NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Traction Control System complaints
14 reportsClear category filter134,000 miles · May 3, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT SHUT OFF. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED REALLY HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10862727
111,000 miles · Jun 7, 2014
Power TrainTraction Control System
WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY THEN BEGINS TO SHIFT VERY RUFF AND HARD. WHEN IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT DOESN'T COME UNTIL DRIVING AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. THE SHIFTING HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN ACCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596793
71,000 miles · Nov 8, 2012
Power TrainTraction Control System
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. WHEN I CUT THE CAR BACK ON, THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. THIS HAPPENS OFF AND ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483764
111,148 miles · Aug 11, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringTraction Control System
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SHIFT VERY ROUGH AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470261
48,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Traction Control System
2006 CHEVY COBALT SS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY & THE ENGINE COMES ON ALSO. WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR BEGINS TO SHIFT RUFF, BUT THIS IS NOT ALL THE TIME. OFF & ON. WHEN I HAD A COMPUTER HOOKED UP TO THE VEHICLE A BUNCH OF CODES APPEARED & THE SAME CODES DIDN'T APPEAR WHEN I HAD A 2ND OPINION…
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2006 CHEVY COBALT SS. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY & THE ENGINE COMES ON ALSO. WHEN THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR BEGINS TO SHIFT RUFF, BUT THIS IS NOT ALL THE TIME. OFF & ON. WHEN I HAD A COMPUTER HOOKED UP TO THE VEHICLE A BUNCH OF CODES APPEARED & THE SAME CODES DIDN'T APPEAR WHEN I HAD A 2ND OPINION. ACCORDING TO MY GOOGLE SEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH COBALTS. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE RECALL & INVESTIGATED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378191
46,000 miles · Nov 24, 2010
SteeringTraction Control System
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT THAT IS HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES. I THOUGHT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD FIX THE ISSUE AS I HAD IT REPAIRED A WEEK AGO. AFTER THE REPAIR THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $43.00 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBL…
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT THAT IS HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES. I THOUGHT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD FIX THE ISSUE AS I HAD IT REPAIRED A WEEK AGO. AFTER THE REPAIR THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME $43.00 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND CAME UP WITH SEVERAL CODES IN THE COMPUTER BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. NO POWER STEERING AND THE CAR STARTED SHUTTERING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT I THEN HAD POWER STEERING BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I DO NOT BELIEVE GM IS FIXING THE RIGHT PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367824
80,681 miles · Nov 22, 2010
SteeringTraction Control System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, A CHIME SOUNDED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTAC TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE, A CHIME SOUNDED AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH ENHANCED TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTAC TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE ECM WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,681. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMIANTED. UPDATED 04/11/11
NHTSA ODI #10367089
8,742 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Power TrainTraction Control System
WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN (AT ANY SPEED) OR IN PARK, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE MAKES VERY HARD/JUMPY SHIFTS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING NO MORE THAN 4 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. THOUGH I'VE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS TIMES 2 "REPAIRS" HAVE BEEN MADE. I'VE KEPT S…
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WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN (AT ANY SPEED) OR IN PARK, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE MAKES VERY HARD/JUMPY SHIFTS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING NO MORE THAN 4 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE. THOUGH I'VE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS TIMES 2 "REPAIRS" HAVE BEEN MADE. I'VE KEPT SOME OF THE SERVICE ORDERS BUT I DO HAVE ALL WITH NOTED REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363635
56,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Traction Control System
WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM GOING 25 OR 65, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. ONCE THE LIGHT IS ON, MY CAR WILL SHIFT AND WHEN IT SHIFTS, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IT'S VERY SCARY. THE CAR GETS VERY JERKY AND HARD TO DRIVE. IT DOES NOT MAKE A SOUND, LIKE TRACTION CONTROL IS K…
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WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM GOING 25 OR 65, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. ONCE THE LIGHT IS ON, MY CAR WILL SHIFT AND WHEN IT SHIFTS, IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IT'S VERY SCARY. THE CAR GETS VERY JERKY AND HARD TO DRIVE. IT DOES NOT MAKE A SOUND, LIKE TRACTION CONTROL IS KICKING IN. IT FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS TRYING TO SHIFT BUT CANNOT. I'VE READ THAT THIS CAN TURN INTO MORE SERIOUS POWER STEERING ISSUES. I WENT TO GO GET MY CAR RECALLED FOR POWER STEERING, AND THEY SAID IT'S ONLY FOR 2004 COBALT MODELS. I DON'T FIND THAT FAIR IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REST OF THEIR COBALTS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE I AM DRIVING ABOUT EVERY TIME I DRIVE. THE LIGHT DOES GO OFF WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347157
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2010
Traction Control System
THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR STARTS SHIFTING REALLY HARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343941
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.
Oct 29, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 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.
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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