NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
845 reports80,625 miles · Feb 5, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,625. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10496440
101,985 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH OVER THE YEARS MY ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR ALL PERIODS OF TIME AND THEN GO OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT CAME ON I RAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE BROKE DOWN. NO DIAGNOSIS WAS FOUND (PHANTOM LIGHT - $300 TO TELL NO THERE WAS NO PROBLEM) SO AFTER THAT I DID NOT RUN TO THE DE…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH OVER THE YEARS MY ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR ALL PERIODS OF TIME AND THEN GO OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT CAME ON I RAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE BROKE DOWN. NO DIAGNOSIS WAS FOUND (PHANTOM LIGHT - $300 TO TELL NO THERE WAS NO PROBLEM) SO AFTER THAT I DID NOT RUN TO THE DEALER EVERYTHING THE LIGHT COME ONE WHICH WAS MOST OF THE TIME. STARTING IN JANUARY 2012 MY 2005 XTERRA WOULD SEEM TO HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME CHANGING OVER AT CERTAIN SPEEDS ESPECIALLY 40-45 AND 55-60 MPH. I MAINLY DRIVE HIGHWAY SO I KNEW THIS WAS NOT NORMAL FOR MY CAR. SINCE THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND I HAD A STATE INSPECTION COMING UP IN MARCH-APRIL 2012 I WANTED TO WAIT BECAUSE I CANNOT BE WITHOUT A CAR. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON FROM JANUARY UNTIL APRIL WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. FINALLY IN EARLY APRIL 2012 I REALIZED THAT THE HEATS WAS NOT WORKING. AT THE APRIL 10, 2012 INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR ($999.45). THEY TOLD ME THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSIONS BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR SEEMED TO WORK FINE AFTER THE REPAIR, NO DIFFICULTLY CHANGING OVER AT CERTAIN SPEEDS UNTIL OCTOBER 18, 012 WHEN I LEFT WORK AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AAA CAME AND TRIED TO JUMP IT TO NO AVAIL. TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC (NOT GOING BACK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN) AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION COOLING PROBLEM ($1,950.98) AND TWO WEEKS WITHOUT A CAR AND $100 TOWING BILL. NOW I GET A LETTER FROM ABOUT LAWSUIT WITH NISSAN BUT MY VEHILES DIAGNOSIS OCCURRED 1,985 MILES AFTER THE ALLOTTED MILEAGE (100,000). SO, I AM OUT $2950.45 PLUS THE COST OF TOWING AND RENT A CARS WITH THE VEHIILE THAT I AM NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO TRADE IN BECAUSE NO DEALER WOULD PURCHASE IT FROM ME KNOWING THE PROBLEMS WITH 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10497201
90,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
WHILE I AM DRIVING MY VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED SHOWING THE FUEL LIMIT PROPERLY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON SINCE THEN. I DID NOT FIND ANY SOLUTION, NISSAN HAS THE FAULTY DEVICE AND IT SHOULD FIX IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10495140
117,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA ODI #10495117
80,600 miles · Jan 28, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHAKES VEHICLE WHILE SHIFTING GOING 40-55 MPH. DEALER EVALUATED VEHICLE AND STATED THAT A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494965
104,000 miles · Jan 26, 2013
EnginePower Train
ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2012, I GOT BACK FROM A 20 MINUTE TRIP AND WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY XTERRA WOULD NOT MOVE. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY ESTIMATED THE COST TO BE BETWEEN $2,500 AND $2,800. WHEN THEY REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE…
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ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2012, I GOT BACK FROM A 20 MINUTE TRIP AND WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY XTERRA WOULD NOT MOVE. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY ESTIMATED THE COST TO BE BETWEEN $2,500 AND $2,800. WHEN THEY REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED THE REPAIR BILL WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HIGHER BUT THEY KEPT THEIR PROMISE AND THE FINAL BILL WAS $2,856. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT THAT IS NOT MY FAULT AND THAT IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494823
120,000 miles · Jan 24, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 4TH GEAR DOESNT SHIFT. THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494605
106,716 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE U JOINTS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT STATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE U JOINTS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,716.
NHTSA ODI #10492082
98,000 miles · Jan 7, 2013
EnginePower TrainSteering
JUST STARTED MOVING AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY, BUT WHEN IT FINALLY RESTARTED IT WAS MISSING. EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE THEN IT HAS STALLED, USUALLY BUT NOT ALWAYS AFTER I HAVE STOPPED OR SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK (1/5/2013) AND WA…
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JUST STARTED MOVING AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY, BUT WHEN IT FINALLY RESTARTED IT WAS MISSING. EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE THEN IT HAS STALLED, USUALLY BUT NOT ALWAYS AFTER I HAVE STOPPED OR SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK (1/5/2013) AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE RADIATOR AND THEY BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE $3000.00 CO-PAY. I HAVE TO FIX THE CAR BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M GOING TO GET $3000.00. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NISSAN DIDN'T RECALL THE PART THAT FAILS WHICH ALLOWS THE FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR. THAT WOULD HAVE SAVED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND NISSAN A LOT OF TROUBLE AND EXPENSE. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY CO-PAY SINCE NISSAN COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491680
119,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Power Train
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING THE AFTERNOON ON A SUNNY DAY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS EXITING THE ENTRANCE RAMP ONTO I-75 NORTH FROM BUSINESS I-75. WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE (APPROXIMATELY 60MPH) THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO "JERK AND HESITATE" MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE V…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING THE AFTERNOON ON A SUNNY DAY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS EXITING THE ENTRANCE RAMP ONTO I-75 NORTH FROM BUSINESS I-75. WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE (APPROXIMATELY 60MPH) THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO "JERK AND HESITATE" MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE ENTRANCE RAMP ENTERS THE FREEWAY IN THE LEFT LANE, SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE OTHER CARS AND GET HER VEHICLE OFF TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BUT THERE WAS A NEAR MISS. UPON CONTACTING NISSAN THEY INFORMED ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY DIDN'T FEEL THEY NEEDED TO REPORT THE DEFECT TO ME, AND THEREFORE ENDANGERING ME AND MY FAMILY, BECAUSE NHTSA HAD NOT FORCED THEM TO INTO A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490834
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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
1DP12004 · 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.