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2005 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,299 reports with mileage · 160 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

587 reports
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110,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE IT SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. SHE NOTICED THE FAILURE DURING PERIODS OF EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE IT SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. SHE NOTICED THE FAILURE DURING PERIODS OF EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401050

70,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD RATHER THAN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD RATHER THAN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401049

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR ACCELERATES WHEN AT LOW IDLE AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD. I CAN STOP IT WITH THE BRAKES. CAN HAPPEN AT STOP LIGHTS, BUT USUALLY THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED AT STOP LIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENS WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND SWITCHING TO DRIVE, IT WILL LURCH AT THAT POINT. IT WILL ALSO…

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CAR ACCELERATES WHEN AT LOW IDLE AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD. I CAN STOP IT WITH THE BRAKES. CAN HAPPEN AT STOP LIGHTS, BUT USUALLY THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED AT STOP LIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENS WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND SWITCHING TO DRIVE, IT WILL LURCH AT THAT POINT. IT WILL ALSO HAPPEN WHEN PARKING, EITHER PULL-IN PARKING OR PARALLEL. JUST LUCKY I'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIT THE BRAKES IN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401033

70,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON OR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO ITS FURTHEST POINT OF ROTATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON OR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO ITS FURTHEST POINT OF ROTATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE THROTTLE PLATE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401011

30,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401008

25,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT TIMES, USUALLY IN THE IDLE POSITION. HE BELIEVED THAT IT OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR ACTIVATED AND CAUS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT TIMES, USUALLY IN THE IDLE POSITION. HE BELIEVED THAT IT OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR ACTIVATED AND CAUSED AN INCREASE IN RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401005

50,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN IT IS WAS IDLE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN IT IS WAS IDLE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 96,000. UPDATED 06/21/11

NHTSA ODI #10400982

85,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

MY FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD IN 2010 WHILE I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT A TOLL BOOTH ON BUSY RT 128. AT THE TIME I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, AND HAD TO AGGRESSIVELY PRESS THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CONTINUED FOR A FEW MMINUTES, AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE". WHEN I GOT TO A…

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MY FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD IN 2010 WHILE I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT A TOLL BOOTH ON BUSY RT 128. AT THE TIME I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, AND HAD TO AGGRESSIVELY PRESS THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CONTINUED FOR A FEW MMINUTES, AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR WENT INTO "LIMP HOME MODE". WHEN I GOT TO A SAFE SPOT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN, THIS LUNGING DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED I THOUGHT IT WAS THE HEAT, OR BECAUSE I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON, ANYTHING TO JUSTIFY WHAT JUST HAPPENED. IT WAS NOT UNTIL II SAW THE NEWS THIS MORNING 5/16/11 AND REALIZED THE PROBLEM I HAD LAST SUMMER WAS EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400964

60,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR A YEAR THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR A YEAR THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE IT SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR THIS FAILURE AS WELL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR FOR THE MENTIONED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378196

50,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SINCE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10372256

Official recalls

2

06V383000 · 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

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

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.