NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
200 reportsClear category filter52,020 miles · May 30, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CLUTCH PEDAL JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT INTO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RED'S AUTO & TRUCK (1451 VISTA VIEW DR., LONGMONT, CO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CLUTCH PEDAL JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT INTO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RED'S AUTO & TRUCK (1451 VISTA VIEW DR., LONGMONT, CO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,020.
NHTSA ODI #11098788
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2018
Power Train
2012 FIAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH FAILED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT STATED THERE WERE REPAIR COSTS THAT STILL NEEDED TO BE REIMB…
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2012 FIAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH FAILED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT STATED THERE WERE REPAIR COSTS THAT STILL NEEDED TO BE REIMBURSED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11029672
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2018
Power Train
2012 FIAT 500C. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS RELATED TO A SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE SAFETY RECALL REPAIR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11066229
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY PREMATURELY FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL ROUTINE REPAIR AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY PREMATURELY FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL ROUTINE REPAIR AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11058487
80,000 miles · Dec 14, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH INSTRUCTED TO RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFTER TO TAKE IT OUT OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH INSTRUCTED TO RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFTER TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT THE INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT MOVED A LITTLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11054750
26,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THE CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK ENGINE, AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND AN UNKNOWN ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THE CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK ENGINE, AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND AN UNKNOWN ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND NO FAILURE CODES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON LEWIS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT CRANBERRY (21145 US-19, CRANBERRY TWP, PA 16066 (724) 452-4040), BUT THE FAILURE STILL COULD NOT BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED. THE THIRD TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSIS STILL COULD NOT BE MADE; HOWEVER, FOUR SPARK PLUGS AND THE NUMBER ONE COIL WERE CHANGED BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #11039591
90,000 miles · Oct 24, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 38 MPH, THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR AND THAT A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LARRY H MILLER ALFA ROMEO AND FIAT TUCSON OF TUCSON, ARIZONA (…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 38 MPH, THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR AND THAT A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LARRY H MILLER ALFA ROMEO AND FIAT TUCSON OF TUCSON, ARIZONA (1000 W WETMORE ROAD) WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11039160
31,433 miles · Sep 26, 2017
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 BEING HAULED BY A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHILE THE FIAT WAS BEING TOWED, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 BEING HAULED BY A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHILE THE FIAT WAS BEING TOWED, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER (SCHMELZ COUNTRYSIDE FIAT, 1178 MN-36, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (651) 484-8441) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AFFECTING THE ENGINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,433. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FAULTY DID NOT ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE. UPDATED 7/20/18*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #11029899
48,870 miles · Sep 19, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED ALFA ROMEO FIAT OF WICHITA (7525 E KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67207 (316) 618-2191) WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,870.
NHTSA ODI #11024231
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
I CALLED FIAT 800-992-1997 I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE 100TH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE MY VIN # [XXX] IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE I COULD GET THE RECALL FIXED FOR MY CLUTCH I TOLD FIAT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAVE UP SO IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER YEAR FOR M…
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I CALLED FIAT 800-992-1997 I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE 100TH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE MY VIN # [XXX] IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE I COULD GET THE RECALL FIXED FOR MY CLUTCH I TOLD FIAT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAVE UP SO IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER YEAR FOR ME TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETE SO I WILL JUST KEEP MY CAR HERE AT HOME AN CHOOSE NOT TO DRIVE IT I WILL RENT CARS INSTEAD ALSO THE CAR CAN NOT BE BOUGHT TRANSFERRED OR SOLD WITH OUT THE COMPLETED RECALL! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11024140
Official recalls
3Nov 15, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
Consequence: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
Consequence: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
May 16, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
Nov 10, 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND FIAT 500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. SOME VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID AND MAY EXPERIENCE A DEGRADATION OF THE SEALING COMPONENTS WITHIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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