NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
447 reportsClear category filter69,500 miles · Jan 18, 2009
Power Train
WE GET A "AWD MALFUNCTION" SHOWING UP ON THE DASH. THEY WANT OVER $5,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND VALUE IS ONLY ABOUT $11,000. AS I READ ONLINE, THERE COULD BE MORE WRONG PAST THIS BECAUSE SOME HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND NEXT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO GET REPLACED ALSO. SO THE FIST "FIX" COST US $500+ AND THEN …
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WE GET A "AWD MALFUNCTION" SHOWING UP ON THE DASH. THEY WANT OVER $5,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND VALUE IS ONLY ABOUT $11,000. AS I READ ONLINE, THERE COULD BE MORE WRONG PAST THIS BECAUSE SOME HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND NEXT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO GET REPLACED ALSO. SO THE FIST "FIX" COST US $500+ AND THEN THEY SAID IT WOULD BE ANOTHER $5,000+. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255488
27,839 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 27K MILES. I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH. I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO MAINTAIN MY SPEED UP A SLIGHT GRADE. I HEARD A CLUNK FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA UNDER THE DASH AND THEN THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COAST TO A CHURCH PARKING LOT WHERE I PARKED. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING NORMALLY, BUT THE E…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 27K MILES. I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH. I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY TO MAINTAIN MY SPEED UP A SLIGHT GRADE. I HEARD A CLUNK FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA UNDER THE DASH AND THEN THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COAST TO A CHURCH PARKING LOT WHERE I PARKED. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING NORMALLY, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT REV HIGHER WHEN I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR WERE DISPLAYED. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT. IT IDLED NORMALLY BUT I STILL COULDN'T REV THE ENGINE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR WERE STILL DISPLAYED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, AND AXLE AT A COST OF $5885. THE CAR IS OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WAS LIABLE FOR THIS COST. NEITHER FORD NOR THE DEALER WOULD ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. TWICE I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER, WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THAT THE CAR WAS MAKING A WHINING SOUND AS I ACCELERATED AND THE NOISE GREW LOUDER AS THE SPEED INCREASED. HE COULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING, EITHER TIME. I HAVE THE WORK ORDERS TO PROVE IT. I ASSUMED IT WAS PROBABLY ROAD NOISE DUE TO TIRE WEAR. THE WHINING SOUND HAS DISAPPEARED SINCE THE NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251694
62,411 miles · Oct 24, 2008
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN 2 LANE ROAD AT APPROX. 40MPH WITH MY 7YR OLD DAUGHTER. THE VAN SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOISES ETC. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO PARKING LOT, THE VAN WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING P…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN 2 LANE ROAD AT APPROX. 40MPH WITH MY 7YR OLD DAUGHTER. THE VAN SUDDENLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOISES ETC. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO PARKING LOT, THE VAN WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. WAS TOWED TO MY HOME AND CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VAN AND PROBABLE NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. QUOTED AT APPROX $1,600.00-2,000.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246603
30,000 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Power Train
ON THE FORD FREESTYLE THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. WHEN TRYING TO PASS,GO UP HILL, OR JUST AS TEMPERATURE RISES IN TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO TRACTION CONTROL SETTING. YOU WILL LOOSE SPEED POWER AND RPM WILL GO UP AND RED LINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PASS ON TWO LANE …
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ON THE FORD FREESTYLE THERE IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. WHEN TRYING TO PASS,GO UP HILL, OR JUST AS TEMPERATURE RISES IN TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO TRACTION CONTROL SETTING. YOU WILL LOOSE SPEED POWER AND RPM WILL GO UP AND RED LINE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PASS ON TWO LANE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST RAN OVER ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURS. FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. I CHECKED ON EDMONDS DOT COM AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PEOPLE ARE TOLD THEY MUST BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION. FOR BETWEEN $5000-$7000 DOLLARS. I HAVE SPENT 2000 ALREADY AND STILL NOT FIXED PROBLEM. MINE FAILED AT 74,800 MILES , BUT I WAS OUT OF TOWN IN THE BOOM DOCKS AND BY THE TIME I GOT BACK I WAS OVER MILEAGE, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I HAVE OVER A 120,000 MILES NOW AND THEY CAN NOT FIX IT, I LIVE IN NEBRASKA WHERE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR UNDER 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I STARTED SEEING A WRENCH APPEAR ON THE CONSOLE BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY COMPUTER PROBLEM. SO THEY IGNORED IT A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM. THANKS SCOTT MANLEY THIS PROBLEM CAN AND WILL CAUSE A DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244219
47,000 miles · Sep 27, 2008
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 FREESTYLE I LOST ALL POWER WHILE GOING 70MPH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SEMI TRUCK. TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION AND RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. DID THE SAME THING A WEEK LATER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WAS TOLD IT MOST …
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WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 FREESTYLE I LOST ALL POWER WHILE GOING 70MPH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF THE ROAD AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT FROM BEHIND BY A SEMI TRUCK. TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION AND RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. DID THE SAME THING A WEEK LATER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WAS TOLD IT MOST LIKELY WAS A BAD "THROTTLE BODY", BUT THEY COULD DO NOTHING UNTIL IT DID IT FOR THEM. HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243625
57,500 miles · Sep 19, 2008
Power Train
THE CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE, THEN IT WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, IT ATTEMPTED TO THROTTLE BACKWARDS. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND THEN THE CAR STALLED. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FLUKE BUT THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE NOW. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED NOW AT LEAST 4 TIMES. BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DETERMININ…
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THE CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE, THEN IT WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, IT ATTEMPTED TO THROTTLE BACKWARDS. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND THEN THE CAR STALLED. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FLUKE BUT THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE NOW. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED NOW AT LEAST 4 TIMES. BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DETERMINING THE PROBLEM. WHEN I RESTART THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT THAT WAS ON WHEN THE CAR STALLED HAS NOW BEEN CLEARED. I AM ATTEMPTING TO CAPTURE THE CODE SO THAT I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION TO THE DEALERSHIP, SO THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIXED. UNTIL THEN THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DO MUCH. ACCORDING TO OTHER EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY ASSY. HTTP://WWW.MYFORDFREESTYLE.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=1&T=2354 HTTP://WWW.MYFORDFREESTYLE.COM/FORUMS/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?F=1&T=2197. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242904
69,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING CAR GIVES A SERIES OF KICKS, LOSS OF POWER AND CAR ENTERS LIMP MODE, MESSAGE STATES FAILSAFE MODE. ONCE YOU ARE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND SAFELY PULL OVER NORMAL RESET BY TURNING CAR OFF AND TURNING BACK ON AND CAR IS ONCE AGAIN MOBILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVE MODE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241357
59,990 miles · Sep 4, 2008
Power Train
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR, THE RPNS WOULD GO UP. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE …
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR, THE RPNS WOULD GO UP. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY CHANGED THE CVT FLUID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59990. JP
NHTSA ODI #10240869
46,000 miles · Aug 24, 2008
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. FINALLY, AFTER "FLOORING IT", THE CAR MOVED SLOWLY. I DROVE HOME. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED, THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. FINALLY, AFTER "FLOORING IT", THE CAR MOVED SLOWLY. I DROVE HOME. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED, THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS FINE. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK LATER, IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239540
43,158 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE "THROTTLE BODY" WENT, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO MY VEHICLE. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS FIXED IN 2 DAYS, WITH A NEW "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY" BEING INSTALLED. ACCORDING T…
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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE "THROTTLE BODY" WENT, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO MY VEHICLE. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS FIXED IN 2 DAYS, WITH A NEW "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY" BEING INSTALLED. ACCORDING TO BOTH THE FORD WEBSITE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO AS THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239267
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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