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
What owners actually said
510 reports
60,543 miles · Nov 4, 2009
Structure
RIGHT ROOF MOLDING WAS FOUND MISSING AFTER SOMETHING FELL OF CAR ON LOCAL TRIP. THERE IS NO WAY THIS ITEM SHOULD COME OFF UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER WANTS OVER $116.00 TO REPLACE. THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY/RECALL ITEM SINCE IT POSES A RISK TO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TRIM FAILED AFTER JUST 5 MONTHS AN…
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RIGHT ROOF MOLDING WAS FOUND MISSING AFTER SOMETHING FELL OF CAR ON LOCAL TRIP. THERE IS NO WAY THIS ITEM SHOULD COME OFF UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER WANTS OVER $116.00 TO REPLACE. THIS SHOULD BE A WARRANTY/RECALL ITEM SINCE IT POSES A RISK TO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TRIM FAILED AFTER JUST 5 MONTHS AND ALSO PARTIALLY BLEW OFF ON A TRIP. THERE IS A QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM HERE. THE LEFT SIDE ROOF MOLDING ALSO SEEMS LOOSE & I'M AFRAID I AM GOING TO LOSE IT. I WANT THE DEALER TO REPLACE IT FREE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290999
60,945 miles · Nov 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED THAT SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE WITH A SAFE ENGINE MODE. THE OBDII SHOWS A P2111 CODE THAT THE THROTTLE IS STUCK OPEN. IS THERE ANY RECALL TO THIS CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290880
24,812 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE THROTTLE BODY IN HIS ENGINE FAILED. WHEN MINIMAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT FAILED TO MOVE AND SUDDENLY IT RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. PART# 5F9Z9E926B HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE NOVEMBER 2009 WHICH HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE HIS VEHICLE FOR …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE THROTTLE BODY IN HIS ENGINE FAILED. WHEN MINIMAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IT FAILED TO MOVE AND SUDDENLY IT RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. PART# 5F9Z9E926B HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER SINCE NOVEMBER 2009 WHICH HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE HIS VEHICLE FOR OVER A MONTH. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,812.
NHTSA ODI #10289136
52,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Power Train
I OWN A 2005 FORD 500 (SE MODEL) CAR. IT JUST PASSED 52K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST BROKEN WHEN I DROVE AT NORMAL SPEED ON HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCK THAT I CAN STILL SURVIVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME TO REPLACE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. FROM THE SIMILAR REPORTS FROM A LOT OF CUSTOMERS, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD 500 (SE MODEL) CAR. IT JUST PASSED 52K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST BROKEN WHEN I DROVE AT NORMAL SPEED ON HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCK THAT I CAN STILL SURVIVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME TO REPLACE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. FROM THE SIMILAR REPORTS FROM A LOT OF CUSTOMERS, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FORD COMPANY ON THEIR COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287089
75,000 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS; HOWEVER, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND THAT THE PARTS ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE THE PART…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS; HOWEVER, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND THAT THE PARTS ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE THE PARTS FROM A LOCAL JUNK YARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT OVER 1,000 PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND THAT THEY ARE UNSURE OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10286000
25,281 miles · Sep 22, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN IDLING AS IF IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY BOX WAS FAILING AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN IDLING AS IF IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY BOX WAS FAILING AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT IS TRYING TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT HER CLAIM WOULD BE REVIEWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,281 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES, THE GAUGE ACT ERRATICALLY. UPDATED 11/18/09
NHTSA ODI #10284843
65,000 miles · Aug 25, 2009
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING FOR OVER 45 MINUTES OR A REALLY HOT DAY CAR WILL BUCK AND SHAKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN. AFTER THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR THEN KICK BACK IN 30 SECONDS LATER WHILE GOING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE.BROUGHT INTO DEALER SAID NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND COULD NOT REPEAT OCCURRENCE. SO UPGRADED C…
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WHILE DRIVING FOR OVER 45 MINUTES OR A REALLY HOT DAY CAR WILL BUCK AND SHAKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN. AFTER THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR THEN KICK BACK IN 30 SECONDS LATER WHILE GOING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE.BROUGHT INTO DEALER SAID NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND COULD NOT REPEAT OCCURRENCE. SO UPGRADED COMPUTER FOR $ 250.00 DID NOT FIX ANYTHING ,THEN HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT GOING ON THURSDAY WISH ME LUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281746
37,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009
Fuel System, Other
CAR STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP OR INCREASING SPEED TO MERGE ONTO FREE. RECEIVED ERROR MESSAGE, "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". FIRST TWO TIMES WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART BUT THIRD TIME WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS STUCK ON FREEWAY. PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN UNDER 30 DAYS. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND FOU…
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CAR STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP OR INCREASING SPEED TO MERGE ONTO FREE. RECEIVED ERROR MESSAGE, "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". FIRST TWO TIMES WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART BUT THIRD TIME WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS STUCK ON FREEWAY. PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN UNDER 30 DAYS. DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PART FROM ANY LOCAL DEALER. PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND NOT EXPECTED IN FOR ANOTHER 16 WEEKS AND WAS TOLD THAT PROBLEM COULD OCCUR AGAIN UNTIL PART WAS REPLACED. I WONDER WHY THERE IS NO RECALL IF THERE ARE ENOUGH CARS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM TO CAUSE A BACKLOG OF 16+ WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281502
75,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Power Train
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2008. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 68K MILES, AND NO WARRANTY. IN JANUARY, MY CAR STARTED DOWN-SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AROUND 1000 RPM. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY DOWN-SHIFT AFTER THE ENGINE REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. IT ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AS IF TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTER…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2008. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 68K MILES, AND NO WARRANTY. IN JANUARY, MY CAR STARTED DOWN-SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AROUND 1000 RPM. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY DOWN-SHIFT AFTER THE ENGINE REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. IT ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AS IF TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE. FORD HAS FLASHED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AND FLUID. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING MESSAGE BOARDS AND HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR FIVE HUNDREDS, TAURUSES, AND MONTEGOS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME, AND FORD HAS NOT MADE ANY RECALLS. I REFUSE TO SHELL OUT RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO "MAYBE" FIX THIS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. ALSO, I AM UNABLE TO TRADE MY CAR FOR SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE IT IS NOW COMPLETELY DEVALUED. PLEASE HELP THE HUNDREDS OF FORD CONSUMERS WHO SHARE IN THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281338
45,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Power Train
I'M DRIVING A 2005 FORD 500 THAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND I'M GETTING NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS CVT TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F632/MERGED-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS-PLEASE-POST-THEM-HERE-160576/ THE TRANSMISSION…
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I'M DRIVING A 2005 FORD 500 THAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND I'M GETTING NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS CVT TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F632/MERGED-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS-PLEASE-POST-THEM-HERE-160576/ THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS, SKIPS AND SHAKES WHEN DECELERATING/ACCELERATING AROUND 25MPH. IT DOES THE SAME THING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FAST TO PASS SOMEONE. OR DRIVING ON A INCLINE/DECLINE. FORD HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE AND THEY ARE NOT OWNING UP TO IT! *TR
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.
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
2
PE11018 · 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
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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