NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
14 reportsClear category filter160,000 miles · Jun 30, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. I AM STILL ABLE TO ACCELERATE, STEER AND STOP; HOWEVER, THE LIGHTS, HEATER AND RADIO SHUT OFF AND ALL OF MY GAUGES QUIT WORKING. MY DASHBOARD SAYS "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" BUT THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER (WAS…
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WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. I AM STILL ABLE TO ACCELERATE, STEER AND STOP; HOWEVER, THE LIGHTS, HEATER AND RADIO SHUT OFF AND ALL OF MY GAUGES QUIT WORKING. MY DASHBOARD SAYS "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" BUT THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER (WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AT TIMES), BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON DIFFERENT ROAD TYPES AND VARYING SPEEDS.
NHTSA ODI #11228563
40 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
LA GUAGUA SE APAGA EN PLENA RUTA LUEGO DE HABERLE SUPLIDO DE GASOLINA. NO APAGA LA LUZ INTERIOR DEL TECHO Y TECHO FRENTE AL CONDUCTOR. ESTE AUTO LO ADQUIR HACE UN AO MS O MENOS A TRAVS DE VENTA DIRECTA DEL DUEO. SOLICITO ME REGISTREN PARA TODA CORRESPONDENCIA.
NHTSA ODI #11193987
107,500 miles · Nov 25, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING 25 AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55, THE LIGHTS IN CLUSTER OF GUAGES WENT OUT. THE WRENCH ICON LIGHTS UP AND ALL POWER GOES OUT TO THE GUAGES. ALL NEEDLES DROP. CHECKED THE FUZES. NOTHING BLOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE A.C. ALSO STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR.
NHTSA ODI #11048378
181,000 miles · Oct 10, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING CAR AT NIGHT LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT BUT BACKUP LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK AND RADIO WENT OUT. CAR EVENTUALLY LOST ALL POWER.
NHTSA ODI #10915147
136,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REFUSED TO GO ABOVE 2K ROMA. TURNED CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. TURNED IT BACK IN AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. STILL GIVING THE…
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WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REFUSED TO GO ABOVE 2K ROMA. TURNED CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. TURNED IT BACK IN AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. STILL GIVING THE SAME CODES AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO CLEAR THE CODES. PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION IN THE PAST. NOW THE BATTERY WON'T HOLD A CHARGE, THE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WHEN THEY ARE ALL TURNED OFF AND IT SEEMS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM I'D GOING CRAZY. IT'S NOW FEBRUARY AND I'M BEING TOLD THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SINCE MY THROTTLE BODY HAD THE COLD WEATHER SYSTEM ON IT THAT MEANS ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL. I CAN'T BACK IT OUT OF ITS PARKING SPACE WITHOUT IT STALLING OUT AND ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE ABD HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I'VE SPENT TILL MUCH MONEY TO KEEP PUTTING MORE INTO IT WHEN REPLACING THE PARTS THAT HAVE THE CODE ISSUES ISN'T WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682392
113,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WE NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A DOOR SWITCH BUT AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FOUND THAT WHILE DRIVING I COULD WIGGLE THE KEY AND THE LIGHTS MIGHT TURN…
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WE NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A DOOR SWITCH BUT AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FOUND THAT WHILE DRIVING I COULD WIGGLE THE KEY AND THE LIGHTS MIGHT TURN ON OR OFF RANDOMLY. THERE WAS NO EFFECT TO THE ENGINE. DURING THE DAY I'D NOT NOTICED IT BUT AT NIGHT IT IS QUITE DISTRACTING. I'VE NOT YET REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT IT IS ON MY LIST. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR. IT MAY HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. AS PART OF MY FIXING THINGS, I'D ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS STUCK ON, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LIGHTS ON THE TAIL GATE FROM HEAT. I CAN SAVE THE SWITCHES IF IT IS OF INTEREST. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593227
112,980 miles · May 21, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON W/O TURNING THEM ON AND THE SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. ALSO, NO DOORS WERE AJAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. AT THE SAME TIME THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF THREE SEPARATE TIMES WITHIN ONE MINUTE. THIS OCCURRED ON 05/14/2014, 05/17/2014 AND 05/20/2014. ALL INCIDENTS WERE WHILE DRIVING AT N…
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THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON W/O TURNING THEM ON AND THE SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. ALSO, NO DOORS WERE AJAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. AT THE SAME TIME THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF THREE SEPARATE TIMES WITHIN ONE MINUTE. THIS OCCURRED ON 05/14/2014, 05/17/2014 AND 05/20/2014. ALL INCIDENTS WERE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH WITH NO ROUGH AREAS HIT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH ON A CITY ROAD WHICH WAS ALSO SMOOTH AND THE FINAL INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A SMOOTH ROADWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593167
120,000 miles · Dec 1, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
THE DASH TURNED OFF. ALL OF THE DASH COMPONENTS ARE NOT WORKING INCLUDING THE MILEAGE, SPEEDOMETER, GAS, OIL, TURN SIGNALS ETC. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IT FAILS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY AND AT NIGHT KEEPING ME GUESSING IF I AM DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OR NOT AND IF MY TURN SIGNALS ARE WORKING. THE AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT ALSO IS…
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THE DASH TURNED OFF. ALL OF THE DASH COMPONENTS ARE NOT WORKING INCLUDING THE MILEAGE, SPEEDOMETER, GAS, OIL, TURN SIGNALS ETC. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IT FAILS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY AND AT NIGHT KEEPING ME GUESSING IF I AM DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT OR NOT AND IF MY TURN SIGNALS ARE WORKING. THE AIRBAG SAFETY LIGHT ALSO IS NOT WORKING, FLASHING ON AND OFF KEEPING ME WONDERING IF I HAVE ANY SAFETY AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST HAPPENING WITH MY CAR BUT OTHERS IN MY YEAR AND MAKE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. AS OF NOW, THE BUG HAS NOT FIXED ITSELF. THE ELECTRONICS HAVE BEEN OFF FOR A FULL DAY AND I AM WORRIED THEY WON'T TURN BACK ON. PLEASE DO SOME FURTHER WORK ON THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554276
130,000 miles · Nov 11, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2005 SEL FREESTYLE WITH ABOUT 130K MILES ON IT. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITH SPEED OF 55MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ABS AND AWD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" AND "AWD MALFUNCTION", THEN ENTIRE PANEL WENT DARK (RPM, GAS, OIL, SPEED AND ODOMETER). I NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES…
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I HAVE A 2005 SEL FREESTYLE WITH ABOUT 130K MILES ON IT. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITH SPEED OF 55MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ABS AND AWD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" AND "AWD MALFUNCTION", THEN ENTIRE PANEL WENT DARK (RPM, GAS, OIL, SPEED AND ODOMETER). I NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES WERE MAKING A TICKING NOISE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. I PULLED OFF THE MAIN HWY AND SHUT CAR OFF, I THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. ALL OF THE GAUGES LIT UP AGAIN, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START, ACTED LIKE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR WAS SHOT. HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND WAS LATE TO WORK. NOT SURE WHERE TO START TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, HAVE SEEN TOO MANY POSTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. I THINK THAT FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE FATALITIES BEGIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551756
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED GOING OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE NIGHT AND IT CAUSED MY REVERSE LIGHTS TO FLASH ON AND OFF. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND IT IS A PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BACK OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS WHY? THIS P…
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MY INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED GOING OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE NIGHT AND IT CAUSED MY REVERSE LIGHTS TO FLASH ON AND OFF. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND IT IS A PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY SOLDER JOINTS ON THE BACK OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS WHY? THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO LED TO MY TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AGAIN, AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF IT. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM EITHER THERE ARE TONS OF OWNERS OF THIS CAR THAT HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE ISSUES THAT ARE A RESULT OF FAULTY MANUFACTURING. WE ARE A HARD WORKING FAMILY AND WE SPENT EVERYTHING WE HAD REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR CAR SIX MONTHS AGO, AND OUR WARRANTY WAS UP SEVEN DAYS BEFORE OUR TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND NOW THANKS TO THE FAULTY INSTRUMENT PANEL DOING WHATEVER IT WAS DOING TO THE COMPUTER WHEN IT WAS CUTTING IN AND OUT IT HAS TORE MY ALMOST $4000.00 TRANSMISSION UP AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR TO HAUL ALL OF MY CHILDREN AROUND IN. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD VIA EMAIL AND THE RESPONSE I GOT WAS SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS IN CASE OF A RECALL OR A FORGIVENESS PROGRAM IS STARTED UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483246
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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