NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter125,283 miles · Dec 2, 2012
Power TrainSteeringStructureCrash
CAR WAS PARKED IN REAR OF APARTMENT COMPLEX.WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT LUNGED BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, SMASHING THE REAR OF THE CAR INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. I DID HAVE A SEAT BELT ON BUT THE IMPACT CAUSED SEVERE NECK TRAUMA AS MY HEAD WAS TURNED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. APPROXIMATELY AN H…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN REAR OF APARTMENT COMPLEX.WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT LUNGED BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, SMASHING THE REAR OF THE CAR INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. I DID HAVE A SEAT BELT ON BUT THE IMPACT CAUSED SEVERE NECK TRAUMA AS MY HEAD WAS TURNED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, IT WOULD "LOSE POWER", THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE CAR WOULD HAVE NO TRANSMISSION POWER. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND CHARGED ME A REPAIR FOR CLEANING THE SENSOR - AND REFUSED TO REFUND ME MY DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH TO LEARN IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY WOULD APPLY THE CREDIT TOWARDS REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY....BUT NOT ALL THE CHARGES. THEY WERE HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER COMPLETELY FAILING TO FIX MY CAR AND CHARGING ME ALMOST $500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486727
45,000 miles · Nov 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. BOTH FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, NEITHER OFFE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. BOTH FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, NEITHER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,329.
NHTSA ODI #10486188
80,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE LURCHES/LUNGE JUST BEFORE STOP. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, IT WOULD LURCH/LUNGE JUST AS IT IS STOPPING. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR; HAD VEHICLE SERVICED/REPAIRED BUT STILL CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486125
98,000 miles · Nov 20, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ENGAGE IN FAIL SAFE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ENGAGE IN FAIL SAFE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10485309
75,000 miles · Nov 14, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 70 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THEN TURNED IT SELF BACK ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 70 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THEN TURNED IT SELF BACK ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10484589
71,700 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION-I STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT A HIGH RPM AND DID NOT DROP TO IDLE RPM. I WAS ABLE TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE UNTIL LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM HA…
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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION-I STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT A HIGH RPM AND DID NOT DROP TO IDLE RPM. I WAS ABLE TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE UNTIL LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED BUT IS VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN IT OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482374
115,000 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
ON OCCASION WE FELT A LITTLE SURGE WHEN BACKING UP. NOTICED PRIMARILY WHEN BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVER. FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT THE TIME. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. SURGE WAS BRIEF BUT BRAKING WOULD STILL STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO OBSERVED A SURGE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. THE SURGE WAS …
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ON OCCASION WE FELT A LITTLE SURGE WHEN BACKING UP. NOTICED PRIMARILY WHEN BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVER. FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT THE TIME. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. SURGE WAS BRIEF BUT BRAKING WOULD STILL STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO OBSERVED A SURGE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. THE SURGE WAS BRIEF, MAYBE LASTING 1-2 SECS. IN ADDITION WE'VE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ACCELERATION, SLUGGISHNESS. THE THROTTLE CONTROL HAS BEEN REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480940
86,000 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WAS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I PUT ON BRAKES, IT ACCELERATED MORE. TO AVOID HITTING 3 CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I WENT OVER A CURB, UP A HILL AND OVER AND EMBANKMENT. THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIDE STREET. THE IMPACT OF COMING OFF THE EMBANKMENT BLEW 2 TIRES AND TOTALED OU…
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WAS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN I PUT ON BRAKES, IT ACCELERATED MORE. TO AVOID HITTING 3 CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I WENT OVER A CURB, UP A HILL AND OVER AND EMBANKMENT. THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIDE STREET. THE IMPACT OF COMING OFF THE EMBANKMENT BLEW 2 TIRES AND TOTALED OUT THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TOTALED THE CAR. AS FAR AS THE SPEED OF THE CAR, I WAS DOING 35 UNTIL THE ACCELERATION FAILED AND WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES, IT WENT FASTER. I READ ON YOUR WEBSITE WHERE FORD WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH LUNGING AND THIS SOUNDS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY CAR. ESPECIALLY WHEN I READ FROM OTHERS THAT HAVE POSTED THERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I DO BELIEVE THAT FORD NEEDS TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BAD. I DID GO TO THE ER TO GET CHECKED OUT BUT BESIDES SEAT BELT BURN, I WAS FINE.
NHTSA ODI #10480561
86,936 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED IN A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED IN A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED ONE OF THE TIMES THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IT CRASHED INTO A RAIL AND STEPS LEADING TO A SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DECIDED TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE INFORMATION WOULD BE REVIEWED BY THERE GENERAL COUNSEL DIVISION BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,936...UPDATED11/21/12 *BF UPDATED 12/3/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10479356
69,500 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AND AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AND AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,500.
NHTSA ODI #10478629
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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