NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports38,496 miles · Jul 6, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REPLACED. THEN WAS TOLD A WEEK LATER THAT THE PART …
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SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REPLACED. THEN WAS TOLD A WEEK LATER THAT THE PART WAS BACKORDERED AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR OVER 90 DAYS. DEALER THEN TOLD ME IT WAS OK TO DRIVE. NO WAY I'M PUTTING MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR WHICH COULD GAS FORWARD ON IT'S OWN AS IT IS A DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM. MANY PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEMS. FORD EVEN HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM--TSB 05-25-13. SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO VOLVO'S WHICH USE SAME PARTS...GO TO VEXEDVOLVO.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION. HOPEFULLY MORE REPORTS OF THIS WILL CAUSE FORD TO RECALL THE PART! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275875
92,000 miles · Jul 4, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR SURGES FORWARD IN REVERSE AND FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES IN PARKING LOTS AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. YOU MUST BE READY TO APPLY BRAKES VERY QUICKLY AT ALL TIMES WHEN TRAVELING A LOW SPEEDS. TOOK TO FORD DEALER THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY , THEY HAVE INFORMED ME IT IS ON BACKORDER AND DO…
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CAR SURGES FORWARD IN REVERSE AND FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES IN PARKING LOTS AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. YOU MUST BE READY TO APPLY BRAKES VERY QUICKLY AT ALL TIMES WHEN TRAVELING A LOW SPEEDS. TOOK TO FORD DEALER THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT IS A BAD THROTTLE BODY , THEY HAVE INFORMED ME IT IS ON BACKORDER AND DO NOT KNOW AT THIS TIME WHEN IT WILL BE IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275749
44,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE, TWICE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, INDICATING IMMEDIATE NEED FOR DIAGNOSTICS-TAKEN TO DEALER-FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY-NONE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOV. OF THIS YEAR, TOLD TO JUST TAKE VEHICLE HOME AND TRY TO DRIVE IT-EVEN THOUGH UNSAFE DUE TO UNPREDICTABLE…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE, TWICE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, INDICATING IMMEDIATE NEED FOR DIAGNOSTICS-TAKEN TO DEALER-FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY-NONE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOV. OF THIS YEAR, TOLD TO JUST TAKE VEHICLE HOME AND TRY TO DRIVE IT-EVEN THOUGH UNSAFE DUE TO UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF FAILURE OF ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275646
52,000 miles · Jul 2, 2009
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting
THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS REGULARLY AND ALL GAUGES (SPEED, GAS, TEMP, ETC.) FALL TO ZERO. THE DASHBOARD AND OTHER INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AT FIRST, IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD WORK MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALL. NOW, IT HAPPENS REGULARLY AND I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT KNOW…
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THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILS REGULARLY AND ALL GAUGES (SPEED, GAS, TEMP, ETC.) FALL TO ZERO. THE DASHBOARD AND OTHER INTERIOR LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AT FIRST, IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD WORK MOST OF THE TIME, BUT NOT ALL. NOW, IT HAPPENS REGULARLY AND I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT KNOWING MY SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL. SOMETIMES THE COMPUTER RESETS. AT TIMES, THE GAUGES RESUME WORKING WITHIN A MINUTE, OTHER TIMES, THEY DO NOT WORK FOR THE ENTIRE DRIVE, LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY OF KNOWING MY SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL AND NOW WAY OF SEEING INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT IS DARK. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A TSB ON THE ISSUE AT FORD, BUT IT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND REALLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF KNOWING THE SPEED AND FUEL LEVELS. I BROUGHT IT IN YESTERDAY AND IT WILL COST $750.00 TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275598
40,000 miles · Jun 12, 2009
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES WILL RANDOMLY ALL BOTTOM OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE NEARLY EVERYTIME WE DRIVE. OCCASIONALLY THE GAUGES WILL 'FREEZE' WHERE THEY ARE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (INCLUDING ODOMETER) WILL GO OUT. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECOND…
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WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES WILL RANDOMLY ALL BOTTOM OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE NEARLY EVERYTIME WE DRIVE. OCCASIONALLY THE GAUGES WILL 'FREEZE' WHERE THEY ARE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (INCLUDING ODOMETER) WILL GO OUT. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND WHEN THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, ALL OF THE GAUGES BOTTOM OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK ON. WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION, BUT NO RECALL TO DATE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DESPITE WHAT FORD SAYS, NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING (EVEN IF IT IS JUST FOR A FEW SECONDS) IS DANGEROUS, BUT THE WORST PART IS THE DISTRACTION WHEN YOU SEE YOUR GAUGES GOING CRAZY OUT OF THE CORNER OF YOUR EYE. DISTRACTED DRIVERS ARE NOT SAFE DRIVERS. THE DEALER TELLS US THEY'VE CHANGED DOZENS OF THESE, AND THE COST IS NEARLY $900! FOR AND THE NHTSA KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273656
57,000 miles · Jun 2, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD FREESTYLE ON THIRD REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER AFTER ONLY 57,000 PREVIOUS CALIPERS FROZE NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $350.00 PER OCCURRENCE. FORD AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AS NOT IN WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272719
80,000 miles · May 25, 2009
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF AND ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE PROBLEM IS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON THE "CRYSTAL" LOCATED NEXT TO THE FOUR SIDED PROCESSOR CHIP ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND S…
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WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF AND ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN. THIS OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE PROBLEM IS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON THE "CRYSTAL" LOCATED NEXT TO THE FOUR SIDED PROCESSOR CHIP ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SENT OUT A TSB TO ALL OF IT DEALERS IN FEB 2006. THERE IS CURRENTLY A 6 MONTH BACKLOG OF THE PART TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM DUE TO SO MANY OCCURRENCES. THE PROBLEM ALSO LOCKS OUT THE SHIFT LOCKING MECHANISM PREVENTING THE VEHICLE ONCE PLACED IN PARK TO GOING INTO GEAR OR NEUTRAL FOR TOWING. THE PROBLEM STARTS OUT WITH JUST THE DASH INSTRUMENTS FLICKERING BUT PROGRESSES TO THE PROBLEM I HAVE OUTLINED ABOVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269853
89,548 miles · May 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
NHTSA ODI #10268856
66,000 miles · May 14, 2009
Power Train
CTV TRANSMISSION IN '05 FORD FREESTYLE MODELS HAVE BEEN TROUBLE SINCE THE DAY THEY WERE PUT ON THE MARKET. WHAT THE DEALERS DIDN'T DIVULGE IS THAT YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO REPLACE PARTS OF THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION, RATHER YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THING. THE SITUATIONS THAT ARISE, OUTSIDE OF BEING STRANDED, IS THAT THE ENGIN…
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CTV TRANSMISSION IN '05 FORD FREESTYLE MODELS HAVE BEEN TROUBLE SINCE THE DAY THEY WERE PUT ON THE MARKET. WHAT THE DEALERS DIDN'T DIVULGE IS THAT YOU ARE NOT LIKELY TO REPLACE PARTS OF THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION, RATHER YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THING. THE SITUATIONS THAT ARISE, OUTSIDE OF BEING STRANDED, IS THAT THE ENGINE IS NOT RELIABLE. IT CAN MAKE THE CAR JERK, HESITATE, JUMP FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND SOME CASES, THE TRANSMISSION PRETTY MUCH DISINTEGRATED ON THE GROUND. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ABUSE THAT FORD HAS BESTOWED ON IT'S CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10268695
59,834 miles · May 11, 2009
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER PURCHASING A SET OF GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE 215/65R17, THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE TIRES ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER THAT SUPPLIED THE FAULTY TIRES WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY AND HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER PURCHASING A SET OF GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE 215/65R17, THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE TIRES ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER THAT SUPPLIED THE FAULTY TIRES WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY AND HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,094 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,834.
NHTSA ODI #10268387
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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