Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
15325–50K
33950–75K
31275–100K
307100–150K
74150K+
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
What owners actually said
1,459 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2016
Power Train
MY 2005 FREESTYLE HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON NUMEROUS TIME TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIME SPENT 2000 DOLLARS IN REPLACEMENT PARTS AND PROBLEM MN STILL HAPPENS WHEN STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS GO TO TAKE OFF CHECK ENGIN LIGHT OMES ON AND SPEED REDUCES STARTED HAPPING AFTER 78000 MILES DEALERSHIP SAYS COST TO REPLACE TRANSMI…
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MY 2005 FREESTYLE HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON NUMEROUS TIME TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIME SPENT 2000 DOLLARS IN REPLACEMENT PARTS AND PROBLEM MN STILL HAPPENS WHEN STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS GO TO TAKE OFF CHECK ENGIN LIGHT OMES ON AND SPEED REDUCES STARTED HAPPING AFTER 78000 MILES DEALERSHIP SAYS COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION IS 8000 STILL PAYING ON CAR THT SITS IN DRIVEWAY
NHTSA ODI #10838921
111,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MY THAN ~40 MPH. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. ONCE PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER START. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THE TR…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MY THAN ~40 MPH. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. ONCE PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER START. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,600.
NHTSA ODI #10837138
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10825414
75,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10825357
140,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED SEVERE HESITATION IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED SEVERE HESITATION IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10823022
112,000 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Structure
IN COLD WEATHER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH. THIS WAS ADDRESSED IN A RECALL (FORD RECALL NO. 06S45) SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WERE AN APPARENT "BANDAID" FIX IS USED BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH IN COLD WEATHE…
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IN COLD WEATHER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH. THIS WAS ADDRESSED IN A RECALL (FORD RECALL NO. 06S45) SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WERE AN APPARENT "BANDAID" FIX IS USED BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH IN COLD WEATHER. I BELIEVE THE LATCH SYSTEM IS FLAWED. WHEN IT DOES LATCH I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IT WILL REMAIN LATCHED WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10820665
205,800 miles · Jan 16, 2016
Power Train
I BOUGHT THIS SUV 9-11-15 WITH THE INTENT TO GO TO MY VA APPOINTMENTS DUE TO MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THE OWNER STATED IT HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT AUTOMOBILES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. WHEN I GOT READY TO DRIVE THE CAR IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS, JUST GOING FORWARD …
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I BOUGHT THIS SUV 9-11-15 WITH THE INTENT TO GO TO MY VA APPOINTMENTS DUE TO MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THE OWNER STATED IT HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT AUTOMOBILES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. WHEN I GOT READY TO DRIVE THE CAR IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS, JUST GOING FORWARD BUT COULD GO IN REVERSE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP 35 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED IT NEEDED A THROTTLE BODY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT, AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH THEY STATED IT WOULD IDLE DOWN THE CAR BEFORE THEY COULD DIAGNOSIS THE CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW THEY STATING I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE FOR $6000. I DO NOT HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY TO BUY A TRANSMISSION HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO MY APPOINTMENTS IN SC AND GA. WHY THIS VEHICLE HAS NO RECALLS ON POWERTRAIN, THROTTLE BODY, ETC WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATE THEY DO NOT KNOW EXIST AND IS CHARGING ALL THIS MONEY FOR REPAIRS WHICH DO NOT WORK. I NEED SOME KIND OF A RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HATE TO JUNK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND GREAT FOR MY TRAVELING TO THE DOCTORS.
NHTSA ODI #10820659
136,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Unknown Or Other
I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LAST YEAR 2015,FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR HER FIRST STARTER VEHICLE. JUST LAST NIGHT THE DOOR LATCHES STARTED FREEZING UP AND THE DOOR WONT CLOSE AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SO I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN 2006. THE PREVIOUS OWNER MAY HAVE …
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I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LAST YEAR 2015,FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR HER FIRST STARTER VEHICLE. JUST LAST NIGHT THE DOOR LATCHES STARTED FREEZING UP AND THE DOOR WONT CLOSE AND OPENS WHILE DRIVING. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SO I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN 2006. THE PREVIOUS OWNER MAY HAVE HAD A GARAGE TO KEEP IT PROTECTED FROM COLD BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION. SINCE THE REPAIR WAS ALREADY DONE THEY WONT TAKE CARE OF IT AND IT IS MY PROBLEM TO REPAIR. I WOULD THING THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY WOULD WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT SINCE THE FIRST FIX DIDN'T WORK. MY DAUGHTER IS 17 AND NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE DOOR OPENING WHILE SHE IS DRIVING EVERY TIME ITS COLD AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR BEING INJURED HERSELF.
NHTSA ODI #10820054
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2016
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN FRIGID WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN FRIGID WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTICED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10819276
3 miles · Dec 28, 2015
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WON'T WORK.. MY REVERSE LIGHT STAY ON AND I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE GAUGES ARE READING SEEING AS THEY WONT WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PANEL. MY RADIO LIGHTS WORK BUT NOTHING ELSE. I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE SPEED LIMIT IS NOTHING. HOW CAN ONE DRIVE A CAR WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS …
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THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WON'T WORK.. MY REVERSE LIGHT STAY ON AND I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE GAUGES ARE READING SEEING AS THEY WONT WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PANEL. MY RADIO LIGHTS WORK BUT NOTHING ELSE. I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE SPEED LIMIT IS NOTHING. HOW CAN ONE DRIVE A CAR WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON AND NO DASH LIGHTS? THIS IS A FAMILY CAR I'V ONLY HAD IT A YEAR WITH ABOUT 73,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST SPENT 4,000 TO HAVE MY ENGINE FIXED 4 MONTHS AGO! HOW CAN THIS CAR BE SAFE? IT STARTED 12-27-15 AND IS STILL NOT WORKING TODAY. MOTION THE CAR WAS IN MOTION EXTREMELY RAINY FOR OHIO THIS TIME OF YEAR.
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.
2005 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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