NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsClear category filter902,000 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2006 NISSAN XTERRA: I REPLACED THE RADIATOR & HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED LAST AUGUST(COST NEARLY $2K) . A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AFTER GOING ABOUT 60 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ENGAGING TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. TODAY AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES IT DID NOT ACCELERATE AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I …
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA: I REPLACED THE RADIATOR & HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED LAST AUGUST(COST NEARLY $2K) . A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AFTER GOING ABOUT 60 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ENGAGING TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. TODAY AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES IT DID NOT ACCELERATE AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT GET IT TO GO OVER 20 MPH BUT WAS REVVING AT 4RPM. NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611333
115,000 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I BOUGHT A NISSAN XTERRA 06 IN SEPTEMBER 2013. IT'S NOW JULY 5 2014, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT, AND I'M HAVING ISSUES GETTING MY CAR FIXED. SOMETHING IN THE RADIATOR BUSTED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH MEANS THAT I NOW NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO COST ROUGHL…
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I BOUGHT A NISSAN XTERRA 06 IN SEPTEMBER 2013. IT'S NOW JULY 5 2014, NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT, AND I'M HAVING ISSUES GETTING MY CAR FIXED. SOMETHING IN THE RADIATOR BUSTED AND CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH MEANS THAT I NOW NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO COST ROUGHLY 5,100 DOLLARS TO FIX IN WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR SO THAT IF I HAD ANY MAJOR ISSUES, LIKE THIS, I WOULD BE COVERED FINANCIALLY BC ANYONE KNOWS THAT CAR REPAIRS CAN BE QUITE COSTLY. I WAS TOLD THAT, ZURICH, MY WARRANTY COMPANY, WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BC THE PROBLEM CAME FROM THE RADIATOR AND IT'S NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY WHICH LEAVES ME TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALERSHIP I GOT MY CAR FROM SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS I HAVEN'T HAD IT A WHOLE YEAR YET. I FEEL AS IF I'VE BEEN SKREWED OVER. NISSAN ALSO NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL BC I'M NOT THE ONLY 06 XTERRA OWNER TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ME, I HAVE A 1 YR. OLD DAUGHTER AND I NEED MY CAR FIXED AND DON'T HAVE 5100 DOLLARS TO FIX IT MYSELF. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608288
101,000 miles · Jul 3, 2014
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling
THERE WAS RECALL FOR VEHICLES SIMILAR IN YEAR AS MY CAR. THE RECALL WAS # 10V517000 AND WAS FOR THE "INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM)". I CALLED NISSAN AMERICA, AND ALTHOUGH MANY VEHICLES OF MY YEAR AND MAKE/MODEL WERE AFFECTED, MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED ON THIS RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS…
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THERE WAS RECALL FOR VEHICLES SIMILAR IN YEAR AS MY CAR. THE RECALL WAS # 10V517000 AND WAS FOR THE "INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM)". I CALLED NISSAN AMERICA, AND ALTHOUGH MANY VEHICLES OF MY YEAR AND MAKE/MODEL WERE AFFECTED, MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED ON THIS RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND EXACTLY WHAT I HAD TO PAY FOR TO GET FIXED. I WAS EVEN DRIVING WHEN IT STALLED OUT ON ME NUMEROUS TIMES AND I AM THANKFUL IT WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. IF POSSIBLE I WOULD LIKE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND POTENTIALLY BE REIMBURSED BY NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608178
128,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN MY XTERRA WAS IDLING IN PARK OR AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR GARAGE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL NISSAN IS NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY RADIATORS BEING INSTALLED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK / …
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WHEN MY XTERRA WAS IDLING IN PARK OR AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. ALSO WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR GARAGE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL NISSAN IS NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY RADIATORS BEING INSTALLED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK / MIX IN WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, THUS DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION, POSSIBLY TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR. MY CAR IS SITTING AT A GARAGE NOW WAITING FOR THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED AND TRY TO RUN THE VEHICLE TO SEE HOW BAD THE DAMAGE NOW IS TO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604586
72,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION COOLER ,LOCATED IN RADIATOR, CRACKED AND ALLOWED MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD POWER LOSS DURING A MERGE ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL HARM TO MY WIFE AND 4 YEAR OLD SON. NISSAN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHI…
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TRANSMISSION COOLER ,LOCATED IN RADIATOR, CRACKED AND ALLOWED MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HAD POWER LOSS DURING A MERGE ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POTENTIAL HARM TO MY WIFE AND 4 YEAR OLD SON. NISSAN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH CLEARLY ACKNOWLEDGES THERE IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR. NO SAFETY RECALL WAS MADE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INJURY OTHERS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS FAILURE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A LARGE SCALE ISSUE AND SETTLEMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE, NISSAN HAS A RESPONSIBILITY WHERE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS CAN CAUSE HARM TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597198
105,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ANTIFREEZE IN TRANSMISSION CAUSING SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596937
148,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE COOLANT STARTED MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO BROKEN LINE FROM TRANSMISSION TO RADIATOR. NOW MY CAR SHUTTERS WHEN YOUR PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS. JERKS AT TIMES WHEN IT GETS HOTTER. COMPANY IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT HAS OVER 100K MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE DEFECT…
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ENGINE COOLANT STARTED MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO BROKEN LINE FROM TRANSMISSION TO RADIATOR. NOW MY CAR SHUTTERS WHEN YOUR PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IS HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS. JERKS AT TIMES WHEN IT GETS HOTTER. COMPANY IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT HAS OVER 100K MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW OF THE DEFECT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DEFINITELY!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596503
102,820 miles · May 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND WAS OVERHEATING. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT WERE INTERMIXED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE RADIATOR. BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FLUID MIXING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10592964
117,700 miles · May 15, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING 45-50 MPH, THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL AND SOMETIMES VIOLENT SHAKE IN THE DRIVETRAIN...LIKE DRIVING OVER RUMBLE BARS. ALSO SOME LOSS OF POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AND HARD SHIFTING. THIS IS FROM TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588688
133,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $7,000. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL NISSAN MODELS, YEARS 2005-2010 AND CLASS ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDED NO HELP TO SOMEONE IN MY SITUATION WITH OVER 100,000 MILES…
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RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $7,000. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL NISSAN MODELS, YEARS 2005-2010 AND CLASS ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDED NO HELP TO SOMEONE IN MY SITUATION WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED VERY LIMITED FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFIED. THIS IS A KNOWN, CATASTROPHIC ISSUE AND RECALLS OR REIMBURSEMENTS WERE THE PROPER, SAFE, ETHICAL SOLUTION. THIS WAS NOT DONE, AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A FIX THAT WILL COST 90% OF WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. THERE WAS NO SOLUTION GIVEN THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED IT, SO I REALLY HAD NO OPTION HERE BUT TO WAIT FOR THE FAILURE AND GET STUCK WITH THE $7000 BILL. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY KNOWN SAFETY HAZARDS WITH THIS FAILURE, BUT A FAILED RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587822
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.
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.
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
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.
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