NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter86,500 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AFTER SHIFTING THE SELECTED GEAR WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AFTER SHIFTING THE SELECTED GEAR WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,500.
NHTSA ODI #10416745
83,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION SURGING WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. HAD BEEN MINOR UP TO THIS POINT BUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT LAST NIGHT, ENGINE REVVED HIGHER THAN BEFORE AND STALLED . CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND 'SYSTEM FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLE…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION SURGING WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. HAD BEEN MINOR UP TO THIS POINT BUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT LAST NIGHT, ENGINE REVVED HIGHER THAN BEFORE AND STALLED . CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND 'SYSTEM FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM THAT IS PREVALENT WITH THIS VEHICLE. OF COURSE, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED 2 WEEKS AGO. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416679
60,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING/LURCHING WHEN I AM GOING SLOWLY, I.E. WHEN I AM PULLING INTO OR OUT OF MY GARAGE, WHEN I AM PARKING, WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS AN "AWD MALFUNCTION" INDICATOR THAT COMES ON …
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING/LURCHING WHEN I AM GOING SLOWLY, I.E. WHEN I AM PULLING INTO OR OUT OF MY GARAGE, WHEN I AM PARKING, WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS AN "AWD MALFUNCTION" INDICATOR THAT COMES ON PERIODICALLY WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE SERVICE TECHS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE LURCHING/SURGING, BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE "AWD MALFUNCTION", WHICH IN TURN THEY THOUGHT MIGHT BE A RESULT OF A BAD OIL PRESSURE PUMP (HOWEVER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MULTI-THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR FOR THEM TO EVEN INVESTIGATE FURTHER, SO I DIDN'T HAVE THEM DO ANYTHING). THE SURGING/LURCHING IS GETTING WORSE, AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN, MYSELF, AND THOSE WHO MIGHT HAPPEN TO BE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY CAR SURGES. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416678
116,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. IN THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AND TAKING OFF WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE GAS. LAST FRIDAY, IT SURGED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND RAN UP ON THE CURB NEARLY HITTING PEOPLE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO A FAULT MODE. IT DID THIS THREE TIME…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. IN THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AND TAKING OFF WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE GAS. LAST FRIDAY, IT SURGED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND RAN UP ON THE CURB NEARLY HITTING PEOPLE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO A FAULT MODE. IT DID THIS THREE TIMES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR EACH TIME. IT ALSO ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO SURGED FORWARD INTO THE GATE OF MY GATED COMMUNITY. IT IS NOW SURGING AT A THIRD OF MY STOPS. I DON'T TRY AND BACK IT UP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO ALLOW ANYONE IN MY FAMILY TO DRIVE IT. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE RE-CALLED AND FIXED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416636
60,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WE STARTED NOTICING THE ENGINE SURGE A FEW MONTHS AGO WHENEVER WE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK OR NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S JUMPED AROUND 400-600 ABOVE IDLE AND NOW ARE OVER 700-800 WITH THE A/C ON. SO FAR, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, BLACKWELL FORD IN PLYMOUTH, MI AND WAS TOLD …
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WE STARTED NOTICING THE ENGINE SURGE A FEW MONTHS AGO WHENEVER WE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK OR NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S JUMPED AROUND 400-600 ABOVE IDLE AND NOW ARE OVER 700-800 WITH THE A/C ON. SO FAR, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, BLACKWELL FORD IN PLYMOUTH, MI AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS 94000 MILES ON IT AND ASIDE FROM THAT PROBLEM, WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH IT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416606
78,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MANY OCCURRENCES OF UNEXPECTED SURGE/VEHICLE MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS. RECENTLY, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY JUMPED FORWARD RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO PEDESTRIANS WERE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME THAT IT LUNGED FORWARD. …
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MANY OCCURRENCES OF UNEXPECTED SURGE/VEHICLE MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS. RECENTLY, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY JUMPED FORWARD RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO PEDESTRIANS WERE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME THAT IT LUNGED FORWARD. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416602
20,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORST THE LAST FEW MONTHS. IT JUMPS MUCH MORE OR FARTHER THAN IT DID BEFORE. UPDATED 10/07/2011 *LN *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416546
47,526 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN IDLING, CAR WOULD SURGE BRIEFLY AS IF ACCELERATOR WERE PUSHED. AFTER SEVERAL INQUIRES AT FORD SERVICE ABOUT RECALLS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. PART REPLACED AT A COST OF $706.85. UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL LIKE INSTANCES REPORTED. SURGE COULD EASILY CAUSE A COLLISION E…
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WHEN IDLING, CAR WOULD SURGE BRIEFLY AS IF ACCELERATOR WERE PUSHED. AFTER SEVERAL INQUIRES AT FORD SERVICE ABOUT RECALLS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. PART REPLACED AT A COST OF $706.85. UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL LIKE INSTANCES REPORTED. SURGE COULD EASILY CAUSE A COLLISION EITHER FRONT OR BACK. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416521
130,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON WAS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION, IT ACCELERATED, EITHER FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE REMEDY DID NOT RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON WAS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION, IT ACCELERATED, EITHER FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE REMEDY DID NOT RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT RESOLVED. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000. UPDATED 10/26/2011 *LN *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416518
68,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
BOUGHT A FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY 2008 TOOK IT TO THE SHOP JULY 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS LUNGING AND STALLING. FORD KEPT IT ON THEIR LOT UNTIL NOVEMBER. WHEN I GOT IT BACK I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY HAD FLAT SPOTS THEY DID NOT MOVE THE CAR. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOW JULY OF 2011 IT IS DOING THE SAME PROBLEM. …
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BOUGHT A FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY 2008 TOOK IT TO THE SHOP JULY 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS LUNGING AND STALLING. FORD KEPT IT ON THEIR LOT UNTIL NOVEMBER. WHEN I GOT IT BACK I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY HAD FLAT SPOTS THEY DID NOT MOVE THE CAR. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOW JULY OF 2011 IT IS DOING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAR ENGINE GETS TO HOT AND THE ALTERNATOR CAN'T WORK CORRECTLY. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED JULY 27TH 2011 AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416457
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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