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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.

About this comparison →
845Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
157
200272
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
2008
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
412Fuel System, Gasoline
242Engine And Engine Cooling
167Engine
114Fuel System, Other
49
All reported categories
Electrical System
39Fuel/propulsion System
32Unknown Or Other
25Air Bags
19Vehicle Speed Control
12Steering
10Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Suspension
8Equipment
6Structure
4Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Trailer Hitches
3Child Seat
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

What owners actually said

845 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2021
EnginePower TrainSuspension

Bought vehicle from used from private owner a year ago and noticed less then two weeks later while driving including on the freeway the engine just turns off with no steering control, almost no brake control, and sometimes takes a few minutes to start up again just to get out of the way of other vehicles. Now it’s overheating an…

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Bought vehicle from used from private owner a year ago and noticed less then two weeks later while driving including on the freeway the engine just turns off with no steering control, almost no brake control, and sometimes takes a few minutes to start up again just to get out of the way of other vehicles. Now it’s overheating and leaking coolant on front passenger side floor along with the ground now shutting off more frequently . Also shortly after I bought the vehicle I could hear squeaking noises from under vehicle while driving over the smallest bump and every turn and is so loud it’s heard from 2 small streets away and feels like any second the body might separate from the wheels. I’m not sure about the rest.

NHTSA ODI #11428187

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2021
Air BagsEngineService Brakes

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON THEN ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED STALLING AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE OFF ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. AND NOW THE O2 SENSORS BLINK IS ON AND SHIFT SOLENOID WHAT'S NEXT I LOVE MY NISSAN BUT IT'S ALMOST GOTTEN ME KILLED 4 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11405180

129,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

YES IN THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRAS THERE IS NO FLOATING ARM DEVICE WITHIN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO READ INCORRECTLY TO THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN. IT ALSO DOESN'T REPORT YOUR DTE ON THE DASH PANEL BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN CORRODED, OR WAS M…

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YES IN THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRAS THERE IS NO FLOATING ARM DEVICE WITHIN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO READ INCORRECTLY TO THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN. IT ALSO DOESN'T REPORT YOUR DTE ON THE DASH PANEL BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN CORRODED, OR WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, AND HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DAMAGED. SO NOW WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS WHILE STARTED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY BUT REMAIN RUNNING, OR YOU COULD FILL YOUR VEHICLE UP ALL THE WAY WITH GAS, AND THEN WHEN YOU START THE XTERRA, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SHOW EMPTY STILL UNTIL IT WAS AT 3 QUARTERS OF THE TANK, THEN IT WILL READ IT AT 3 QUARTERS OF A TANK UNTIL HALF A TANK. UNLESS THE VEHICLE SITS TO LONG WITHOUT MOVING, THEN VEHICLE WILL SHOW THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO BE EMPTY. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE NISSAN XTERRAS TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD WHICH COULD LEAD TO FRONT, SIDE, REAR, AND ROLLOVER CRASHES.

NHTSA ODI #11396894

95,234 miles · Jan 2, 2021
Power Train

TRANSMISSION ISSUES. RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA ODI #11386136

121,000 miles · Oct 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IDLED. FUELS STOPS REPEATEDLY WHEN REFUELING.

NHTSA ODI #11365644

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2020
Structure

THE SILVER PAINT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. THE PAINT CLEAR COAT BUBBLES AND PEELS OFF. WHEN I'VE CALLED AUTO BODY SHOPS ABOUT GETTING IT REPAINTED THEY ARE ALL WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS IT IS COMMON AMONG SILVER 2005 NISSAN XTERRAS. I'VE HAD THEM GUESS AND TELL ME WHAT YEAR AND COLOR MY CAR IS BECAUSE THEY AR…

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THE SILVER PAINT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR APPEARS TO BE FAULTY. THE PAINT CLEAR COAT BUBBLES AND PEELS OFF. WHEN I'VE CALLED AUTO BODY SHOPS ABOUT GETTING IT REPAINTED THEY ARE ALL WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS IT IS COMMON AMONG SILVER 2005 NISSAN XTERRAS. I'VE HAD THEM GUESS AND TELL ME WHAT YEAR AND COLOR MY CAR IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE, BUT IT STARTED TO PEEL OFF IN ABOUT 2018.

NHTSA ODI #11355016

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL #10V075000. THIS AFFECTED 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS, MINE IS A 2005. THE FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED, AFTER DRIVING AWHILE IT STARTS TO CLIMB BACK UP TO READ NEAR FULL, THEN IT WILL APPEARS TO DECREASE AS NORMAL, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE TA…

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I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL #10V075000. THIS AFFECTED 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS, MINE IS A 2005. THE FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED, AFTER DRIVING AWHILE IT STARTS TO CLIMB BACK UP TO READ NEAR FULL, THEN IT WILL APPEARS TO DECREASE AS NORMAL, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK, SO YOU HAVE TO BASE IT ON MILES TRAVELED. THE PROBLEM IS YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE STATION ATTENDANT (I LIVE IN OR SO YOU CAN'T FILL YOUR OWN VEHICLE WITH GAS) HAS ACTUALLY FILLED THE TANK OR DID IT CLICK OFF EARLY AGAIN, WHICH IT FREQUENTLY DOES. SO YOU CAN RUN OUT OF GAS EASILY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FUEL GAUGE THAT DOESN'T FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE ABOUT 2011, BUT I'M TIRED OF DEALING WITH IT. DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL DATE WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED, BUT IT HAS BEEN ONGOING.

NHTSA ODI #11355012

247,352 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER NEIGHBOR WHO OWNS THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND ON ANOTHER …

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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER NEIGHBOR WHO OWNS THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A UNKNOWN SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,352.

NHTSA ODI #11351361

128,000 miles · Aug 18, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO POWER WHEN PULLING OUT INTO STREET. SEEMED TO DRIVE IN 4TH GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11350114

160,000 miles · Apr 1, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I WAS ENTERING THE 101 FROM BROADWAY ROAD IN MESA. THERE WAS A CAR 2 SECONDS BEHIND ME. I WAS CHANGING LANES GOING TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED WITH THE INTENT TO PASS ME AND NEARLY HIT ME. I HAD TO SWERVE BACK TO MY ORIGINAL LANE. I THEN CHANGED LANES AND WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES GOING LEFT AND THE SAME CA…

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I WAS ENTERING THE 101 FROM BROADWAY ROAD IN MESA. THERE WAS A CAR 2 SECONDS BEHIND ME. I WAS CHANGING LANES GOING TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED WITH THE INTENT TO PASS ME AND NEARLY HIT ME. I HAD TO SWERVE BACK TO MY ORIGINAL LANE. I THEN CHANGED LANES AND WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES GOING LEFT AND THE SAME CAR ATTEMPTED TO AGGRESSIVELY PASS ME AFTER I HAD ALREADY BEGAN CHANGING LANES. I HAD TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AGAIN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I LET THIS MAZDA CAR PASS AND THEN CHANGED LANES GOING LEFT. AT THAT POINT THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN FROM GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT AS IT WAS OBVIOUS THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ANNOY AND FRUSTRATE ME FOR NO REASON. HE CONTINUED THIS SPEED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE BEFORE CHANGING LANES. HE NEARLY CAUSED 4 SEPARATE ACCIDENTS WITH HIS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11319917

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.