NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
136 reportsClear category filter157,139 miles · Sep 3, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
OUT SIDE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 96 DEGREES SO AC WAS ON . WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED SO HARD IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE,AND UNSTOPPABLE, IF SOME ONE HAD STEPPED OUT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE DIED AS I COULD ONLY STOP REWARD MOVEMENT BY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPAC…
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OUT SIDE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 96 DEGREES SO AC WAS ON . WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED SO HARD IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE,AND UNSTOPPABLE, IF SOME ONE HAD STEPPED OUT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE DIED AS I COULD ONLY STOP REWARD MOVEMENT BY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A CROWDED MALL.THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE LUNGING WAS SO FAST THE BRAKES COULD HARDLY HOLD THE CAR FROM MOVING IN REVERSE. IN CHECKING THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-05-25-13 FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON THIS VERY ISSUE BUT NO RECALL, ALSO MANY INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS RECORDED IN THIS REGARD. IF I WAS NOT PREPARED ENOUGH DURING THIS INCIDENT IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT SOME ONE WOULD HAVE DIED, THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED B-4 SOMEONE IS RUN OVER. CURRENTLY FORD HAS NO COMMENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473680
79,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
EnginePower Train
THE CAR SUDDEN SURGES FORWARD OR BACK WHEN MOVING OUT OF PARK. IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE IT WILL GO MOVE SIGNIFICANTLY. UPON RESEARCH ONLINE AND TALKING TO FORD DIRECTLY THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS NOT UNDER RE-CALL YET BUT SHOULD BE. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER CARRIES THE THROTTLE BOTTLE IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY SEL…
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THE CAR SUDDEN SURGES FORWARD OR BACK WHEN MOVING OUT OF PARK. IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE IT WILL GO MOVE SIGNIFICANTLY. UPON RESEARCH ONLINE AND TALKING TO FORD DIRECTLY THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS NOT UNDER RE-CALL YET BUT SHOULD BE. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER CARRIES THE THROTTLE BOTTLE IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY SELL SO MANY OF THEM. THEY AVERAGE 10 A YEAR. A SIMPLE RESEARCH OF THE PROBLEM SHOWS UP. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ALSO IF THERE IS QUICK STOP IT WILL GO TO A FAIL SAFE MODE AND BASICALLY SHUT OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY. THE CAR HAS TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE THROTTLE BOTTLE MUST BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE SAFE AS A PARTS COST OF ALMOST $600.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470501
93,000 miles · Aug 12, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND WENT TO GET BACK TO SPEED AFTER PASSING THROUGH A SPEED ZONE. I NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER AND LOOKED AT THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE "WRENCH" ICON WAS ON. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I THEN TURNED IT ON AND THE CAR ACTED NORMAL. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE …
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WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND WENT TO GET BACK TO SPEED AFTER PASSING THROUGH A SPEED ZONE. I NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER AND LOOKED AT THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE "WRENCH" ICON WAS ON. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I THEN TURNED IT ON AND THE CAR ACTED NORMAL. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE ISSUE DOES NOT THROW A CHECK ENGINE CODE OR LEAVES ANY TYPE OF ELECTRONIC HISTORY OF THE ISSUE. I CANNOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE SHE IS SEVEN MONTH PREGNANT AND CANNOT HAVE HER DRIVE IT IF THE CAR BREAKS DOWN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470327
99,940 miles · Aug 8, 2012
EnginePower Train
ON HOT SUMMER DAYS AND ONLY ON HOT SUMMER DAYS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT OR STOPPED PERIOD CAR BEGINS TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE HOLDING BRAKE. WENT ASKED FORD WHY IS THIS HAPPENING THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW. THAT I SHOULD GET THE THROTTLE BODY AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR SERVICED IF NOT DONE ALREADY. I GUESS IT HAD TO BE DONE AT 90K BUT I…
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ON HOT SUMMER DAYS AND ONLY ON HOT SUMMER DAYS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT OR STOPPED PERIOD CAR BEGINS TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE HOLDING BRAKE. WENT ASKED FORD WHY IS THIS HAPPENING THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW. THAT I SHOULD GET THE THROTTLE BODY AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR SERVICED IF NOT DONE ALREADY. I GUESS IT HAD TO BE DONE AT 90K BUT I DID NOT KNOW. WELL I DID WHAT THEY SAID, WENT HOME AND CAR IS NOW IDLING ROUGH WENT BACK AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER $90 DOLLARS ONTOP OF THE $105 THEY HAVE ALREADY CHARGED ME FOR THE THROTTLE AND MAFS. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS BUT FORD DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469902
78,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
EnginePower Train
SO HERE I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. THANKS FORD I LOVE WHEN MY CAR TAKES OFF ON ME WITHOUT NOTICE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR. HOW MANY OF THESE DO I HAVE TO READ BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN. DOES IT TAKE A DEATH OR SERIOUS ACCIDENT. COST ME 718 DOLLARS I EXPECT A RECALL SOON AND MY MONEY BACK I WILL …
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SO HERE I AM ANOTHER VICTIM OF A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. THANKS FORD I LOVE WHEN MY CAR TAKES OFF ON ME WITHOUT NOTICE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR. HOW MANY OF THESE DO I HAVE TO READ BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN. DOES IT TAKE A DEATH OR SERIOUS ACCIDENT. COST ME 718 DOLLARS I EXPECT A RECALL SOON AND MY MONEY BACK I WILL NOT QUIT UNTIL THIS IS TAKEN CARE OF. IT'S SAD WHEN YOU GO TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAY "WOW THERE IS STILL NOT A RECALL ON THIS". OH BY THE WAY IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM I DIAGNOSED MY OWN CAR ISSUE IN 5 MINUTES BY USING GOOGLE AND TYPING FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468045
67,407 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED AND LOST ENGINE POWER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED AND LOST ENGINE POWER. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,407.
NHTSA ODI #10462410
47,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD WHEN HITTING PASSING GEAR ON HIGHWAY LIKE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR GOING OUT. LOSE ALL POWER AND CAR WILL BUCK BACK AND FORTH. ALSO DOES IT WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS AND THEN TRIES TO UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING AND ENGINE WARM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462087
48,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Power Train
VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ASCENDING HILL. I HAD TO PULL OVER COMPLETELY AND STOP, SHIFT INTO LOW AND SLOWLY BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED ME AS I HAD LOST POWER WITH NO WARNING. CAR ONCE WARMED STARTS TO BUCK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT AN EVEN SPEED, BUCKS VIOLENTLY WHEN COMING TO …
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VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ASCENDING HILL. I HAD TO PULL OVER COMPLETELY AND STOP, SHIFT INTO LOW AND SLOWLY BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED ME AS I HAD LOST POWER WITH NO WARNING. CAR ONCE WARMED STARTS TO BUCK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT AN EVEN SPEED, BUCKS VIOLENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND RANDOMLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2009 AND HAVE POT LESS THEN 20000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER TELLS ME THE COMPUTER DOES NOT READ ANY PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459656
65,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Power Train
I HAVE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION DE-ENGAGING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION WARMS UP. WHEN I ACCELERATE WHEN PASSING OR USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE TRANSMISSION WILL DIS-ENGAGE LEAVING ME WITH NO FORWARD POWER, I MUST PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HOPE IT ENGAGES ALL THE WHILE ALMOST BEING RUN OVER BY TWO S…
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I HAVE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION DE-ENGAGING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OF THE TRANSMISSION WARMS UP. WHEN I ACCELERATE WHEN PASSING OR USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE TRANSMISSION WILL DIS-ENGAGE LEAVING ME WITH NO FORWARD POWER, I MUST PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HOPE IT ENGAGES ALL THE WHILE ALMOST BEING RUN OVER BY TWO SEMI-TRUCKS. THIS HAPPENED ALMOST A DOZEN TIMES DOWN AND BACK ON MY TRIP FROM BUFFALO TO PEAPACK NJ ON MONDAY 4/16/2012. THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT FORD IS AWARE ON THE FIVE HUNDRED MODEL, MONTEGO AND SOME FUSION MODELS. MANY START TO FAIL AT LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND HAPPENED AT 65,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. I CONSIDER THIS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND AMAZED NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED DUE TO THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THE FORD FORUM HAS OVER 10 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. FORD TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THERE WAS A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10456240
128,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Power Train
I HAD THE NEED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY SUDDENLY CHANGING LANES BUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL MY TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT TO HIGHER SPEED. INSTEAD TWO CLUNKING SOUNDS TOOK PLACE BEFORE FINALLY SWITCHING INTO HIGHER GEAR .I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , BUT NOW THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED US. THIS…
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I HAD THE NEED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BY SUDDENLY CHANGING LANES BUT WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL MY TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT TO HIGHER SPEED. INSTEAD TWO CLUNKING SOUNDS TOOK PLACE BEFORE FINALLY SWITCHING INTO HIGHER GEAR .I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME , BUT NOW THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED US. THIS WOULD HAVE CREATED A FATAL CHAIN REACTION WE COULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED IN. I FOUND OUT THIS CARS HAVE A GREAT AMOUNT OF FAILURES ON RECORD FORD 500 2005 PLEASE HELP *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455642
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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