NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports120,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS AND THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I PULLED OUT ONTO A STREET AND WENT INTO SAFE MODE. AND WOULD ONLY GO 40MPH. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN I GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE MY CAR WILL LUNGEBACKWARDS. THIS VEHICLE IS BE…
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WHEN I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS AND THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I PULLED OUT ONTO A STREET AND WENT INTO SAFE MODE. AND WOULD ONLY GO 40MPH. IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN I GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE MY CAR WILL LUNGEBACKWARDS. THIS VEHICLE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE COST OF A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION WILL RUN ME ALOT OF $$$$$. I AM AWARE THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING AGAINST FORD FOR THIS MATTER. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THIS YEAR IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. WITH FOUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525685
65,200 miles · Jul 16, 2013
EnginePower Train
WHEN I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS AND THEN SHUT OFF AND ON MY DASH BOARD IT READ "FAILED SAFE MODE". THEN 2 WEEKS LATER THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I PULLED OUT ONTO A STREET. I WAS AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN STATING "FAIL SAFETY MODE" AFTER 2 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART M…
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WHEN I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS AND THEN SHUT OFF AND ON MY DASH BOARD IT READ "FAILED SAFE MODE". THEN 2 WEEKS LATER THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I PULLED OUT ONTO A STREET. I WAS AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN STATING "FAIL SAFETY MODE" AFTER 2 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART MY CAR THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AGAIN. WHEN I GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE MY CAR TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT AND WILL ALWAYS LUNGE FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS WHILE GOING AROUND 2MPH-5MPH. THIS VEHICLE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE COST OF A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION WILL RUN ME $5500. I CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY MADE IT CLEAR TO ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, ALTHOUGH THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING AGAINST FORD FOR THIS MATTER. I ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO I PURCHASED FROM LESS THAN A YEAR AND HALF AGO AND THEY ARE WILLING TO GIVE ME $3000 FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED FOR $12,000 AND STILL OWE $9,000 FOR. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS WORTH ROUGHLY $5,000 NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525243
47,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
EnginePower Train
SUDDEN, SPORADIC LUNGING/SURGING OCCURS WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS, I.E. PARKING. SEEMS TO THEM, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS WHEN RUNNING A/C. LAST YEAR I GOT THE "SAFE MODE" AND WRENCH DISPLAY, BIT OF COURSE WHEN I TOOK IT TO FORD THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO BRING IT IN WHEN THE MESSAGE WAS STILL SHOWING. IT OCCURRED AGAIN THIS YEAR, BUT I DI…
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SUDDEN, SPORADIC LUNGING/SURGING OCCURS WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS, I.E. PARKING. SEEMS TO THEM, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS WHEN RUNNING A/C. LAST YEAR I GOT THE "SAFE MODE" AND WRENCH DISPLAY, BIT OF COURSE WHEN I TOOK IT TO FORD THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO BRING IT IN WHEN THE MESSAGE WAS STILL SHOWING. IT OCCURRED AGAIN THIS YEAR, BUT I DIDN'T BOTHER GOING TO FORD. BUT TODAY, AS I WAS TRYING TO PARK, THE CAR DID IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME I ALMOST RAMMED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525052
94,000 miles · Jul 15, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE POWER TRAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE POWER TRAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10525004
85,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT EXCESSIVE WATER SEEPED THROUGH THE DOOR PANEL. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER WOULD ACCUMULATE ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT EXCESSIVE WATER SEEPED THROUGH THE DOOR PANEL. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES); HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10524330
150,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE AND BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE AND BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523658
65,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
IT IS ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: PE11018. I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THIS INVESTIGATION SUMMARY. THEN I RESEARCHED ON WEB, AND FOUND ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION. I WAS SHOCKED BY THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED 2 YEARS AGO, AND THEY CONCLUDED "NO RECALL" , "NO SAFETY ISSUE"... IT IS SAFET…
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IT IS ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: PE11018. I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THIS INVESTIGATION SUMMARY. THEN I RESEARCHED ON WEB, AND FOUND ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION. I WAS SHOCKED BY THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED 2 YEARS AGO, AND THEY CONCLUDED "NO RECALL" , "NO SAFETY ISSUE"... IT IS SAFETY ISSUE!! I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE BAD DREAMS THESE DAYS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM... IN MY DREAM, I TOTALLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THE CAR KEPT GOING & GOING..... PLEASE HAVE FORD FIX THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523315
130,450 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED FOR MAINTENANCE (POWER STEERING SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE) TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN THOMASVILLE, GA. AFTER A FEW DAYS MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE STARTED TO DISPLAY TRANSMISSION DATA ERROR, CHECK TRACK CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT IN AND I…
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I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED FOR MAINTENANCE (POWER STEERING SERVICE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE) TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN THOMASVILLE, GA. AFTER A FEW DAYS MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE STARTED TO DISPLAY TRANSMISSION DATA ERROR, CHECK TRACK CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. I CALLED THE COMPANY AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT IN AND I DID. THE ALERTS WERE NOT ON AT THE TIME BUT THE SERVICE MAN JERRY AND JOSH TOLD ME THEY WOULD CHECK MY VEHICLE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT - IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THEY KEPT IT ALL DAY AND WHEN I RETURNED TO PICK IT UP I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS FINE AND THEY RE-SERVICED MY TRANSMISSION. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER MY CAR STARTED THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN WHILE IN TRAFFIC IT SEEMED NOT TO WANT TO PULL OFF NORMALLY WITH ALL THESE ALERTS LIGHTING UP AFTER CHURCH ONE SUNDAY. I CALLED FORD OF COURSE THEY WERE CLOSED BUT THE NEXT DAY WAS MONDAY I CALLED AND WAS ASKED TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN. THIS TIME ONCE IT STARTED TO DO THE SAME THINGS JUMPING IN GEAR AND KNOCKING HARD THIS TIME THE SERVICE MAN WHO ANSWERED MY CALL SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED ME THAT FORD WOULD PAY FOR HALF THE WORK AND PARTS. I ASKED IF THEY DIDN'T CAUSE IT WHY WOULD YOU OFFER TO PAY HALF. THE LAST TIME THEY GOT MY FORD FREESTYLE THEY GAVE ME A BORROWED VEHICLE AND TOLD MY HUSBAND 4 DAYS LATER THAT THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT THEY WILL PAY NONE OF THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD TWICE MY CAR WAS FINE NOW MY HUSBAND JUST GOT A NEW JOB AND NO WAY TO GET TO IT BECAUSE I BELIEVE FORD DAMAGED MY VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO RIGHT THEIR WRONG. WHAT CAN I DO NOW?
NHTSA ODI #10522994
110,894 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AS THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AS THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,894.
NHTSA ODI #10522607
84,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR HAS A HISTORY OF LUNGING WHEN IDLING. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521046
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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