BOTH THE R…

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WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE OR PARK THE GEAR CHANGE STARTED TO BECOME DELAYED AND ROUGH THIS LATER PROGRESSED TO A LACK OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. THESE PROBLEMS HINTED TO THERE BEING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TOOK IT INTO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLANT WAS MIXING IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THEREFORE DAMAGING BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11093956

Official recalls

4

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Sep 10, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR 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.