OUR 2006 XTERRA FOR NO REASON HAS DASH BOARD LIGHTS THAT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. THE OD, THE VDC AND THE SLIP LIGHT AND THE DEALER STATES THE COMPUTER IS NOT HAVING A HARD FAULT. SO WITH 20,000 MILES WE HAVE THE UNKNOWN LIGHT ISSUE. *JB
2006 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
720 reports with mileage · 60 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 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 237 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reportsI HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN MAY OF 2006 AND NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES. WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS A FEW TIMES THE GAS GAUGE HAS BECOME ERRATIC. AFTER A FILL UP THE GAUGE WILL DROP TO AROUND 3/4 FULL AFTER ONLY 25+ MILES BEING DRIVEN AND OTHER TIMES READS CORRECTLY AS THE GAS IS USED. I HAV…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN MAY OF 2006 AND NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES. WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS A FEW TIMES THE GAS GAUGE HAS BECOME ERRATIC. AFTER A FILL UP THE GAUGE WILL DROP TO AROUND 3/4 FULL AFTER ONLY 25+ MILES BEING DRIVEN AND OTHER TIMES READS CORRECTLY AS THE GAS IS USED. I HAVE CHECKED GAS USED AGAINST ODOMETER MILEAGE AND IT SEEMS CORRECT -- SO NO LEAKS! DEALERS HAVE BEEN CALLED BUT NO IDEAS, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR THIS COMPLAINT YET. I PLAN ON CHECKING THE OBDII PORT FOR ERROR CODES PRIOR TO TAKING TO DEALER. *JB
2006 NISSAN XTERRA LUNGES FORWARD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTION AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE MOTOR SEEMS TO SPEED UP AND THE CAR MOVES FORWARD A FOOT OR MORE. *JB
FOR NO APPARENT REASON ALL CONSOLE/DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE OUT. VEHICLE IS 5 MONTHS OLD. DEALER HAS HAD TROUBLE LOCATING SOURCE OF PROBLEM. *JB
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD EDITION. IT IS A MANUAL AND I PAID FOR THE $700 FOR THE EXTRA AIRBAGS. THEY ARE SIDE IMPACT/ROLLOVER AIR CURTAIN AIRBAGS. NISSAN ADVERTISES THIS VEHICLE AS AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I GOT THIS VEHICLE, TO GO OFF ROADING IN. I HAVE 12,000 MILES ON MY XTERRA. ON…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD EDITION. IT IS A MANUAL AND I PAID FOR THE $700 FOR THE EXTRA AIRBAGS. THEY ARE SIDE IMPACT/ROLLOVER AIR CURTAIN AIRBAGS. NISSAN ADVERTISES THIS VEHICLE AS AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I GOT THIS VEHICLE, TO GO OFF ROADING IN. I HAVE 12,000 MILES ON MY XTERRA. ON SEPTEMBER 30TH I WAS HEADING UP TO THE MOUNTAINS TO GO 4 WHEELING. I WAS ON A DIRT ROAD THAT TOOK ME TO THE TRAIL HEAD OF THIS 4X4 TRAIL. ON THIS DIRT ROAD MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF. BOTH SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS WENT OFF, THANKFULLY NOT THE FRONT AIRBAGS. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR MY AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR IMPACT AND MY CAR WASN'T SIDEWAYS OR ROLLED OVER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER THAT MONDAY, OCT. 2ND, 2006. THE REASON I'M FILING A COMPLAINT IS IT TOOK NISSAN 30 DAYS TO EVEN SAY THEY WOULD FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TRIED AND STILL FAIL TO SEE HOW IT WOULD EVEN BE AN ISSUE THAT THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, NISSAN CLAIMS THE AIRBAGS WORKED PROPERLY AND THAT THEY ARE ONLY FIXING THEM OUT OF GOOD WILL. IF THESE AIRBAGS WORKED PROPERLY, THEN I FEEL NISSAN HAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL OR FIND A WAY TO DISCONNECT THIS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT THE SENSORS DETECTED A ROLLOVER. IF YOU LOOK AT MY CAR THERE IS NO DAMAGE, AND I KNOW MY CAR WASN'T SIDEWAYS OR ANYTHING THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO FLIPPING OVER, BUT I HAVE NO WAY TO PROVE IT. I WAS ON A DIRT ROAD THAT WAS ROUGH AND BUMPY, BUT THERE WAS NO OFF-CAMBER ANGLES THAT COULD HAVE MADE MY AIRBAGS GO OFF. KNOWING THAT THE AIRBAGS WORKED THE WAY THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, ACCORDING TO NISSAN, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY XTERRA IN FEAR THAT THEY WILL GO OFF AGAIN. I TRULY BELIEVE NISSAN HAS MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE AIRBAGS AND THIS IS WHY I'M FILING A COMPLAINT. MY GIRLFRIEND WAS WITH ME AND DIDN'T SUFFER ANY MAJOR INJURIES, BUT WAS BEATEN UP PRETTY BAD AND SORE FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. *JB
I PURCHASED MY CAR(XTERRA 2006 OFF ROAD VIN [XXX] ) FROM DARCARS OF INDIANOLA INC., ON NOVEMBER 9, 2005. ON THE SAME DAY (THE CAR HAD ONLY 10 MILES) I NOTICED THE STEERING HAD A PROBLEM. WHEN I DRIVEN OVER 60 MPH IS HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR(WIGGLES). I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE CAR STILL THE SAM…
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I PURCHASED MY CAR(XTERRA 2006 OFF ROAD VIN [XXX] ) FROM DARCARS OF INDIANOLA INC., ON NOVEMBER 9, 2005. ON THE SAME DAY (THE CAR HAD ONLY 10 MILES) I NOTICED THE STEERING HAD A PROBLEM. WHEN I DRIVEN OVER 60 MPH IS HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR(WIGGLES). I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE CAR STILL THE SAME THE CAR HAS OVER 13.000 MILES NOW. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I BOUGHT A 2006 XTERRA, WHEN I WAS STRAPPING A CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK I NOTICED THAT THE CENTER REAR SHOULDER HARNESS BUCKLE AND THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CROSS OVER ONE ANOTHER WHEN PROPERLY BUCKLED. I CALLED NISSAN USA AND THEY SEEMED TO HAVE NO CONCERNS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER 2006 XTERRA'S AN…
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I BOUGHT A 2006 XTERRA, WHEN I WAS STRAPPING A CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK I NOTICED THAT THE CENTER REAR SHOULDER HARNESS BUCKLE AND THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CROSS OVER ONE ANOTHER WHEN PROPERLY BUCKLED. I CALLED NISSAN USA AND THEY SEEMED TO HAVE NO CONCERNS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER 2006 XTERRA'S AND THEY ALL SEEM TO BE MANUFACTURED THE SAME WAY. THIS COULD ULTIMATELY CAUSE AN INJURY. AT THIS TIME NO ONE TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN INJURED BY THIS DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *NM
POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW AND MODERATE SPEEDS. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWN A SLOPED DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DESCENDING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, BUT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED BACK …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWN A SLOPED DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DESCENDING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, BUT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED BUT THERE WAS NO TENSION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.
I PURCHASED MY 2006 XTERRA ON FEB 18TH, 2006. WITHIN 2 WEEKS I NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING DURING RAIN SHOWERS WHEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT LEAKED ONCE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. I TO…
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I PURCHASED MY 2006 XTERRA ON FEB 18TH, 2006. WITHIN 2 WEEKS I NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING DURING RAIN SHOWERS WHEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT LEAKED ONCE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. I TOOK IT HOME AND IT LEAKED AGAIN SO I TOOK IT TO A NEW DEALER AND THEY CONCLUDED, WITH THE HELP OF NISSAN ENGINEERS, THAT A DESIGN FLAW IN THE XTERRA ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. THE WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE AIR VENTS UNDER THE COWLING AND DROPS ONTO THE BLOWER MOTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE WATER THEN EXITS THE BLOWER MOTOR THROUGH AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND ONTO THE FRONT PASSENGER CARPET. NISSAN HAS OFFERED NO REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. *NM
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
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.
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.
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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