NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports65,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Power Train
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS IT HAS SURGED UNEXPLAINABLY A DOZEN PLUS TIMES, TO A POINT WHERE MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH SOON AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED AND, WITH A FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR IS PUT INTO D OR R. THANKFULLY THE CAR BRAKE WAS APPLIED. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS IT HAS SURGED UNEXPLAINABLY A DOZEN PLUS TIMES, TO A POINT WHERE MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH SOON AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED AND, WITH A FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR IS PUT INTO D OR R. THANKFULLY THE CAR BRAKE WAS APPLIED. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME WHILE BRAKING AT SPEEDS OF 40+ MPH AND HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP TO A POINT I HAD TO PPUT THE CAR IN N TO SLOW IT. I HAVE 4 KIDS AND THESE UNEXPLAINED SURGES SURELY ARE OF GREAT CONCERN. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID OT WAS THE AFTERMARKET AIRFILTER AND THAT THEY COULDN'T REPLACATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352432
75,402 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY AND VICE VERSA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BEFORE STALLING. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY AND VICE VERSA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,402 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,800.
NHTSA ODI #10352273
58,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Electrical System
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. 3 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON READING "ENGINE SAFE FAILED" TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. 3RD TIME IT HAPPENED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITH THE EMISSIONS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED. WE ARE NO…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE. 3 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED, LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON READING "ENGINE SAFE FAILED" TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. 3RD TIME IT HAPPENED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON WITH THE EMISSIONS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO BE SERVICED. WE ARE NOW TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REBOOTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES AND WE PURCHASED ONLY 30 DAYS AGO USED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352209
66,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE HAD NOTICED THAT WHEN WE SHIFTED OUR VEHICLE INTO GEAR (FORWARD OR REVERSE) THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD/BACKWARD AS WE CAME OFF THE BRAKE. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE IN LINE AT MY DAUGHTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRIVEWAY WAITING TO PICK HER UP. AS SHE RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICL…
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE HAD NOTICED THAT WHEN WE SHIFTED OUR VEHICLE INTO GEAR (FORWARD OR REVERSE) THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD/BACKWARD AS WE CAME OFF THE BRAKE. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE IN LINE AT MY DAUGHTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRIVEWAY WAITING TO PICK HER UP. AS SHE RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY JUMPED FORWARD AND SHE NEEDED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT. THE ENGINE THEN WENT INTO "FAILSAFE MODE" AND RAN ON DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH 65,000 MILES. IT WAS THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY THAT HAD BEEN CAUSING THE CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY LURCH/SURGE FORWARD. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT APPEARS THAT IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT IS A FAMILY VEHICLE WHICH MEANS THAT THERE ARE MANY OF THEM SITTING IN SCHOOL PARKING LOTS AND PICK UP LANES. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE A VEHICLE THAT UNEXPECTEDLY SURGES FORWARD IN AN AREA FULL OF CHILDREN CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF CONCERN TO MY WIFE AND I. IN MY RESEARCH THERE APPEARS TO BE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED BY FORD REGARDING THIS MATTER AND ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR IT 60K SERVICE JUST MONTHS BEFORE, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. THE FORD DEALER WASTED NO TIME TELLING US THAT THE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR EXTENDED POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH I HAD ON THE VEHICLE. QUITE HONESTLY, THAT WAS NOT MY MAIN CONCERN AS A CHILD COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN HARMED BY THIS FAULTY THROTTLE BODY AND THE SYMPTOMS IT PRODUCES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND CLEANED THE INJECTORS AND THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING BETTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351975
70,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Power Train
FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD IN DRIVE W/O MY CONTROL. IN REVERSE, IT LUNGES BACKWARDS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BLOGS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM W/FORD. SOME PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY HIT BLDGS & PEOPLE! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT MADE A RECALL. THIS IS A COMPLETE SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, A…
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FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD IN DRIVE W/O MY CONTROL. IN REVERSE, IT LUNGES BACKWARDS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS BLOGS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM W/FORD. SOME PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY HIT BLDGS & PEOPLE! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT MADE A RECALL. THIS IS A COMPLETE SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, AFTER THE CAR LURCHES, IT DIES - WHICH CAN HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY AS WELL. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. THEY TOLD ME ITS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO GET A REPLACEMENT CAR WHILE I WAIT MONTHS FOR THE PART TO COME IN FROM THE NATIONAL BACKORDER. IF THIS WASN'T SUCH A PROBLEM THEN WHY ARE THE PARTS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351811
75,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING IDLE AT A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE JUNE 2010. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ABRUPTLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SITTING IDLE AT A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE JUNE 2010. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ABRUPTLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10351715
72,120 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
ISSUES OCCURS ABOUT 6 TIMES IN LAST TWO WEEKS. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. CAR HAVE TO PULL CAR OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURN OFF. RESTARTS ON SECOND TRY. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE SAID THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $855. CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 72K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351708
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR YOU HAVE IT IN. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351625
42,800 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AWD WITH A 3.0L V6. I HAVE HAD TO PARK MY VEHICLE AS IT HAS BECOME UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO USE. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL ABRUPTLY SURGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. NOW WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE DIES WHERE EVER IT OCCURS. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM HITTING OTHER CARS MULTIPLE TI…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AWD WITH A 3.0L V6. I HAVE HAD TO PARK MY VEHICLE AS IT HAS BECOME UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY TO USE. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WILL ABRUPTLY SURGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. NOW WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE DIES WHERE EVER IT OCCURS. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM HITTING OTHER CARS MULTIPLE TIMES AND YESTERDAY WAS THE FINAL STRAW. I ALMOST HIT A KID AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL. WAITING IN LINE TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL THE CAR SURGED SO BAD THAT THE BREAKS WOULD NOT STOP IT. I HAD TO THROW IT INTO PARK. I UNDERSTAND THE VOLVO CARS THAT SHARE THE SAME PART HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. TOYOTA HAD TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES IN WASHINGTON FOR AN ISSUE NOT UNLIKE MINE. THE FIRST DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT ON MY CAR WAS IN THE SECOND MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL THE ISSUE BECOMES BAD ENOUGH TO REPLICATE THERE WAS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT FROM THE ISSUE AT MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL AND THE DRIVETRAIN IS MAKING NOISES. GUESS WHAT AS SOON AS MY 3YEAR WARRANTY WAS UP THE ISSUE BECAME MORE REGULAR. NOW IT IS AT MY COST TO FIX AN ISSUE I REPORTED WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. THAT IS JUST WRONG! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351531
102,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
THROTTLE BODY FAILS AND CAR WILL JUMP OR IT WILL BOG DOWN. TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN BACKING UP. CAR WILL SURGE ON HWY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351479
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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