NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
103 reportsClear category filter186,300 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DIMMER SWITCH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,300.
NHTSA ODI #10643658
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2014
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE HIGH BEAMS WERE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE HIGH BEAMS WERE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/20/14 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE TO BE SWITCHED OFF THEN ON IN ORDER TO WORK AGAIN. THE CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING THE DAY ALSO. UPDATED 5/5/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10640778
120,644 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BE REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE INSIDE THE LIGHT FIXTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,6…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BE REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE INSIDE THE LIGHT FIXTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,644.
NHTSA ODI #10618897
110,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting
IN THE SUMMER OF 2013 MY DAUGHTER REPORTED THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ON HER CAR WAS HARD TO OPERATE WHEN TRYING TO ACTIVATE HIGH BEAMS. ONE NIGHT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTRY ROAD SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPERATE THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN …
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IN THE SUMMER OF 2013 MY DAUGHTER REPORTED THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ON HER CAR WAS HARD TO OPERATE WHEN TRYING TO ACTIVATE HIGH BEAMS. ONE NIGHT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTRY ROAD SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPERATE THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT COMPLETELY. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. AT THAT TIME SHE PLAYED WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WAS ABLE TO GET LOW BEAMS TO COME BACK. I'VE SPOKEN WITH TWO MECHANICS WHO SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EARLY 2000'S IMPALAS WHICH MEANS THERE MUST BE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS / INJURIES ASSOCIATED BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY POPULAR CARS. CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROLIFIC, WELL-KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617576
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY DRIVERSIDE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT SO I STOPPED AND BOUGHT A NEW BULB AT THE CLOSEST STORE WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB THE LIGHT STILL DIDNT COME BACK ON THEN THE DTR LIGHT ALSO STARTED HAVING ISSUES THE ONLY TIME YOU GET ANY LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS WHEN YOU MOVE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY…
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I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY DRIVERSIDE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT SO I STOPPED AND BOUGHT A NEW BULB AT THE CLOSEST STORE WHEN I REPLACED THE BULB THE LIGHT STILL DIDNT COME BACK ON THEN THE DTR LIGHT ALSO STARTED HAVING ISSUES THE ONLY TIME YOU GET ANY LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS WHEN YOU MOVE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AROUND THEN YOU GET DIM LIGHTING SO FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS WE HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO USE OUR CAR AT NIGHT. I KEEP CHECKING FOR RECALLS BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANY AND WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH OUR DTR LIGHTING INCLUDING THE ONES THAT CONTROL OUR DASH LIGHTS. CAUSE WE HAVE NONE THEY WORK DURING TH EDAY WHEN THEY WANT TOO BUT AT NIGHT WE HAVE NO LIGHTS IN OUR DASH. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT HAS QUIT WORKING. IT ALL OCCURED ROUGHLY AROUND THE SAME TIME. NOBODYS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10592973
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY ENTIRE VEHICLE FLOOR IS FLOODED. MY RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING AND MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM 2002 TO 2005. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PAY A LOT IF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND STILL HAVE A …
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EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY ENTIRE VEHICLE FLOOR IS FLOODED. MY RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING AND MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM 2002 TO 2005. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AND CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PAY A LOT IF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO BEFORE I AM DONE PAYING FOR IT. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT DEPEND IN THUS CAR ALONG WITH MYSELF IF THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586112
197,000 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEGUN TO GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY. SO FAR, WE CAN CLICK THE LIGHTS FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM OR VICE-VERSA AND THEY COME BACK ON. THIS STARTED THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR, BUT LAST WEEK THEY ACTUALLY STARTED FLICKERING RIGHT BEFORE THEY WENT OFF. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THIS IS A…
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WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEGUN TO GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY. SO FAR, WE CAN CLICK THE LIGHTS FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM OR VICE-VERSA AND THEY COME BACK ON. THIS STARTED THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR, BUT LAST WEEK THEY ACTUALLY STARTED FLICKERING RIGHT BEFORE THEY WENT OFF. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH MANY CONSUMERS. I LIVE IN RURAL AMERICA AND FEAR THE LIGHTS GOING OUT WHERE THERE ARE NO STREET LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF LIGHTING. THERE ARE MANY CURVES AND HILLS AND FEAR WHAT COULD HAPPEN ESPECIALLY IF MY TEENAGER IS DRIVING AND PANICS. WE HAVE SEARCHED FOR THE "FIX" BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW FOR SURE AND GM HAS MADE NO ATTEMPT TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. MY COMPLAINT IS WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE READ SO MANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT IT MAY BE BUT NO ONE HAS THE EXACT REMEDY FOR IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583877
204,511 miles · Feb 15, 2014
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT PULLED OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD, PULLED ON TIMER SWITCH HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT MANY ISSUES RELATED TO HEADLIGHT FAILURE. GM NEEDS TO RECALL MY 16 YR. OLD DAUGHTER 03 IMPALA, BEFORE SHE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564532
214,000 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS JUST QUIT WORKING ON 2 5 2014. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563461
98,740 miles · Nov 16, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE CAR WILL NOT START NO MATTER HOT OR COLD. ONCE STARTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THROWS MULTIPLE ERRORS, FROM SECURITY, BATTERY, SERVICE ENGINE SOON, ABS LIGHT, SEAT BELT LIGHT, AND BRAKES. THE COMPLETE DASH BOARD GOES DEAD INCLUDING ALL GAUGES, FROM THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE WARNING BELL CONTINUES TO RING…
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THE CAR WILL NOT START NO MATTER HOT OR COLD. ONCE STARTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THROWS MULTIPLE ERRORS, FROM SECURITY, BATTERY, SERVICE ENGINE SOON, ABS LIGHT, SEAT BELT LIGHT, AND BRAKES. THE COMPLETE DASH BOARD GOES DEAD INCLUDING ALL GAUGES, FROM THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE WARNING BELL CONTINUES TO RING AS THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON - IT DOES THIS CONTINUALLY WHILE DRIVING. OFTEN TIMES IT WILL NOT START. I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I AM CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE PUT A NEW BATTER, NEW STARTER AND NEW ALTERNATOR IN THIS CAR. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RE-CALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552534
Official recalls
5Oct 26, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Jul 3, 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 July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix 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.
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 install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Apr 8, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Feb 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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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