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2005 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

770 reports with mileage · 75 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 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 242 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

412 reports
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113,998 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Power Train

DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE X-TERRA STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A FLUID CONTAMINATION BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. SPENT $5300 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM. I EXPECT THE TRANSMISSI…

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DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE X-TERRA STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. PUSHED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INVESTIGATED AND FOUND A FLUID CONTAMINATION BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. SPENT $5300 TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM. I EXPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO EVENTUALLY FAIL, BUT NOT AT 113K MILES. BUT, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE - A DESIGN/FLAW. THE WEB IS FULL OF TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FOR A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456331

87,575 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE NISSAN COOLING SYSTEM FOR 2005 XTERRA'S - THIS DEFECT ALLOWS ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE FAILURE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455339

112,651 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Power Train

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE WHEN HER NISSAN XTERRA WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR (IT'S AN AUTOMATIC). SHE HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN FIRST GEAR AND KEEP IT UNDER 15 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A …

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE WHEN HER NISSAN XTERRA WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR (IT'S AN AUTOMATIC). SHE HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN FIRST GEAR AND KEEP IT UNDER 15 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN, BUT WE WERE UNAWARE OF IT UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THE RADIATORS IN THIS MODEL HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY NEVER NOTIFIED MY WIFE (SHE'S THE ORIGINAL OWNER) OR ELSE WE WOULD'VE TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. THANK GOD SHE WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN A FATAL COLLISION AS A RESULT. EVEN THOUGH MY WIFE SUFFERED NO PHYSICAL HARM, WE'RE NOW FACING A $6100 REPAIR BILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454878

104,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I'VE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT MY XTERRA STARTED SHUDDERING WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A SPECIFIC OCCASION WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TO FIX A SEPARATE RECALL…

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I'VE NOTICED RECENTLY THAT MY XTERRA STARTED SHUDDERING WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HAS BEEN SHAKING WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A SPECIFIC OCCASION WHERE MY VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TO FIX A SEPARATE RECALL NOTICE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD MIXED WITH MY COOLANT, WHICH MEANT THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE BOTH MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454772

89,254 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE HIT BY ON COMING CARS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND HAS NOT RECALLED. I FEEL THIS IS POOR BUSINESS AND WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454202

99,000 miles · Mar 29, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10453460

126,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Power Train

THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IMMEDIATE DECELERATION, FORCED US TO CROSS LANES DURING PERIOD OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO ABILITY TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRANSMISSION MECHANIC STATED THAT FAIL…

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THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IMMEDIATE DECELERATION, FORCED US TO CROSS LANES DURING PERIOD OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO ABILITY TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRANSMISSION MECHANIC STATED THAT FAILURE WAS RUSTED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS. FOLLOW UP INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALED TO US THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON IN 2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S. A COMMON COMPONENT BETWEEN THE FACTORY RADIATOR AND AUTO TRANSMISSION COOLER RUSTS AND FAILS, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX WITH RADIATOR FLUID. THIS DESTROYS THE RADIATOR AND EVENTUALLY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DURING A SERVICE CALL AT A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2011, WE WERE MADE AWARE OF THE RADIATOR / TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAK, AND WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR SHOULD BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THIS SERVICE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION ISSUE WAS NEVER MENTIONED.

NHTSA ODI #10452008

85,000 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY XTERRA I STARTED TO NOTICE IT SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THIS WAS GETTING WORSE SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS FROM THE MOMENT I DROVE IN. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY HAVE FIXED MULTIPLE XTERRAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO NATURALLY THE WARRANTY HAS E…

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WHILE DRIVING MY XTERRA I STARTED TO NOTICE IT SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THIS WAS GETTING WORSE SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS FROM THE MOMENT I DROVE IN. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY HAVE FIXED MULTIPLE XTERRAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO NATURALLY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED SO MY COST IS 3800.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450714

95,000 miles · Mar 5, 2012
Power Train

AS WITH MOST OF THE 2ND GENERATION XTERRAS, MY RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE UP AND/OR AN INABILITY TO SHIFT. I FIRST FELT SHUDDERING WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4TH (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED A PROBLEM AND AND BEGAN DRIVING TO MY MECHANIC. I…

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AS WITH MOST OF THE 2ND GENERATION XTERRAS, MY RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE UP AND/OR AN INABILITY TO SHIFT. I FIRST FELT SHUDDERING WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4TH (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED A PROBLEM AND AND BEGAN DRIVING TO MY MECHANIC. I ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND FOUND MYSELF UNABLE TO GET OUT OF 1ST OR 2ND GEAR - I COULD NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR WITH TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT 65+ AND NO SHOULDER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT APPARENTLY THIS ISSUE HAPPENS BETWEEN 85K AND 100K TYPICALLY (MY ISSUE CAME TO LIGHT AT AROUND 95,000). I WAS IN SERIOUS DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BY ANY MEANS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450405

122,784 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449659

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.

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.

05V458000 · Trailer Hitches

Oct 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. 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.