NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports70,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
TiresVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10667707
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, SURGED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE WOULD REV. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, SURGED, AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE WOULD REV. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10664924
118,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Structure
WHILE DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED, ALMOST EXPELLING MY CHILD HAD HE NOT HAD A SEAT BELT ON. THE DOORS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN FREEZING UP AND EITHER DON'T CLOSE OR POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL THAT IS NOT VIN PERTINENT BUT IS ON THE FORD FREESTYLE FOR THESE FREEZING DOOR LATCHES. WHEN I CALL…
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WHILE DRIVING THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED, ALMOST EXPELLING MY CHILD HAD HE NOT HAD A SEAT BELT ON. THE DOORS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN FREEZING UP AND EITHER DON'T CLOSE OR POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL THAT IS NOT VIN PERTINENT BUT IS ON THE FORD FREESTYLE FOR THESE FREEZING DOOR LATCHES. WHEN I CALL FORD THEY TELL ME THE VIN HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS...CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664231
187,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Power TrainSuspension
FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING THIS LOUD "HELICOPTER" NOISE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO I HAD THAT CHANGED, THOUGHT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND COOLING FAN, HAD THAT CHANGED. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I SEE THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON AND DAN…
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FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING THIS LOUD "HELICOPTER" NOISE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO I HAD THAT CHANGED, THOUGHT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND COOLING FAN, HAD THAT CHANGED. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I SEE THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. THANKFULLY MY CAR HAS NOT LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING BUT HAS GONE INTO SAFE MODE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS TRYING TO BACKUP AND I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I REVVED THE ENGINE BUT INSTEAD OF REVVING UP THE RPM'S WENT DOWN...IT HAD HAPPENED AGAIN TWICE LAST WEEK. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD STOP AT ANY MOMENT. I CONTACTED FORD TODAY BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO BEING THERE IS NO RECALL AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (I BOUGHT IT USED 4 YEARS AGO). I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED ABOUT A YEAR AGO BECAUSE OF THE SURGING ISSUES AND HAD THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED A MONTH AGO. TOO MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2005-2007 MODELS. I FIND IT FUNNY THEY STOPPED MAKING THEM, THEN STARTED AGAIN UNDER THE NAME TAURUS X WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. SEEMS THEY KNOW THEY MESSED UP. I GOOGLED MY ISSUES AND FOUND A LAWSUIT PLUS MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING MADE AND YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING THE SAME ISSUE IF YOU "FIX IT" OR REBUILD IT. NOT SAFE AT ALL AND FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! NOW I EITHER HAVE TO FIX IT OR SAVE FOR A NEW CAR. WE HAVE 4 KIDS AND NEED SOMETHING SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663375
115,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AGO, I FILED A COMPLAINT REGARDING A SURGING WITH MY FORD FREESTYLE. WE HAD OUR VEHICLE SERVICED AND THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED FOR A WHILE, BUT WE RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES AGAIN. THIS TIME THE FREESTYLE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION, THE RPMS DROPPED, AND A WRENCH-SHAPED WARN…
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A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS AGO, I FILED A COMPLAINT REGARDING A SURGING WITH MY FORD FREESTYLE. WE HAD OUR VEHICLE SERVICED AND THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED FOR A WHILE, BUT WE RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES AGAIN. THIS TIME THE FREESTYLE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION, THE RPMS DROPPED, AND A WRENCH-SHAPED WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED. AT FIRST IT SEEMED TO BE AN ISSUE ONLY WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, BUT HAS SINCE HAPPENED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. WE TOOK OUR CAR INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY COMPLETELY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FOR A TOTAL OF $900, BUT WE ARE STILL HAVING ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662974
65,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DEACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP WITHOUT THE CONTACT ACCELERATING. THE DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD DEACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP WITHOUT THE CONTACT ACCELERATING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10662746
122,798 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH REMAINED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND FAILED TO CLOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,798. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH REMAINED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND FAILED TO CLOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,798. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10661929
122,798 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH REMAINED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT SHUT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,79…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH REMAINED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT SHUT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,798. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10661547
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT I HAVE THE SAME MAKE/MODEL THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE 11/8/2006 RECALL BUT FORD AND NHTSA LIMITED THE VEHICLES TO ONLY CERTAIN STATES. DURING COLD WEATHER WATER IS ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CAR DOOR AND FREEZE THE LATCHES. THE CAR DOOR LATCH THEN FREEZES MAKING IT UNSAFE AND UNDRIVEABLE AS THE DOOR WILL NOT …
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I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT I HAVE THE SAME MAKE/MODEL THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE 11/8/2006 RECALL BUT FORD AND NHTSA LIMITED THE VEHICLES TO ONLY CERTAIN STATES. DURING COLD WEATHER WATER IS ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CAR DOOR AND FREEZE THE LATCHES. THE CAR DOOR LATCH THEN FREEZES MAKING IT UNSAFE AND UNDRIVEABLE AS THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THIS RECALL WAS DONE ON 10/5/2006 UNDER CAMPAIGN NUMBER PE11018 BUT BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED FORD WILL NOT FIX THE SAFETY ISSUE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10661425
133,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED CAUSING THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED CAUSING THE DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
NHTSA ODI #10660477
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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