I PURCHASED AT 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN 2006. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 88,800 MILES ON IT AS OF 07/18/11. OVER THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE HAS BEGAN ACCELERATING WHEN I SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. MY FOOT IS ALWAYS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN TURNING THE A/C ON LOW AND WATCHING THE RPM'S BEFORE I SH…
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I PURCHASED AT 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN 2006. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 88,800 MILES ON IT AS OF 07/18/11. OVER THE PAST YEAR MY VEHICLE HAS BEGAN ACCELERATING WHEN I SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. MY FOOT IS ALWAYS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN TURNING THE A/C ON LOW AND WATCHING THE RPM'S BEFORE I SHIFT INTO GEAR. MY CAR WILL STILL JUMP ON ME AND THE MOTOR WILL ACCELERATE EVEN AT 500 RPM"S. I WILL NOT GO THROUGH A DRIVE THRU BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE MY CAR WILL CAUSE THE MOST PROBLEMS AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN MY VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CALLED 2 FORD DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY CAN DIAGNOSE ANYTHING. THEY STATE IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF ISSUES. I AM RELUCTANT TO TAKE IT IN CAUSE I KNOW THAT I WILL BE SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY AND THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE RESOLVED. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO THE ISSUES THAT SOME OF THE FORD TAURUS'S HAD IN THE PAST. THIS CAR IS JUST A REVAMPED FORD TAURUS....DIFFERENT LOOK SAME PROBLEMS! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413279
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2011
Power Train
CAR UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGES WHEN SITTING AT IDLE POSITION ON HOT DAYS WITH A/C WORKING HARD. DOES SO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. MOST CONCERNED WHILE SITTING IN CAR POOL LINE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON HOT DAYS. KIDS WALK IN FRONT OF CAR FREQUENTLY AND THIS LUNGING CAN BE RATHER DRAMATIC AT TIMES. OCCURS QUITE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT'S HOT AND…
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CAR UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGES WHEN SITTING AT IDLE POSITION ON HOT DAYS WITH A/C WORKING HARD. DOES SO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. MOST CONCERNED WHILE SITTING IN CAR POOL LINE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON HOT DAYS. KIDS WALK IN FRONT OF CAR FREQUENTLY AND THIS LUNGING CAN BE RATHER DRAMATIC AT TIMES. OCCURS QUITE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT'S HOT AND A/C IS RUNNING. THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX AND FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR A FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10413203
77,334 miles · Jul 16, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE IN LINE AT THE DRIVE THROUGH AND WAS LURCHING FORWARD. THEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD THEY INFORMED I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10413175
105,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LURCHING AT LOW SPEEDS & AT IDLE. IT IS OCCURRING WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND DRIVE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE HARD TO PREVENT THE LURCH FROM HITTING ANYTHING. IT IS ALSO LURCHING WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHTS AS WELL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO A…
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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LURCHING AT LOW SPEEDS & AT IDLE. IT IS OCCURRING WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND DRIVE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE HARD TO PREVENT THE LURCH FROM HITTING ANYTHING. IT IS ALSO LURCHING WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHTS AS WELL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT APPEARS THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO FREESTYLE OWNERS. MOST FORUMS INDICATE THAT IT IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE & THAT IT CAN EITHER BE CLEANED OR REPAIRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE REGARDING THIS ISSUE & I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY. IF THE CAR WERE TO LURCH INTO AN INTERSECTION AT A RED LIGHT OR POSSIBLE REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE POSSIBILITY OF HITTING A PEDESTRIAN IN A PARKING LOT AND CRASHING INTO OUR GARAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10412159
110,350 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Power Train
THE VEHICLE WILL SLIGHTLY ACCELARATE (OR LUNGE) WHEN IDLING AND FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AND/OR AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10412081
73,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Power Train
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO TOW THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $6,000.00 ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN IT LUNGES WHILE BACKING UP AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. IT IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN IT DOES THIS. THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO TELL ME IT IS THE AIR FI…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO TOW THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $6,000.00 ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN IT LUNGES WHILE BACKING UP AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. IT IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN IT DOES THIS. THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO TELL ME IT IS THE AIR FILTER!!!!! HOW CAN THE AIR FILTER CAUSE THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE SAFE MODE TO COME ON!!! THEY KNOW THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT SO THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWICE ON A 2005 VEHICLE. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE IT CAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL LEAVE ME STRANDED OR JUST LUNGED INTO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410892
88,500 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Power Train
SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN VEHICLE: AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WITH NO CONTACT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE TURN WAS A 180 DEGREE TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE. (90 INTO DRIVEWAY THEN CONTINUOUS 90 DEGREE TURN INTO SPACE.)…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN VEHICLE: AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN I HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WITH NO CONTACT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE TURN WAS A 180 DEGREE TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE. (90 INTO DRIVEWAY THEN CONTINUOUS 90 DEGREE TURN INTO SPACE.) HAD TO INCREASE ANGLE OF TURN TO AVOID HITTING PARKED CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE RADIO WAS OFF, AIR CONDITIONING ON (APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE, SUNNY HIGH HUMIDITY.) THREE ADULT PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE AT TIME. SPEED APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AN HOUR. FIRST TIME I NOTICED THIS IN THE VEHICLE. THREE HOURS LATER AS I WAS DECELERATING WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT I ALSO HAD A SUDDEN SURGE LASTED MAYBE TWO SECONDS. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AT THE TIME. WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE SLOWING DESPITE SURGE IN ENGINE AND ATTEMPTS BY CAR TO INCREASE SPEED. CAR DID NOT STALL THIS TIME. SPEED ABOUT 25 MPH. HAVE DRIVEN ABOUT 300 MILES SINCE AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WITH CVT TRANSMISSION. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10410594
11,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE OR REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT THE ENGINE WILL "REV" AND THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR BUT MY FOOT WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES BUT THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, J…
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WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE OR REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT THE ENGINE WILL "REV" AND THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR BUT MY FOOT WAS APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES BUT THE LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY, JULY 4, 2011. UP UNTIL RECENTLY I COULD NOT REPRODUCE IT ON A REGULAR BASIS SO I DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER READING AN ARTICLE ON REUTERS WEBSITE THAT THIS IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA I DECIDED TO REPORT IT HERE. AS THE ARTICLE STATES, IT APPEARS MORE OFTEN WHEN I HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN FLAT ROCK MICHIGAN AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS PROBABLY NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO CORRECT IT. TO DATE, THIS HAS CAUSED NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS BUT IT IS ONLY BECAUSE I TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS (E.G. TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONING OR BE PREPARED TO APPLY EXTRA PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE WHEN PARKING) TO ENSURE THE CAR DOES NOT LUNGE FORWARD AND HIT ANYTHING. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10410548
82,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. WE NEED TO FIRMLY PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS! AT THIS POINT, THE ENGINE STALLS. IT SEEMS CLEAR THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO PERMANENTLY FIX…
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OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. WE NEED TO FIRMLY PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS! AT THIS POINT, THE ENGINE STALLS. IT SEEMS CLEAR THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE ISSUE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410088
64,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURREN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 09/01/11
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.
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
2
PE11018 · 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
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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