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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
44,500 miles · May 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 XTERRA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WENT ON AND AFTER TESTING MY ECU I RECEIVED ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH IS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR TANK WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT. A SIMIL…

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MY 2005 XTERRA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WENT ON AND AFTER TESTING MY ECU I RECEIVED ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH IS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR TANK WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272416

55,000 miles · May 26, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN EXTERRA. FUEL SENSOR LIGHT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST 350.00 TO REPLACE! WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269921

50,000 miles · May 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE IN NISSAN XTERRA 2005 AROUND 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268995

100,024 miles · May 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN FULL. MY WARRANTY IS NP LONGER IN FORCE AND I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE COST TO US CONSUMERS, ON THIS PREXISTING FACTORY DEFECT, NOT ONLY AFFECTS XTERRAS BUT ALSO OTHER NISSAN MODELS. I.E. INTERNET LINK: HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/XTERRA/4151-FUEL-GAU…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN FULL. MY WARRANTY IS NP LONGER IN FORCE AND I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE COST TO US CONSUMERS, ON THIS PREXISTING FACTORY DEFECT, NOT ONLY AFFECTS XTERRAS BUT ALSO OTHER NISSAN MODELS. I.E. INTERNET LINK: HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/XTERRA/4151-FUEL-GAUGE-PROBLEM-SEVICE-ENGINE-SOON-LIGHT.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268933

89,000 miles · May 15, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. NISSAN HAS HAD CRONIC PROBLEMS WITH FIVE DIFFERENT MODELS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. CONTACTED NISSAN WITH NO SUCESS. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD COVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268875

96,000 miles · Apr 24, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY TANK WHEN THE PUMP CLICKED OFF I PUT THE GAS CAP BACK ON UNTIL IT CLICKED. I PROCEED TO START THE XTERRA AND NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. FINALLY AFTER DRIVING 45 MILES THE GAUGE MOVED TO THE FULL POSITION. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE TIME OCCURANCE BUT IT …

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY TANK WHEN THE PUMP CLICKED OFF I PUT THE GAS CAP BACK ON UNTIL IT CLICKED. I PROCEED TO START THE XTERRA AND NOTICED THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. FINALLY AFTER DRIVING 45 MILES THE GAUGE MOVED TO THE FULL POSITION. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE TIME OCCURANCE BUT IT PROCEED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DOING RESEACH ON THE WEB I FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON OCCURANCE ON 2005 AND BEYOND XTERRAS. HAVING MADE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO GET THIS FIXED IT APPEARS THAT I WILL HAVE TO GET FUEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $600. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT A RECALL WAS DONE ON 2001 - 2004 XTERRAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THEIR OWNERS. I FEE THAT NISSAN HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO XTERRAS MADE BEYOND 2004. IN TODAY'S ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS AND PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED IS UNECESSARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266597

45,555 miles · Apr 19, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 45K AND THE FUEL NEEDLE GOES TO "E" AND THEN FLUCTUATES UP TO HALF THEN GOES DOWN AGAIN. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. I CAN'T TELL WHAT MY FUEL LEVEL IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED UP, THE FUEL NEEDLE READS EMPTY! I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS …

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 45K AND THE FUEL NEEDLE GOES TO "E" AND THEN FLUCTUATES UP TO HALF THEN GOES DOWN AGAIN. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. I CAN'T TELL WHAT MY FUEL LEVEL IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED UP, THE FUEL NEEDLE READS EMPTY! I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO CONTACT A TOW TRUCK SERVICE FOR FUEL. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND IT WOULD COST ME $567 FOR THE PART (FUEL SENDING UNIT) NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I WILL NOT PAY THIS RIDICULOUS AMOUNT AS I HAVE FOUND OUT THROUGH OTHER NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS THAT THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND THIS OUT THROUGH AN INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR 2005 AND NEWER MODELS OF NISSAN XTERRA'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266024

93,000 miles · Apr 11, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE ERROR CODES AND THE TEST RESULTED WITH A P0463 CODE (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT). I HAVE NOTICES PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE BEING STUCK ON EMPTY WITH LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER FILLING TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVIN…

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE ERROR CODES AND THE TEST RESULTED WITH A P0463 CODE (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT). I HAVE NOTICES PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE BEING STUCK ON EMPTY WITH LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER FILLING TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVING FOR FEW DAYS THE GAUGE EVENTUALLY AND SLOWLY BEGIN TO INDICATE FUEL. I'VE SINCE READ MANY FORUMS ON NISSAN SUV'S THAT HAVE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264998

37,514 miles · Apr 11, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 XTERRA: FUEL GAGE INOPERABLE. 10 DAYS AGO, FUEL GAGE QUIT WORKING. NEXT FEW DAYS, IT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES; SOMETIMES NOT. LAST 4 DAYS, IT HAS NOT WORKED AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264983

42,000 miles · Apr 8, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

HI I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THAT ONE DAY OUT OF THE BLUE, WITH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING OR BECOMES INACCURATE. ON THE ODB II, IT SHOWS AS PO463. NISSAN WILL NOT COVE…

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HI I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THESE VEHICLES ARE HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK ON THE FUEL PUMP. THE SYMPTOMS ARE THAT ONE DAY OUT OF THE BLUE, WITH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING OR BECOMES INACCURATE. ON THE ODB II, IT SHOWS AS PO463. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER AND THIS IS UNSAFE, AS YOU HAVE TO "GUESS" BY MILEAGE HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT. MINE WENT OUT AND I FIXED IT MYSELF AS I WAS CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AT A BAD TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264770

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.