NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reports25,000 miles · Nov 11, 2008
Power Train
HI I'M FROM MEXICO AND I GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMERS ALSO GOT, IN FACT I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE JOB (IN THE CHAOTIC CITY OF MEXICO) WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN THE CAR GOT NO TRACTION, I CANT ACCELERATE NEITHER SUSTAIN VELOCITY, FORTUNATELY THE CAR THAT…
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HI I'M FROM MEXICO AND I GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMERS ALSO GOT, IN FACT I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE JOB (IN THE CHAOTIC CITY OF MEXICO) WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN THE CAR GOT NO TRACTION, I CANT ACCELERATE NEITHER SUSTAIN VELOCITY, FORTUNATELY THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME REALIZE OF MY PROBLEM AND AWARE THE TRAFFIC TO DE-ACCELERATE, AFTER THAT I STOP THE CAR AND SEE THAT IT WAS SPILLING OIL FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR STILL DOES NOT MOVE BY ITSELF SO I WAIT FOR THE WRECKING CRANE TO TAKE THE CAR WITH THE DEALER. WHAT IMPRESSED ME IS THAT THE CAR ONLY GOT 25,000 MILES AND IT WAS SPILLING OIL. THE TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE CHANGED, BUT MY WARRANTY RUN OUT ON JANUARY AND THE CHANGE OF WILL HAVE A COST OF 10,000 US DOLLARS. I'M WRITING TO YOU TO CHECK WITH FORD THIS PROBLEMS CAUSE THE LOSE THE LOSE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE AND THE JERK SPILLING OIL WILL PROBABLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248439
42,469 miles · Nov 7, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD 500 REAR BRAKE PROBLEM. AT 42,469 MILES A GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. BOTH REAR ROTORS AND PADS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT WORN. FORD DOES NOT PAY TO CORRECT THIS WHICH IS EVIDENTLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247973
52,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INVESTIGATION REOPENED FOR NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE07058 AND A RECALL BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCU…
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I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INVESTIGATION REOPENED FOR NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE07058 AND A RECALL BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCURRED THE RADIO VOLUME WOULD DECREASE AS IF I WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL (JUST THE INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER), AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THIS WOULD LAST FROM A FEW SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE AND GIVEN A VERBAL WARNING IN REGARDS TO MY REVERSE LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE POLICE ASSUMED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE(BLOWN BULB/BROKE LENSES) AS MY REVERSE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE FORD DEALER NOW, THE DEALER DID SUPPLY ME WITH ANOTHER CAR UNTIL MINE WAS REPAIRED AS THEY DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT I WILL BE LOOKING AT A $100-200 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE AS THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY COVERED ON THE WARRANTY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT/DEATH OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THIS KNOWN EXISTING PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244077
35,768 miles · Sep 29, 2008
Structure
WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN I GO TO THE CARWASH RIGHT REAR DOOR FILLS WITH WATER THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243956
74,500 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
STARTED DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AS I NORMALLY DO, EXCEPT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING, MY A/C TURNED OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED, ONLY THIS TI…
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STARTED DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AS I NORMALLY DO, EXCEPT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING, MY A/C TURNED OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED, ONLY THIS TIME JUST THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. MY CRUISE CONTROL STILL WORKED BUT MY TACH, SPEED, BATTERY AND POWER GAUGE ALL DROPPED TO ZERO, HOWEVER THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I SAW ONLINE THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE LIGHTS CUT OFF AT RANDOM. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED OR AN ACCIDENT YET AS A RESULT OF THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242029
56,000 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THERE WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THERE WAS SOME INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 10/20/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10241763
640,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Power Train
FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED (2005 @ 64,000 TEXAS HWY MILES) HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD AND CHANGING GEARS ERRATICALLY, WHILE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE MYSTIFIED SO THEY SENT IT TO THEIR TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED IN THE S…
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FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED (2005 @ 64,000 TEXAS HWY MILES) HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD AND CHANGING GEARS ERRATICALLY, WHILE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE MYSTIFIED SO THEY SENT IT TO THEIR TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED IN THE SHOP GETTING ITS TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. WE JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND OIL CHANGED BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND THEY GAVE THEM THE CODES TO 'FLASH' THE NEWEST CODES INTO THE TRANSMISSION & THROTTLE COMPUTERS. NO CHANGE. THEY TESTED NEW TRANSMISSION MODULES WITH NO CHANGE. SO NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO CHANGE OUT THE TRANSMISSION @ $4,300. THIS IS NOT GOOD! THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAYS THIS IS THE 4TH FIVE HUNDRED HE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH AND THAT THEY CANNOT GET PARTS TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION SO THEY HAVE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO REPLACE IT. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND THEY ALSO SAY THEY CANNOT GET PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. TOMORROW I AM GOING TO THE BIG GUYS AT FORD AND GET AN ANSWER FROM THEM ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237097
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2008
StructureUnknown Or Other
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH A PAINT DEFECT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PAINT BUT WAS STOPPED. HE ALSO DISCOVERED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR 2000 THRU 2005 MODELS DUE TO IRON CONTAMINATION. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE DISCOVERED A SMALL SECTION OF THE HOOD WITH CRACKED PAINT.
NHTSA ODI #10236052
50,076 miles · Jul 15, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
I HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STE…
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I HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THEY ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THEY WAS TO TURN THE WHEEL IT WOULD USUALLY DIE ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, POWERSTEERING PUMP, BELT AND THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR STILL DIES. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THEM IS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WHAT MADE ME TAKE THE CAR IN TO BEGIN WITH WAS THAT I WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER PLAYING TENNIS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS SOMEWHAT DEAD AND THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING RAPIDLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234387
40,100 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT. HE HEARD A LOUD, BANGING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REMAIN AT THE SPEED HE WAS TRAVELING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT. HE HEARD A LOUD, BANGING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REMAIN AT THE SPEED HE WAS TRAVELING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS DOWNSHIFTING FAILURE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10233404
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.