NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
24 reportsClear category filter177,000 miles · Jul 20, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE EVER AGAIN!!!!!! I OWN A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2012 ON THE THROTTLE BODY, A FORD DEALER SUPPOSABLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, WELL NOW ITS NOT DRIVEABLE. WE HAVE SINCE TALKED TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS INCLUDING FORD MOTOR COMPANY , THEY ALL SAID IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILIT…
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I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE EVER AGAIN!!!!!! I OWN A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2012 ON THE THROTTLE BODY, A FORD DEALER SUPPOSABLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, WELL NOW ITS NOT DRIVEABLE. WE HAVE SINCE TALKED TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS INCLUDING FORD MOTOR COMPANY , THEY ALL SAID IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK IT SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE THE PART WAS RECALLED !!! THE CAR COULD STALL AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING PUTTING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AT RISK, I DON'T THINK MUCH OF THIS AUTOMOBILE COMPANY FOR NOT STANDING BEHIND THERE PRODUCT, I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND A FORD VEHICLE TO FRIENDS,FAMILY OR EVEN MY WORST ENEMY NEVER NEVER AGAIN!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10886221
110,000 miles · May 18, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes
I DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR I PUT 2000 DOLLARS OF WORK AND STILL DO NOT FEEL SAVE.
NHTSA ODI #10865576
145,000 miles · May 9, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
THIS CAR HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINT OF THE LURCHING DUE TO A SUDDEN MALFUNCTIONING THROTTLE BODY WHICH CAUSE IRREGULARITY IN THE SPEED AND MAY CAUSE CRASHES AND MIGHT END TO BODY INJURIES OR FATALITY.
NHTSA ODI #10864053
50,000 miles · May 26, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE CAR JUST STALLED OUT ON ME WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND TRY TO RESTART CAR, RESTARTED AND THEN AS SOON AS I PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT STALLED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES UNTIL I COULD MOVE TO THE NEXT LIGHT AND STOP AND GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. FINALLY GO…
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I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE CAR JUST STALLED OUT ON ME WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND TRY TO RESTART CAR, RESTARTED AND THEN AS SOON AS I PUT IT INTO DRIVE IT STALLED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES UNTIL I COULD MOVE TO THE NEXT LIGHT AND STOP AND GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. FINALLY GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOT HOME. THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME WHILE PICKING UP CHILDREN FROM DAYCARE. STALLED OUT WHILE AT LOW RPM AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. HAD FUEL FILTER REPLACED. HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AT THE STORE. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER SPENT OVER 6 HOURS TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND PCM REPROGRAMMED/UPDATED. WITHOUT MUCH CONFIDENCE, THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME AND SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DROVE IT FOR A DAY AND THEN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN TRAFFIC WHEN AT LOW RPM, WITH CHILDREN IN CAR AT INTERSECTION CAR STALLED OUT! FINALLY GOT IT STARTED BY HOLDING BRAKE AND PUSHING ON ACCELERATOR WHILE PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE SO THAT IT WOULD NOT STALL OUT. DROVE IT HOME AND HAVE NOT TAKEN IT OUT SINCE. EXPECT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT DON'T WANT TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON "DIAGNOSTICS" WHEN FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM PART AND THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND IT!!!!! THEY HAVE PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK MORE THAN ONCE AND THEY NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.
NHTSA ODI #10721364
163,000 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
I PURCHASED NEW IN 2005 A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE DRIVEN IT AND HAVE BEEN MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH IT. I HAVE HAD TO DO SOME WORK TO IT THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIPS ARE COMMON PROBLEMS SUCH AS SWAY BAR ENDS AND A CV JOINT.ESPECIALLY LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST. THE REASON I'M FILING THIS SAFETY COMP…
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I PURCHASED NEW IN 2005 A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE DRIVEN IT AND HAVE BEEN MORE THAN SATISFIED WITH IT. I HAVE HAD TO DO SOME WORK TO IT THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIPS ARE COMMON PROBLEMS SUCH AS SWAY BAR ENDS AND A CV JOINT.ESPECIALLY LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST. THE REASON I'M FILING THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT IS DUE TO THE THROTTLE BODY ON THIS MODEL VEHICLE. APPROX A MONTH OR TWO AGO AS WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR ENGINE WOULD REV UP SLIGHTLY AND MOMENTARILY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT STARTED THE VEHICLE (6 SPEED AUTOMATIC) WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. I WOULD ONLY SHIFT UP IF I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS PEDDLE, SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED IT WOULD GO INTO "FAIL SAFE" CHECK ENGINE MODE. I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND CODES THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM RUNNING "RICH" BUT COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT IT WAS EXACTLY. I THEN STARTED READING ABOUT MY VEHICLE AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM THAT FORD NEW ABOUT ON SEVERAL MODELS (INCLUDING MERCURY) FORD DID NOT DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT RATHER SENT A LETTER TO OWNERS ( I NEVER RECEIVED) SAYING THAT THEY WOULD CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND RESET THE CONTROL COMPUTER. THE LETTER CAME OUT IN 2012. THE LETTER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE COVERED FREE ON VEHICLES THAT HAD LESS THAN 150,000 AND UNDER TEN YEARS. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE MILEAGE. I HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP CLEAN THE PLATES OF THE THROTTLE BODY AS THE LETTER SAID AND PAID FOR IT BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST AND IN FACT IS WORSE. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY DO OTHER THAN GO TO ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. A CAR STALLING WHILE IN IN TRAFFIC IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653407
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR HAS ENGINE READ CODE P2107 AND P2110 ON THREE OCCASIONS NOW AND WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR IN THE MORNING ITS A LITTLE WRENCH UP AND MY CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE PAST 20 IT HAPPENED ONCE WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651295
157,000 miles · Nov 9, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND TRIED TO TAKE OFF IT STALLED OUT AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551609
187,910 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR SPUUTERED AND LOST ALL POWER. AT THAT POINT THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE WHICH BARELY ALLOWED ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW MILES THEN ,WHILE TURNING OFF A MAIN ROAD THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I TURNED…
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I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR SPUUTERED AND LOST ALL POWER. AT THAT POINT THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE WHICH BARELY ALLOWED ME TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR A FEW MILES THEN ,WHILE TURNING OFF A MAIN ROAD THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT FOR CODES AND IT BROUGHT UP A P212 AND P2104 CODE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TRACY FORD WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AT $690+/- PLUS LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547295
146,500 miles · Oct 30, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
IN AUGUST 2010, I HAD THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT ~98,000 MILES. LUCKILY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN OCTOBER 2012, THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AS THE SERVICE MEMBER SAID AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP "THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS AT ~146,000 MI…
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IN AUGUST 2010, I HAD THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT ~98,000 MILES. LUCKILY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN OCTOBER 2012, THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AS THE SERVICE MEMBER SAID AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP "THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS AT ~146,000 MILES, BUT THERE IS ONLY ~48,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. TWO TRANSMISSIONS HAVE FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE COME ACROSS SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE FORD FIVE HUNDREDS CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION FAILING. I CALLED THE FORD CARE LINE TO REPORT IT, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES. MY CONCERN IS THIS THIRD TRANSMISSION WILL ALSO FAIL AT SOME POINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482631
135,500 miles · Oct 14, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR SURGES. IT IS MOSTLY AT IDLE SPEED. IT'S DANGEROUS. I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND A JANITOR WAS SWEEPING. MY CAR SURGED AND I LITERALLY STOOD ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER HIM. AT THE DRIVE THROUGH IT SURGED FORWARD AND I HAD TO STAND ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT IT FROM RAMMING INTO THE CAR AHEAD. IT OCCURS MORE WH…
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MY CAR SURGES. IT IS MOSTLY AT IDLE SPEED. IT'S DANGEROUS. I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND A JANITOR WAS SWEEPING. MY CAR SURGED AND I LITERALLY STOOD ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER HIM. AT THE DRIVE THROUGH IT SURGED FORWARD AND I HAD TO STAND ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT IT FROM RAMMING INTO THE CAR AHEAD. IT OCCURS MORE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING BUT WILL OCCUR WITHOUT AC ON. I THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY RECENTLY BUT IT STILL SURGES. IT OCCURS WHEN PULLING TO A STOP AT THE LIGHTS OR AT THE DRIVE THROUGH AS YOU SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR WHEN BACKING UP. I'VE SEEN NEWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE. MY FORD 500 IS ALSO AFFECTED AND WEIGHS A WHOLE LOT MORE. IF THIS THING SURGES FORWARD IT COULD DO SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480054
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2PE11018 · Idle Instability
Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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