TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHILE IN REVERSE WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED U…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED WHILE IN REVERSE WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. AN INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410744
43,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR IS SURGING WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. WORSE WITH THE A/C ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410670
86,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410471
125,000 miles · Jul 4, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
OUR FREESTYLE HAS EXPERIENCED MILD BUT WORSENING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR TWO YEARS NOW, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS "MILD" AND DID NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN WE HAD A NEW PROBLEM: NO COLD AIR FROM THE AC AT IDLE. WE RESPONDED (6/11) TO A MAILED PROMOTION FROM HERTRI…
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OUR FREESTYLE HAS EXPERIENCED MILD BUT WORSENING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR TWO YEARS NOW, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS "MILD" AND DID NOT CAUSE THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN WE HAD A NEW PROBLEM: NO COLD AIR FROM THE AC AT IDLE. WE RESPONDED (6/11) TO A MAILED PROMOTION FROM HERTRICH FORD (EASTON MD) FOR AN AC "TUNE UP." THEY DID NOTHING BUT ADD DYE TO OUR REFRIGERANT AND "CLEAN" OUR AIR DUCTS WITH DISINFECTANT. SO WE TURNED TO THE OWNERS' FORUM, MYFORDFREESTYLE.COM, AND QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM: A SEIZED-UP PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE. APPARENTLY FORD DEALERS REFUSE TO PERFORM THIS SIMPLE REPAIR (PART COST $40) AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE AC COMPRESSOR ($800 + LABOR). SO WE ORDERED THE VALVE ONLINE AND HAD A COMPETENT LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE THE VALVE (1-HOUR LABOR PLUS COST OF REFRIGERANT). THE AC IS "GOOD AS NEW", BUT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IS NOW MUCH WORSE. THE INCIDENTS ALWAYS OCCUR AT VERY LOW TO NO SPEED AND WHEN MANEUVERING THE CAR (I.E. PARKING, K-TURNING, ETC.). IN ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS, BOTH THE AC AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ARE DEMANDING/DRAWING NEAR-MAXIMUM POWER FROM AN ESSENTIALLY IDLING ENGINE, NEARLY STALLING THE ENGINE; THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE/IDLE CONTROL THEN KICKS-IN AND HUGELY "OVER-REACTS" BY REVVING THE ENGINE TO 2,000+ RPM. EVEN WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AN AUTOMATIC IN DRIVE IS GOING TO SURGE QUITE FAR AT 2000+ RPM. PLEASE LOOK AT THE MYFORDFREESTYLE.COM WEBSITE: NOTE THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION COME DURING HOT WEATHER MONTHS AND A FEW ALSO NOTE THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE WITH THE AC ON. IT TOOK US LESS THAN 30 MINUTES ON THE WEBSITE TO DIAGNOSE BOTH THE AC PROBLEM AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM. IT IS INCONCEIVABLE THAT FORD HAS NOT BEEN AWARE OF BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS FOR YEARS. (SURELY FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS STAFF MONITOR OWNER FORUMS).
NHTSA ODI #10411208
111,000 miles · Jul 4, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
FOR MONTHS, CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON GEAR. ALTHOUGH A LITTLE FRIGHTENING, IT HAS BEEN EASILY STOPPED BY APPLYING THE BREAK FIRMLY. ON JUNE 27, 2011, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN PARK, NO ONE IN DRIVER SEAT. LAST SUMMER A/C COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, PROBLEMS SEEMED TO BEGIN AFTER THA…
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FOR MONTHS, CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON GEAR. ALTHOUGH A LITTLE FRIGHTENING, IT HAS BEEN EASILY STOPPED BY APPLYING THE BREAK FIRMLY. ON JUNE 27, 2011, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN PARK, NO ONE IN DRIVER SEAT. LAST SUMMER A/C COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, PROBLEMS SEEMED TO BEGIN AFTER THAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410396
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR OCCASIONALLY LUNGES UNEXPECTEDLY AT SLOW SPEEDS WITH THE A/C RUNNING SUCH AS WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THIS ALSO COULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN A DRIVE-THRU LANE WITH A/C ON. I CAN ALSO GET THIS TO HAPPEN AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN BY JUST TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH A/C ON. I BELI…
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THE CAR OCCASIONALLY LUNGES UNEXPECTEDLY AT SLOW SPEEDS WITH THE A/C RUNNING SUCH AS WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THIS ALSO COULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN A DRIVE-THRU LANE WITH A/C ON. I CAN ALSO GET THIS TO HAPPEN AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN BY JUST TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH A/C ON. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS WITH THE A/C SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING BECAUSE I DON'T RECALL HAVING ANY ISSUES WHEN THE A/C IS OFF. ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE CAR IS THAT IT CAN STALL AFTER IDLING IN PARK AND THEN GOES INTO FAILSAFE MODE. IN THIS MODE, THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY WITH A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 30 MPH. I DON'T RECALL ANY FAILSAFE OCCURRENCES DURING THE WINTER. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN IDLING IN PARK WITH THE A/C ON. TO RESOLVE THE FAILSAFE ISSUE THE MULTIPLE TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED, POWER OFF THEN ON THE CAR. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TWICE IN A ROW. I NO LONGER IDLE THE CAR WITH A/C RUNNING. MY WIFE WILL OCCASIONALLY DRIVE MY CAR; SHE KNOWS ABOUT ALL OF THE ISSUES AND HAS HAD THEM OCCUR. MY SON (18) IS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE MY CAR. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIDDLE ROW SEAT. THE SEAT WILL NOT GO DOWN UNLESS EXTREME FORCE IS USED. ONCE THE SEAT GOES DOWN IT WILL WORK NORMALLY THE NEXT FEW TIMES BEFORE NEEDING EXTREME FORCE AGAIN. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A FORD MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE ABOVE ISSUES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN NOVEMBER '04. THE CAR NOW HAS OVER 103,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES FOR MANY YEARS. MY INCIDENT DATE IS THE LAST TIME THE LUNGES OCCURRED AS I DON'T RECALL THE DATE OF THE FIRST ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410334
80,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGE WHILE IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. LUCKILY NOTHING HAS BEEN DAMAGED AND NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. ALSO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES TRYING TO GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. IT D…
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I HAVE HAD MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGE WHILE IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. LUCKILY NOTHING HAS BEEN DAMAGED AND NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. ALSO I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES TRYING TO GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF I HAVE JUST STARTED MY VEHICLE OR HAVE BEEN SITTING IN A DRIVE THROUGH. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410282
78,200 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. AN ENGINE SAFE MODE ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. AN ENGINE SAFE MODE ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,200.
NHTSA ODI #10410264
15,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UNTIL THE TACOMETER DISPLAYED A READING OF 5,000 ROTATIONS PER MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UNTIL THE TACOMETER DISPLAYED A READING OF 5,000 ROTATIONS PER MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF UPDATED 07/28/11
NHTSA ODI #10410189
79,545 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY WIFE AND I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, 2005 MODEL. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND LUNGES WHEN OUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND THEY SENT IT OUT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CLAIM THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND GAVE IT BACK TO US. THE CAR STILL JERKS AND LUNGES AND IS…
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MY WIFE AND I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, 2005 MODEL. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND LUNGES WHEN OUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT IT AND THEY SENT IT OUT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CLAIM THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND GAVE IT BACK TO US. THE CAR STILL JERKS AND LUNGES AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *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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