IllustrationCRACKED ENGINE MOUNT ON FORD FREESTYLE. *TR
2005 Ford Freestyle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Freestyle 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
1140–25K
15325–50K
33950–75K
31275–100K
307100–150K
74150K+
1,299 reports with mileage · 160 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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
129 reportsSUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY. HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY, AFTER NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR A DAY. CAN BE REALLY BAD IF HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY - YOU STEP ON GAS AND THERE'S NO RESPONSE (THE ENGINE IS RUNNING) - THE CAR CAN ESSENTIALLY STOP BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DATE OF FIRST INCID…
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SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY. HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINY, AFTER NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR A DAY. CAN BE REALLY BAD IF HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY - YOU STEP ON GAS AND THERE'S NO RESPONSE (THE ENGINE IS RUNNING) - THE CAR CAN ESSENTIALLY STOP BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DATE OF FIRST INCIDENT REPORTED, MILEAGE AT THE TIME - 90,000. *TR
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE DID HAVE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 FREESTYLE AND IT WAS IN THE FORD REPAIR SHOP ON AND OFF FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT IN WE PAID TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BUT WHEN IT STARTED LINKING AGAIN WE REFUSED TO PAY EVEN THOUGH OUR WARRANTY…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE DID HAVE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 FREESTYLE AND IT WAS IN THE FORD REPAIR SHOP ON AND OFF FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT IN WE PAID TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BUT WHEN IT STARTED LINKING AGAIN WE REFUSED TO PAY EVEN THOUGH OUR WARRANTY WAS UP AT THE TIME AND FORD AGREED NOT TO CHARGE US. AFTER CALLING FORD HEADQUARTERS TO COMPLAIN, THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP INTERVENED AND THEY ALSO GAVE US A LOANER CAR. I FIRST NOTICED A LEAK IN THE BACK (BUT I THINK IT WAS LEAKING MUCH LONGER THAN I REALIZED) AND THEY FIXED THE LEAK IN THE BACK AND THEN IT LEAKED IN THE FRONT. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BUT I MUST TELL YOU THAT THEY DID FINALLY FIX IT. SORRY TO SAY, WE DID HAVE IT BACK LAST SPRING FOR ANOTHER LEAK IN THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALTHOUGH I HAD GONE ONLINE AND SAW THAT SEVERAL OWNERS OF FREESTYLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, FORD NEVER ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN BUT I THINK BY AGREEING TO FIX IT FOR FREE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A FLAW. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM COLONIAL FORD IN DANBURY, CT AND THE WORK WAS ALL DONE IN THEIR REPAIR CENTER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE GEAR OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY; HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS WERE ON BACK…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE GEAR OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY; HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD JERK AND ALMOST STALL, THEN WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WOULD STALL, WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND THE PUT INTO DRIVE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME , THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOX, I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND I NEVER HEARD OF THIS,…
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WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD JERK AND ALMOST STALL, THEN WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WOULD STALL, WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND THE PUT INTO DRIVE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME , THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOX, I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND I NEVER HEARD OF THIS, I HAD TAKEN THE CAR BACK, TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE IN STOCK, THEY SEARCHED ACROSS THE COUNTRY , NOT ONE TO BE FOUND , THEY CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY , THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE EITHER, THEY SAID THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO MAKE THE PART, , IT IS A DIE CAST PART, THEN IT HAS TO BE MACHINED THEN FITTED WITH THE SENSORS, , WIRE PORTS AND VACUUM SOCKETS HAVE TO BE MACHINED, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME SEPT 30, 09 TO LET ME KNOW THE STATUS, I HAVE A VERY BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE THE PART IS NOT GOING TO BE RIGHT, AS OF SEPT 30 09 THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR TWO MONTHS, I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES, THEN THE CAR IS GOOD FOR NOTHING BUT A PLANTER IN THE FRONT YARD, I HAVE TERMINAL BRAIN CANCER AND NEED MY CAR TO CARRY MY WHEEL CHAIR AROUND, THE DEALER FIRST GAVE ME A FOCUS, THEN A TAURUS, I STILL CANT LIFT MY WHEEL CHAIR TO LAY IT FLAT IN THE TRUNK, I HAVE ASKED FOR SOMETHING COMPARABLE TO MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, , WHICH I JUST LIFT MY CHAIR STRAIT UP AND PUT IT IN, BUT WHAT THIS WHOLE PROBLEM HAS CREATED, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, IF THIS PART LETS GO ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WILL JERK THE WHEELS WILL LOCK UP AND HOPEFULLY THE CAR BEHIND IS WATCHING , OTHERWISE , THIS IS GOING TO BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SE: THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM LED TO INTERMITTENT SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC, ENGINE SURGING AND CAR LURCHING AT IDLE. FREQUENCY OF INCIDENCE INCREASED DURING SNOWY WEATHER. TOOK MY LOCAL FORD DEALER NEARLY 8 MONTHS TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR PROBLEM. (DATE LISTED IS FIRST INCIDENT.) *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED IN SAFE MODE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I WAS IN A PARKING SPACE IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR WENT BACK VERY FAST BEFORE STALLING OUT. THE DASH BOARD READ "FAIL SAFE MODE". I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY - A PART ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOV 09 AND COSTS $700 PLU…
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I WAS IN A PARKING SPACE IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR WENT BACK VERY FAST BEFORE STALLING OUT. THE DASH BOARD READ "FAIL SAFE MODE". I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY - A PART ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOV 09 AND COSTS $700 PLUS $300 LABOR ~ AND THEY SENT ME HOME WITH MY CAR!! VERY UNSURE OF DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNTIL THEN WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN NEVERMIND THE DANGERS TO OTHER PEOPLE. FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BACK IN DEC 05 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON LINE SHOWS THAT THEIR ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL YET. CLEARLY THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE JUST BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN AT BOB BELL FORD FOR OVER A WEEK. I WAS AT THE BEACH AND THE CAR STALLED TWICE AND WENT IN TO A FAIL SAFE MODE. I TOOK IT TO BOB BELL FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. I WAS TOLD THAT I COU…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE JUST BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN AT BOB BELL FORD FOR OVER A WEEK. I WAS AT THE BEACH AND THE CAR STALLED TWICE AND WENT IN TO A FAIL SAFE MODE. I TOOK IT TO BOB BELL FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD COME PICK UP MY CAR AND IF IT BREAKS DOWN THEY WILL COME GET ME. NOT THINKING THAT I COULD BE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT IF IT STALLS WELL DRIVING. I HAVE CALLED HEADQUARTERS TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO FOR ME AS FAR AS A RENTAL AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME. THIS ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE PLANTS BEING SHUT DOWN AND PARTS NO BEING MADE. SOMEONE JUST BOUGHT A NEW GM CAMARO AND HAD TO SIGN A WAIVER STATING THAT IF THE CAR BREAKS DOWN THEY COULD HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR TO GET PARTS AND THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE PAYMENT. THE PART THAT I NEED IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. JUST LOOKING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE I CAN NOT GO WITHOUT A CAR UNTIL NOVEMBER. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I WORK 2 JOBS TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY. WITHOUT A CAR HOE AM I SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP ME. *TR
THE VEHICLE WILL JERK AND BUCK WHEN BACKING UP OR GOING FORWARD AND THEN GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND SHUT OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BUT YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IT ALSO ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHEN IN PARK FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND YOU CAN BARELY STOP IT. ALMOST HIT SOMEONE BECAUSE OF IT. NOTHING HAS …
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THE VEHICLE WILL JERK AND BUCK WHEN BACKING UP OR GOING FORWARD AND THEN GO INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND SHUT OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BUT YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. IT ALSO ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHEN IN PARK FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND YOU CAN BARELY STOP IT. ALMOST HIT SOMEONE BECAUSE OF IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AS OF YET SPOKE WITH FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL SO THEY'RE NOT FIXING IT. *TR
Official recalls
206V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Oct 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.
05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
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.