WHEN STOPPING AND STARTING AT STOPLIGHT ETC CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE. PRESS HAS CAR BARLEY MOVES THEN IT WILL JUMP INTO GEAR AND DRIVE NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN ENGINE IS HOT AND CAR HAS BEEN DRIVE FOR A EXTENDED PERIOD.
2016 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
525 reports with mileage · 312 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 302 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 166 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
174 reportsI HAVE TAKEN MY 2016 MALIBU PREMIER 2.0 TURBO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PARK ASSIST SENSORS GOING OUT. NOW, THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I AM NOT AGREEING WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I HAV…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY 2016 MALIBU PREMIER 2.0 TURBO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PARK ASSIST SENSORS GOING OUT. NOW, THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPAIRS. I AM NOT AGREEING WITH THIS BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR OF THIS SAME COMPONENT. NOW THE SERVICE ADVISOR HAS CONTACTED ME SAYING THE ENTIRE MODULE HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM ITSELF. I PURCHASED THE CAR SEPT. 21, 2016, IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN SO SOON, NOW I HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE SAME WORK TO THE DONE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THIS REPAIR, INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE SYSTEM UPDATE. THESE PARK ASSIST SENSOR ALERTS WHEN SOMEONE IS WALKING IN FRONT OR BEHIND THE VEHICLE, AS WELL AS ANOTHER VEHICLE BEING IN A 'BLIND SPOT". THE ALERT IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL AT NIGHT , WHEN IN AN AREA WITH PEDESTRIANS AND SMALL CHILDREN, AND BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS.
AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT FAILURE/ SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK WHEN STATIONARY 2016 BRAKE LINE DETERIORATION, BRAKE FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION FALL 2017 MAY 2018 LOSS OF POWER DURING HIGHWAY DRIVE AT 65 MPH. CAR TOWED TO DEALER, CAUSE CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK WITHOUT DAMAGE. WE NOTICED A FOUL SMELL IN OUR VEHICLE. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE IT RAINS QUITE OFTEN. WE ASSUMED IT WAS OUR 9-YEAR-OLD LEAVING SOME FRENCH FRIES BEHIND WHEN SHE LEFT THE DAY PRIOR. WE THEN GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND NOTICED THE FLOOR HAD STANDING WATER AND THE BACK SEATS WERE WET. I LO…
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THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK WITHOUT DAMAGE. WE NOTICED A FOUL SMELL IN OUR VEHICLE. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA WHERE IT RAINS QUITE OFTEN. WE ASSUMED IT WAS OUR 9-YEAR-OLD LEAVING SOME FRENCH FRIES BEHIND WHEN SHE LEFT THE DAY PRIOR. WE THEN GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND NOTICED THE FLOOR HAD STANDING WATER AND THE BACK SEATS WERE WET. I LOOKED INTO THE TRUNK WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AND SAW A PUDDLE OF WATER. NOW EVERY TIME IT RAINS, IT LEAKS AND THERE IS MOLD ON BACKSEAT AND TRUNK. I CALLED COX CHEVROLET 2 TIMES AND LEFT MESSAGES FOR THEM TO CALL ME BACK, AND THEY HAVEN'T. AFTER PAYING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY TO OWN THIS, WE ARE NOW IN A SMELLY, MOLDY VEHICLE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & REDUCED POWER EXPERIENCES THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. POOR FUEL ECONOMY (SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE) AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL (HOWEVER NOT VISABLE). MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND ISSUES WERE 5000 AND 3300 (SYNTHETIC OIL - SHOULD NOT BE LOW & DIRTY IN THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME). IDLING IS VERY ROUGH AND C…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & REDUCED POWER EXPERIENCES THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. POOR FUEL ECONOMY (SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE) AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL (HOWEVER NOT VISABLE). MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND ISSUES WERE 5000 AND 3300 (SYNTHETIC OIL - SHOULD NOT BE LOW & DIRTY IN THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME). IDLING IS VERY ROUGH AND COOLING FANS NOT SHUTTING OFF. 35 DAYS LATER - SAME ISSUE - REDUCED POWER, OIL LEVEL LOW, IDLING ROUGH. DEALER FOUND LOW COMPRESSION, BLOWN PISTON AND DEBRIS CAUSING DEEP SCORES IN BORE. ENGINE REPLACED. 60 DAYS LATER - SAME ISSUE - REDUCED POWER, IDLING ROUGH, COOLING FANS CONTINUE TO RUN. REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. BEFORE LEAVING DEALERSHIP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, COOLING FAN CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER ENGINE TURNED OFF. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.
INSIDE THE CAR IT SMELLS LIKE A MOLD(SMELLS LIKE DO DO). THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ITS SOMETHING DEALING WITH CADILLAC CONVERTER.
IN DASH GPS SYSTEM SOLD AS A SAFETY FACTOR TO WIFE WHEN VEHICLE PURCHASED. WE WERE TOLD AT TIME OF SALE THE UP GRADES WERE DO ON A REGULAR BASIC AT NO CHARGE. THE SYSTEM GOT INTO A COUPLE OF UN SAFE SITUATIONS (DIRECTED DOWN A INCOMPLETE ROAD WITH NO EXIT) THAT SHE REQUIRED ASSISTANCE VIA HER MOBILE PHONE. TO US, ALL SAFETY R…
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IN DASH GPS SYSTEM SOLD AS A SAFETY FACTOR TO WIFE WHEN VEHICLE PURCHASED. WE WERE TOLD AT TIME OF SALE THE UP GRADES WERE DO ON A REGULAR BASIC AT NO CHARGE. THE SYSTEM GOT INTO A COUPLE OF UN SAFE SITUATIONS (DIRECTED DOWN A INCOMPLETE ROAD WITH NO EXIT) THAT SHE REQUIRED ASSISTANCE VIA HER MOBILE PHONE. TO US, ALL SAFETY RELATED ITEMS THAT REQUIRE ANY TYPE OF UP GRADE SHOULD BE AT "NO COST" TO CONSUMER. GM DOESN'T PROVIDE UP GRADES TO SYSTEM WITHOUT A CHARGE OF $ 179.00 WHERE A GARMIN UNIT DOES AT NO CHARGE.
WHEN PARKING PROXIMITY SENSORS AND PARKING CAMERA FAILED, A CHANGE IN BCM MODULE WAS NEEDED, AFTER THAT AN ALERT ON TRANSMISSION SYSTEM APPEARED INCLUDING THE PARKING SYSTEM AGAIN. CAR HAS BEEN WITH DEALER 10 TIMES COUNTING ALMOST 3MONTHS WITHOUT IT AND WITHOUT AN ACCURATE REASON/SOLUTION.
I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AFTER A MONTH AND DROVE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND I NOTICE IT WAS NOT GETTING COOL. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY CONDENSER AND A FOREIGN OBJECT HIT AND DAMAGED IT AN IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO I CALLED GM CUSTOMERS I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A NICKEL SIZE …
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I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AFTER A MONTH AND DROVE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND I NOTICE IT WAS NOT GETTING COOL. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY CONDENSER AND A FOREIGN OBJECT HIT AND DAMAGED IT AN IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO I CALLED GM CUSTOMERS I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A NICKEL SIZE WHOLE IN THE CONDENSER. AND THEY WE'RE NOT GONNA COVER IT BUT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THERE REPAIRS. WAS COVERED AND THERE IS NO NICKEL SIZE HOLE IN MY CONDENSER AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PICTURE.
WHILE DRIVING ALERT ON PANEL SHOWED SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE CARE WHEN THIS HAPPENED CAR LOST TRACTION AND BRAKES NOT WORKED PROPERLY. 3 X MY CAR IS BEEN ON DAVIS MAUS SANFORD SERVICE LAST SERVICE AUGUST MY CAR WAS RETURNED 8/5/15 MANAGER ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED AND SINCE 3 WEEKS AGO STARTED AGAIN NOW WHILE IS PARK AND TURN…
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WHILE DRIVING ALERT ON PANEL SHOWED SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE CARE WHEN THIS HAPPENED CAR LOST TRACTION AND BRAKES NOT WORKED PROPERLY. 3 X MY CAR IS BEEN ON DAVIS MAUS SANFORD SERVICE LAST SERVICE AUGUST MY CAR WAS RETURNED 8/5/15 MANAGER ASSURED ME IT WAS FIXED AND SINCE 3 WEEKS AGO STARTED AGAIN NOW WHILE IS PARK AND TURNED OFF MESSAGE OF SWIFT TO PARK APPEARED AND ALL ELECTRONIC /RADIO ECT START ON AND ALARM ACTIVATION DOESN'T WORK.
Official recalls
921V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
Aug 20, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Consequence: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
18V400000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jun 14, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
May 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
16V781000 · Air Bags:side/window
Oct 26, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag tears during deployment, the air bag may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.
16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Jul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
16V272000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)
May 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.
16V151000 · Air Bags:side/window
Mar 11, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.
16V125000 · Air Bags:frontal
Mar 2, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
16V084000 · Electrical System:software
Feb 11, 2016
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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