IllustrationI WAS DRIVING MY FORD 500 ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I LOST POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. I COULD REV THE ENGINE, BUT NO POWER WOULD GO TO THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS LUCKY ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR NOW HAS A LITTLE LURCH WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT. *TR
2005 Ford Five Hundred
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Five Hundred years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
7625–50K
8750–75K
8875–100K
79100–150K
49150K+
443 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports6 fire reports10 injury reports
Power Train complaints
136 reportsMY 2005 FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE . AT TIME IT WOULD CHANGE FROM 800 RPM TO 1500 TO 2500 RPM . VERY SCARY IN TIGHT QUARTERS AND IN A PARKING LOT . OTHER TIMES IT THOUGHT IT WAS A TOYOTA AND JUST TAKE OFF.FAULT CODES DID APPEAR AND THE DEALERS FIRST TRY DI…
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MY 2005 FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE . AT TIME IT WOULD CHANGE FROM 800 RPM TO 1500 TO 2500 RPM . VERY SCARY IN TIGHT QUARTERS AND IN A PARKING LOT . OTHER TIMES IT THOUGHT IT WAS A TOYOTA AND JUST TAKE OFF.FAULT CODES DID APPEAR AND THE DEALERS FIRST TRY DID NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM . THE LAST TIME WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. IT TERRIFIED MY WIFE. WE DROPPED IT OFF AGAIN AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR PART WOULD TAKE 14 DAYS . DOES FORD HAVE THAT MANY PROBLEMS ? I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND MANY FORD PRODUCTS ARE HAVING THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS . THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL. *TR
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL IS BAD. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACK. IT ALSO GOES INTO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. IT ALSO CAUSED ME A LITTLE ACCIDENT, I WENT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR LUNGED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, BROKE THE FRAME OF GARAGE AND CAR HAS SCRATCHES AND MARKS AT THE REAR. VERY SCARED TO DRIVE, WIFE WONT DRIVE. PART IS ON …
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ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL IS BAD. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACK. IT ALSO GOES INTO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. IT ALSO CAUSED ME A LITTLE ACCIDENT, I WENT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR LUNGED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, BROKE THE FRAME OF GARAGE AND CAR HAS SCRATCHES AND MARKS AT THE REAR. VERY SCARED TO DRIVE, WIFE WONT DRIVE. PART IS ON BACK-ORDER, AND ITS MY ONLY CAR. HAVE WIFE AND TWO KIDS AND I DO NOT WANT THEM TO DRIVE IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW LIGHTLY IT IS GETTING TAKEN CARE OF. FORD NEEDS TO FORCE A RECALL FAST. *TR
2005 FORD 500. CAR BEGAN BUCKING/SURGING/ACCELERATING ON OWN WHEN STARTING TO PULL OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM SHOPPING CENTER TO MAIN ROAD. STRONG BRAKING REQUIRED TO CONTROL CAR. CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, PULLED BACK INTO SHOPPING CENTER LOT. WOULD HAPPEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH CAR TAKING OFF ON OWN IF NO BRAKE APPLIED. CAR STALL…
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2005 FORD 500. CAR BEGAN BUCKING/SURGING/ACCELERATING ON OWN WHEN STARTING TO PULL OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM SHOPPING CENTER TO MAIN ROAD. STRONG BRAKING REQUIRED TO CONTROL CAR. CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, PULLED BACK INTO SHOPPING CENTER LOT. WOULD HAPPEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH CAR TAKING OFF ON OWN IF NO BRAKE APPLIED. CAR STALLED TIMES TWO. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN VERY NEAR VICINITY. CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR SERVICE REP WHILE AT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP FOUND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY TO BE AT FAULT. A KNOWN PROBLEM TO EXIST, SO STATED. TSB EXISTS FOR THIS. MUST REPLACE THROTTLE BODY WITH UPDATED MODEL. UNIT ON BACKORDER. CAR UNDRIVABLE TILL PART ARRIVES. GREATER THAN 1 MONTH BACKORDER ON PART! VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION OCCURRED. COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 51000 MILES HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THEN LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD LIKE IT WILL TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. THE ENGINE SURGE CAN BE FELT EVEN STANDING STILL AT TIMES. TOLD IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND HAVE BEEN WAITING F…
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2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 51000 MILES HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THEN LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD LIKE IT WILL TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. THE ENGINE SURGE CAN BE FELT EVEN STANDING STILL AT TIMES. TOLD IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR PART AS IT IS ON BACKORDER. THIS IS AN 800.00 REPAIR AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A MONTH. SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED WHEN THESE VEHICLES LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. I SEE MANY MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND THIS PARTICULAR PART. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR WORSE. *TR
I AM BUYING A 2005 FORD 500 LIMITED WITH AN 6 SPD TRANSMISSION IT NOW HAS 136K MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM CROSSROADS FORD IN MEMPHIS. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 54K MILES. NOW THE TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE IS STARTING TO SLIP AND STALL IN TRAFFIC. YOU START TO MOVE FROM…
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I AM BUYING A 2005 FORD 500 LIMITED WITH AN 6 SPD TRANSMISSION IT NOW HAS 136K MILES ON IT. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM CROSSROADS FORD IN MEMPHIS. I HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED AT 54K MILES. NOW THE TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE IS STARTING TO SLIP AND STALL IN TRAFFIC. YOU START TO MOVE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND IT WILL GO SLOWLY THEN JUMP TO ABOUT 4K TO 6K ON THE TACHOMETER AND AT THAT POINT THE CAR STALLS AND YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE REAR ENDED BY OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO THE CAR STALLING. ACCORDING TO FORD THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY OFFER SELLING YOU A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SINCE THEY BUILT THE PRODUCT EVEN IF THE FACTORY WARRANTY IS GONE. CANT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR OR TRADE THIS ONE IN OR GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED ACCORDING TO FORD THE REPLACEMENT IS AROUND $4600. DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY LYING AROUND. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON APRIL 15, 2009, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON APRIL 15, 2009, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.
FOR APPROXIMATELY THE PAST YEAR OUR 2005 FORD 500 HAS BEEN LURCHING WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WITH THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL ON THE DASH LIGHTING UP. I HAVE HAD THE CODES RUN AND NOTHING COMES UP. I HAVE BEEN DOING INTERNET RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE IN ONLINE FORUMS WITH MANY HA…
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FOR APPROXIMATELY THE PAST YEAR OUR 2005 FORD 500 HAS BEEN LURCHING WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WITH THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL ON THE DASH LIGHTING UP. I HAVE HAD THE CODES RUN AND NOTHING COMES UP. I HAVE BEEN DOING INTERNET RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE IN ONLINE FORUMS WITH MANY HAVING TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED AND ACCELERATOR REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS NOT SHOWN UP ON FOR A RECALL BUT I DO BELIEVE IT SHOULD AS MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH OUR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. *TR
IN 2009 I TOOK MY FORD 500 TO SUTTON FORD IN THE AUTO MALL IN MATTESON, IL BECAUSE I WAS HAVING AN ACCELERATION ISSUE. THE AC LIGHT AND BOARD LIGHT WAS ON. THEY CALL ME AND I PAID THE BILL FOR ALMOST $800.00, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME THE CAR BACK. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THEM THE NEXT DAY BEC…
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IN 2009 I TOOK MY FORD 500 TO SUTTON FORD IN THE AUTO MALL IN MATTESON, IL BECAUSE I WAS HAVING AN ACCELERATION ISSUE. THE AC LIGHT AND BOARD LIGHT WAS ON. THEY CALL ME AND I PAID THE BILL FOR ALMOST $800.00, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME THE CAR BACK. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THEM THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THE AC LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THEY REPLACED A FEW PARTS AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME AFTER A FEW DAY. WELL THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THEY INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCELERATION ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND WOULD NOT WORK ON IT ANY MORE. WELL WE HAVE DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE FOR ALMOST A YEAR LATER WHEN ON LAST NIGHT, MAY 25, 2010, MY HUSBAND AND I ALONG WITH MY GRANDSON WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVE THROUGH AT MCDONALDS WHEN WE PROCEEDED TO HAVE AN EXTREME SUDDEN ACCELERATION. IT REALLY SCARED ME AND MY HUSBAND. TO OUR SURPRISE THE PROBLEM EXIST. IT WANTED TO JET OFF AT THE STOP SIGN AND WHILE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND WHILE BACKING UP. I'M RETURNING THE CAR ON TOMORROW TO SUTTON FORD WHO WAS TO DO THE FIRST REPAIR. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND I NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT BEFORE A SERIOUS INCIDENT OCCUR. *TR
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ERRATIC TRANSMISSION BEHAVIOR. UNSAFE SHIFTING CAUSES CAR TO LUNGE SIDEWAYS AND VIBRATE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE DOWNSHIFT DELAY LUNGES THE CAR FORWARD MAKING QUICK STOPS UNSAFE AND NEARLY CREATES A WRECK EVERYDAY. *TR
Official recalls
206V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Oct 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.
05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
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.