NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
149 reportsClear category filter97,745 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE USED ON 12/4/01 , I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE IT INDICATES IT IS OVERHEATING. 3 WEEKS AGO IT STARTED SAYING IT WAS OVERHEATING AND SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE WITH FUMES. IT WAS REPAIRED. AT 3:15 P.M. TODAY, MY CAR INDICATES IT IS OVERHEATING AND NOW THE…
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I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE USED ON 12/4/01 , I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE IT INDICATES IT IS OVERHEATING. 3 WEEKS AGO IT STARTED SAYING IT WAS OVERHEATING AND SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE WITH FUMES. IT WAS REPAIRED. AT 3:15 P.M. TODAY, MY CAR INDICATES IT IS OVERHEATING AND NOW THE SERVICE CAR LIGHT IS ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT SYSTEM. AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON IT INDICATES IT IS OVERHEATHING. HAPPENING TOO MANY TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266538
165,000 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE RADIATOR HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE BLOCK (HEATER CORE) OF THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR HOSE WAS L…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE RADIATOR HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE BLOCK (HEATER CORE) OF THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR HOSE WAS LEAKING AT THE CONNECTION OF THE HOSE. THE VEHICLE ALSO OVERHEATED AT TIMES, IN WHICH THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE OTHER WORK NEEDED TO BE DONE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,123 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BROWN SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN THE RADIATOR. UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10233985
174,000 miles · Nov 1, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFireInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLAMES WERE NOTICED DROPPING TO THE GROUND UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. GREY SMOKE WAS ALSO OBSERVED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT PROCESSED …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLAMES WERE NOTICED DROPPING TO THE GROUND UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. GREY SMOKE WAS ALSO OBSERVED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT PROCESSED AT THE SCENE. THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE MELTED THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF IT, AND DID MODERATE DAMAGE TO A THIRD VEHICLE PARKED ALONGSIDE THE SECOND VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10172344
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
PURCHASED VEHICLE 12/03 SINCE THEN HAVE REPLACED: WATER PUMP 3 TIMES, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET, MAIN REAL SEAL. OVER THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THE BRAKING ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES (MORE THAN 10.) LUCKILY NONE WERE EMERGENCY STOPS, HOWEVER WHEN BRAKING DUE TO TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGE …
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PURCHASED VEHICLE 12/03 SINCE THEN HAVE REPLACED: WATER PUMP 3 TIMES, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT, UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET, MAIN REAL SEAL. OVER THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED THE BRAKING ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES (MORE THAN 10.) LUCKILY NONE WERE EMERGENCY STOPS, HOWEVER WHEN BRAKING DUE TO TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGE OR STOPPING WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, THE BRAKES "CHATTER," AN AUDIBLE WHINE IS PRODUCED, AND IT IS NECESSARY TO PUMP THE BRAKES BEFORE IT WILL REGAIN PRESSURE AND STOP. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164486
895,000 miles · Jun 5, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
PURCHASED 1996 CHEVY BLAZER 1/15/04 FROM CARMAX. EXPERIENCED FREQUENT ISSUES WITH HEATING AND COOLING. 3/22/05 1ST MECHANIC FOUND NO TROUBLE FOR 2 DAYS, THEN DETERMINED THERMOSTAT WAS BAD. 2ND MECHANIC REPLACED THERMOSTAT. BROKE DOWN TWICE DUE TO PRESSURE IN COOLING SYSTEM FORCING RADIATOR HOSES OFF. 6/4/05 MECHANIC RESEATED HOS…
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PURCHASED 1996 CHEVY BLAZER 1/15/04 FROM CARMAX. EXPERIENCED FREQUENT ISSUES WITH HEATING AND COOLING. 3/22/05 1ST MECHANIC FOUND NO TROUBLE FOR 2 DAYS, THEN DETERMINED THERMOSTAT WAS BAD. 2ND MECHANIC REPLACED THERMOSTAT. BROKE DOWN TWICE DUE TO PRESSURE IN COOLING SYSTEM FORCING RADIATOR HOSES OFF. 6/4/05 MECHANIC RESEATED HOSES & CLAMPS, REPLACED RADIATOR CAP, AND FLUSHED SYSTEM. 25 MILES AWAY FROM SHOP TEMP SHOT UP TO 260 DEGREES AND BLEW ALL FLUID OUT. TRIED REFILLING AND WATER IS RUSHING OUT OF THE RADIATOR END CAPS AS FAST AS WE'RE FILLING IT. THERE'S AN EXTREMELY HIGH LEVEL OF SLUDGE THAT APPEARS TO BE DEX-COOL RELATED IN THE OVERFLOW TANK AND HAS ALSO BEEN SEEN IN THE FLUIDS THAT HAVE BEEN DRAINING DURING BREAKDOWNS.
NHTSA ODI #10124247
84,000 miles · Apr 6, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET BALZER GETS RUSTY AND CLOGGED EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. IN 1998 THE WHOLE RADIATOR WAS TAKEN OUT AND BOILED. IN 2001 THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED AGAIN DUE TO RUST AND CLOGGING. AND NOW, APRIL 2004, THE SYSTEM HAS CLOGGED AGAIN AND CAUSES ENGINE OVERHEAT. GM USES DEX COOL WHICH…
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THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET BALZER GETS RUSTY AND CLOGGED EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. IN 1998 THE WHOLE RADIATOR WAS TAKEN OUT AND BOILED. IN 2001 THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED AGAIN DUE TO RUST AND CLOGGING. AND NOW, APRIL 2004, THE SYSTEM HAS CLOGGED AGAIN AND CAUSES ENGINE OVERHEAT. GM USES DEX COOL WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FIVE YEARS, BUT EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS THIS COOLANT SEEMS TO CLOG THE SYSTEM AND REQUIRES AN OVERHAUL COSTING AROUND $400. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10065641
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE BLAZER SUFFERS FROM SUDDEN ACCELERATION AS I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN I COME TO A FULL STOP AT A STOPLIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #10060786
95,000 miles · Mar 4, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ANTI FREEZE HAD A THICK MUDDY TEXTURE IN THE RADIATOR. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. CONSUMER HAS FLUSHED THE RADIATOR THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE…
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AFTER THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ANTI FREEZE HAD A THICK MUDDY TEXTURE IN THE RADIATOR. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. CONSUMER HAS FLUSHED THE RADIATOR THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10061319
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK...PAID OVER $700 FOR REPLACEMENT. THREE DAYS LATER, THE WATER PUMP BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A COMMON OCCURENCE WHEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS REPLACED, AND NOW WANTS TO CHARGE ME OVER $350 TO FIX THE WATER PUMP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060117
52,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLENT LEAK AT INTAKE MANIFOLD . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10058260
Official recalls
6Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Jun 28, 2001
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. FAILURE OF AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY COULD OCCUR DUE TO CORROSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN IMPAIRED STEERING OR STEERING LOSS, OR A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Jul 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM) MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1989 THROUGH AUGUST 1996. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THE SWITCH WHICH SIGNALS THE ABS SYSTEM WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS IN 2-WHEEL OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING ABS STOPS WHILE IN THE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURRED AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE WAS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE 4-WHEEL/2-WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH.
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
Jun 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 60/40 FRONT BENCH SEATS AND EXTENDED CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND 2-DOOR UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL LOCKING RECLINER BUCKET SEATS. THE OUTBOARD SAFETY BELT WEBBING ON THE DRIVER'S AND/OR PASSENGER'S SEAT CAN SEPARATE DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THERE WERE SECONDARY CRASH EVENTS OR VEHICLE ROLLOVER, THERE WOULD BE NO BELT RESTRAINT OF THE OCCUPANT AND INCREASED INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RECLINER MECHANISM.
Nov 14, 1996
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING DEVELOPMENT TESTING, THE PROP SHAFT CONTACTED THE INBOARD SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS LEAKAGE WAS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAK, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL SHIELDING OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS WILL BE ADDED WITHOUT REMOVING OR DISASSEMBLING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
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
7EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA99022 · Upper And Lower Control Arm Ball Joint
Opened Jul 30, 1999 · Closed Aug 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
Suspension
There is no summary currently available
RQ99015 · Front Seat Recliner Bolt Failure
Opened Jul 14, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.
PE99021 · Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Breakage
Opened Mar 5, 1999 · Closed Jul 30, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
AN UPPER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILS, RESULTING IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSING ON THE FAILED SIDE.
EA97007 · Steering Shaft Separations
Opened Apr 17, 1997 · Closed Mar 12, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.
EA97004 · Seat Belt Webbing Separation
Opened Feb 28, 1997 · Closed Aug 5, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
NHTSA'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP) TESTED A 1997 CHEVROLET S-10 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS COMPLETELY CUT DURING THE TEST.
EA94038 · Abs Braking System
Opened Oct 31, 1994 · Closed Feb 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION RESULTED IN A SAFETY RECALL, 99V-193, AND A SERVICE CAMPAIGN, 99I-006.
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