NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,143 reportsClear category filter55,710 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AND RE-STARTED TO CONTINUE DRIVING. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME HE MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AND RE-STARTED TO CONTINUE DRIVING. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME HE MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND/OR MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,746 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,710.
NHTSA ODI #10286536
105,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009
Steering
POWER STEERING GOES OUT INSTANTLY WHEN I START TO DRIVE. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN MAKE IT WORK AGAIN FOR ONLY FOR A VERY SHORT TIME, ABOUT 2 MINS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. I'M BARELY 100LBS AND IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. MY ARMS ARE VERY SORE & MY RIGHT ARM I HAVING PROBLEMS I BELIE…
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POWER STEERING GOES OUT INSTANTLY WHEN I START TO DRIVE. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN MAKE IT WORK AGAIN FOR ONLY FOR A VERY SHORT TIME, ABOUT 2 MINS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. I'M BARELY 100LBS AND IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. MY ARMS ARE VERY SORE & MY RIGHT ARM I HAVING PROBLEMS I BELIEVE DUE TO HAVING TO DRIVE THIS CAR W/O POWER STEERING. IT ALSO PRESENT A VERY SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD AS I'VE ALREADY NEARLY ESCAPED SEVERAL CRASHES AT HIGH SPEEDS BY NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE CAR FAST ENOUGH. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND FIND IT EXTREMELY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS MODEL HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED ENTIRELY DUE TO NOT ONLY THIS ISSUE BUT MANY OTHERS I'VE READ AS WELL. IT WOULD BE IN GM'S BEST INTEREST TO DUE SO IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THEY HAVE A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT ON THERE HANDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286130
50,000 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Steering
I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE POWER STEERING JUST RANDOMLY GOES OUT. IT STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR PARKED FOR 2 WEEKS UNTIL I COULD AFFORD TO BRING IT IN. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE NEEDED POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THERE IS NO PLACE TO PUT THIS FLUID. THE CAR HAS SOME TYPE OF ELECT…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE POWER STEERING JUST RANDOMLY GOES OUT. IT STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR PARKED FOR 2 WEEKS UNTIL I COULD AFFORD TO BRING IT IN. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE NEEDED POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THERE IS NO PLACE TO PUT THIS FLUID. THE CAR HAS SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THIS IS DANGEROUS; I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AND A PEDESTRIAN AFTER MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT STOPPED FOR A FEW WEEKS THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY FEW DAYS. LAST NIGHT I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN ONCOMING CAR BECAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THIS CAR AND IT WILL COST $1100. AFTER SIMPLY PUTTING IN CHEVY COBALT AND POWER STEERING INTO A SEARCH ENGINE ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN THAT HUNDREDS MAYBE THOUSANDS OF COBALT OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE PETITIONS ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR THE POWER STEERING JUST GOING OUT. THIS SHOWS ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF MANY COBALT OWNERS HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING, I THINK THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285957
55,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Steering
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE IN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. FIRST STARTED FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AROUND 55K MILES. NOW FAILS WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF STARTING THE VEHICLE (62K MILES). GM SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX WITHOUT COMPLETELY REPLACING STEERING COLUMN. HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285680
74,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $1100.00. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFY…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $1100.00. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 74,020. UPDATED 10/29/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10285624
63,000 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10285615
30,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering
THE COBALT POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MANY INSTANCES, WITH MANY PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS. YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND TH…
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THE COBALT POWER STEERING RANDOMLY FAILS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO STEER. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MANY INSTANCES, WITH MANY PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS. YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285582
68,567 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Steering
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM IN MY COBALT KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL TO TURN THE VEHICLE. WILL BE TAKING IT TO DEALER FOR 2ND TIME OVER THIS PROBLEM, AND KEEP BEING TOLD THIS ISN'T A CHEVY ISSUE HOWEVER OVER 20,000 COMPLAINTS OVER THIS DEFECT TO CHEVY.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285574
9,300 miles · Sep 28, 2009
SteeringTraction Control System
CHEVY COBALT 2005 TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON STARTING SUMMER OF 2009. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2009 I WAS 5 BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME...HEARD "BING BING BING", LOST POWER STEERING, ABS MADE THE CAR BUCK, AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE THE CAR 4 BLOCKS TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME TO GET THE CAR…
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CHEVY COBALT 2005 TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON STARTING SUMMER OF 2009. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2009 I WAS 5 BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME...HEARD "BING BING BING", LOST POWER STEERING, ABS MADE THE CAR BUCK, AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE THE CAR 4 BLOCKS TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALER WHICH I DID. HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. ON THE INTERNET IF YOU TYPE COBALT 2005 DEFECTS MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ARE BEING REPORTED TO GM. GM DENIES A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. I AM FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AS YOU GET NO WARNING OF FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285538
38,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SHE HEARD A THUMPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38000. UPDATED 11/06/09 *BF UPDATED 11/06/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10285485
Official recalls
5Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Mar 3, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Jan 18, 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ENERGY ABSORBING PLASTIC TO THE HEADLINER TRIM TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN A CRASH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Nov 22, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BULB SHIELDS INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS CAN LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BULB SHIELD CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK BECAUSE OF VIBRATION. IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HEADLAMP INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE, ONCOMING DRIVERS MAY NOTICE ADDITIONAL GLARE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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