CLOSED REAR HATCH AND GLASS EXPLOSIVELY SHATTERED INTO THOUSANDS OF SMALL PIECES. *TR
2010 Ford Escape Hybrid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 68.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape Hybrid 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
58 reports with mileage · 1 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.
- Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
59 reportsAT ABOUT 6:30 PM THIS EVENING, A FRIEND AND I WENT TO THE CAR TO GO TO STORE. WE OPENED THE BACK HATCH AND PUT IN A COUPLE ITEMS WE WERE PLANNING ON RETURNING IN THE BACK. MY FRIEND SHUT THE BACK HATCH AND THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED VIOLENTLY SENDING GLASS IN ALL DIRECTIONS. BOTH OF US WERE HIT BY FLYING GLASS PIECES. THE GLASS …
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AT ABOUT 6:30 PM THIS EVENING, A FRIEND AND I WENT TO THE CAR TO GO TO STORE. WE OPENED THE BACK HATCH AND PUT IN A COUPLE ITEMS WE WERE PLANNING ON RETURNING IN THE BACK. MY FRIEND SHUT THE BACK HATCH AND THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED VIOLENTLY SENDING GLASS IN ALL DIRECTIONS. BOTH OF US WERE HIT BY FLYING GLASS PIECES. THE GLASS SHATTERED IN SO MANY SMALL PIECES THAT IT WAS THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND COVERED A RADIUS ON HER DRIVEWAY AND LAWN OF ABOUT TEN FEET. THERE IS NO LOGICAL REASON WHY THE GLASS SHOULD HAVE SHATTERED - THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION OR ANY NOTICEABLE ISSUE WITH HATCH BEFORE IT HAPPENED. *TR
DRIVING 40 MPH AND MY CAR JUST STALLED. CAR STUTTERED, QUIT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING AND ROADS WEREN'T TO BUSY. I COASTED TO A SIDE ROAD, PULLED OVER, WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND RESTARTED. I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED 2010 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED A WEEK AGO. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE GOOGLED THE VEHICLE …
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DRIVING 40 MPH AND MY CAR JUST STALLED. CAR STUTTERED, QUIT AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING AND ROADS WEREN'T TO BUSY. I COASTED TO A SIDE ROAD, PULLED OVER, WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND RESTARTED. I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED 2010 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED A WEEK AGO. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE GOOGLED THE VEHICLE SOONER. :(
THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF FOR LAST 2 YEARS THEN AT THE LAST TIMES CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER, AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN, AFTER A MINUTE, I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AGAIN. IT WORKED BUT I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORD DEALER. THEY INDICATED THAT IF THERE…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, MY VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER, AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN, AFTER A MINUTE, I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AGAIN. IT WORKED BUT I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORD DEALER. THEY INDICATED THAT IF THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ON (THERE WAS NONE) THEN IT WOULD BE UNLIKELY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. THREE DAYS LATER, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AGAIN. AGAIN, I TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT, AND DROVE OFF. IT WAS IN THICK TRAFFIC SO WE WERE MOVING SLOWLY FOR THE HIGHWAY, BUT AGAIN IT WAS BETWEEN 40-50 MILES/HOUR. I BELIEVE THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE THE INCIDENTS DETAILED IN THE CURRENT OPEN INVESTIGATION, PE13003, OPENED IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. A RECALL OF THESE FORD ESCAPES NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR CAR TO SUDDENLY STOP FOR NO REASON ESPECIALLY IF THE SUV IS CARRIED SMALL CHILDREN (MINE WAS NOT). I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE UNTIL I DID SOME INVESTIGATION ONLINE, AND THE FORD DEALER NEVER MENTIONED IT TO ME AT ALL WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. IN FACT, THEY SAID IT "JUST MIGHT GO AWAY". THEY DIDN'T APPEAR TO TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY AT ALL.
WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE ON MAY 7TH 2012 THERE WERE ONE AUDIBLE AND THREE VISIBLE ALARMS - SHOWING A BRAKE FAILURE. I MOVED FORWARD SLIGHTLY TO SEE IF THAT WAS TRUE AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. FORD HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN AND IT TOOK ABOUT 10 DAYS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR - A FAILED PIN IN A BRAKE SIGNAL WIRE. THEY R…
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WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE ON MAY 7TH 2012 THERE WERE ONE AUDIBLE AND THREE VISIBLE ALARMS - SHOWING A BRAKE FAILURE. I MOVED FORWARD SLIGHTLY TO SEE IF THAT WAS TRUE AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. FORD HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN AND IT TOOK ABOUT 10 DAYS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR - A FAILED PIN IN A BRAKE SIGNAL WIRE. THEY REPLACED THE WIRE. ON SUNDAY 4 AUGUST 2013 WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH I HEARD A TWIN CHIME AUDIBLE ALARM AND LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS A VISIBLE NOTICE - CHECK BRAKES. WHEN I DID - THERE WERE NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY TURNING INTO A SIDE STREET THAT WAS UPHILL AND USING THE EMERGENCY / PARKING BRAKE. THERE WERE 33,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THAT POINT. FORD, ONCE AGAIN, HAD IT TOWED IN. EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED CAREFULLY IN WRITING WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN THE REPAIR SHOP OPENED ON MONDAY THEY WROTE IT UP AS A REPEAT OF THE ORIGINAL FAILURE - SO THE DIAGNOSIS IS SUSPECT IN MY MIND. AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS THEY SAID IT WAS READY - NO FAILURE FOUND BUT THERE WAS SOME CODE SAVED IN MEMORY; THEY RELOADED SOME FIRMWARE AND TEST DROVE IT ABOUT 20 MILES A DAY FOR A WEEK. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM CONCERNED EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. IT NOW HAS 33, 200 MILES ON IT. NOTE WELL - ALL MILEAGES LISTED ARE ACCURATE TO WITHIN 50 MILES. *JS CONSUMER STATED BRAKES HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES, SAFETY RECALL 14S05 NEEDS TO SERVICED, POSSIBLE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAULT RELATED TO THE TORQUE SENSOR. DETAILED LETTER SENT TO DEALER AND WILL CALL CONSUMER REGARDING VEHICLE. UPDATED 6/11/18 *JB
MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING HOME AND THE CAR WENT FROM 45 MPH TO ABOUT 1 MPH, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE GAS NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR LIMPED HOME. WE DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL BODY. WE CONTACTED GWINNETT PLACE FORD AND THEY INFORMED US THAT NO RECALL WAS IN PL…
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MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING HOME AND THE CAR WENT FROM 45 MPH TO ABOUT 1 MPH, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE GAS NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR LIMPED HOME. WE DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL BODY. WE CONTACTED GWINNETT PLACE FORD AND THEY INFORMED US THAT NO RECALL WAS IN PLACE AND WOULD NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE WITHOUT PAYMENT. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AT THAT TIME SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *TR
I JUST FINISHED A RIGHT TURN AND ACCELERATED TO CONTINUE DOWN THE STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN SUDDENLY STALLED. THEN ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP/DOWN AS I TRIED TO GET MY VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE BUT IT WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK, THEN ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV …
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I JUST FINISHED A RIGHT TURN AND ACCELERATED TO CONTINUE DOWN THE STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN SUDDENLY STALLED. THEN ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP/DOWN AS I TRIED TO GET MY VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC LANE BUT IT WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. WHEN I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK, THEN ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP/DOWN FOR ALMOST HALF AN HOUR BEFORE BEING SHUT OFF. *TR
I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND I WENT TO EXCEL FORWARD, I GOT TO ABOUT 5 OR 10 MPH THE CAR JERKED FORWARD THEN STOPPED GETTING GAS. I PUSHED THE PEDAL AND IT JUST KEPT JERKING. IT WAS POURING RAIN OUT AND I WAS NOT NEAR A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER. I HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND CALL A TOW TRUCK. IT WAS HORRIFYING, CARS WERE WHIZZING …
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I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND I WENT TO EXCEL FORWARD, I GOT TO ABOUT 5 OR 10 MPH THE CAR JERKED FORWARD THEN STOPPED GETTING GAS. I PUSHED THE PEDAL AND IT JUST KEPT JERKING. IT WAS POURING RAIN OUT AND I WAS NOT NEAR A SHOULDER TO PULL OVER. I HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND CALL A TOW TRUCK. IT WAS HORRIFYING, CARS WERE WHIZZING BY AND I HAD MY 6 MONTH OLD SON IN THE CAR WITH ME, I WAS TREMBLING. ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO THE FORD STORE THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY. NOT ONLY DID I HAVE TO PAY 100 BUCKS TO GET TOWED, AND 100 BUCKS TO MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM AS THE DEDUCTIBLE, BUT I AM ALSO OUT OF A CAR FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 WEEKS. I STARTED DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLY TO FIND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I AM LIVID THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR A PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL AND THAT BY THIS POINT THEY HAVE TO BE AWARE OF. I SEE NOT REASON I SHOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURER CAUSED. NOT TO MENTION MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY AND WE RECENTLY RECEIVED ORDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED DURING THAT CROSS COUNTRY DRIVE? AT THIS POINT MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP, AND I AM LOOKING TO POSSIBLY JUST TRADE IT IN, I AM SCARED TO PIECES TO EVEN DRIVE IT AGAIN FOR FEAR THIS ISSUE WILL REOCCUR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
TWO WEEKS AGO I PUT GAS IN MY ESCAPE AND THE MILEAGE TO E READER DID NOT GO UP AFTER I FINISHED PUMPING THE GAS LIKE IT NORMALLY DOES. SO I PUSHED THE VAPOR RELEASE LOCK IN THE GAS CAP, AND IT WENT UP TO WHERE THE READER SHOULD HAVE BEEN, WHICH IM NOT SURE IF THAT IS VALID TO THE ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY ESCAPE BUT I JUST THOUG…
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TWO WEEKS AGO I PUT GAS IN MY ESCAPE AND THE MILEAGE TO E READER DID NOT GO UP AFTER I FINISHED PUMPING THE GAS LIKE IT NORMALLY DOES. SO I PUSHED THE VAPOR RELEASE LOCK IN THE GAS CAP, AND IT WENT UP TO WHERE THE READER SHOULD HAVE BEEN, WHICH IM NOT SURE IF THAT IS VALID TO THE ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY ESCAPE BUT I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD INCLUDE THIS JUST IN CASE. ANYWAY, LATER THAT NIGHT ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE GAS STATION IS WHEN I HAD MY FIRST INCIDENT WITH THE GAS PEDAL NOT WORKING. I WAS ACCELERATING UP A SMALL INCLINE AND THEN STARTING LOSING POWER AND SPEED. SO I PULLED OVER AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND IT WAS SPUTTERING SO I TURNED MY CAR OFF, WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND TURNED IT BACK ON. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF MY CAR WOULD MOVE AND IT WORKED FINE, AND I HAD NO ISSUES WITH IT UNTIL TODAY. WHICH LIKE I SAID HAS BEEN ABOUT TWO WEEKS SINCE THAT FIRST INCIDENT. THEN THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS ACCELERATING UP A SMALL INCLINE AND STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND SPEED, SO I PULLED OVER TURNED MY CAR OFF AND IT WORKED, I GOT ABOUT 2 MILES UNTIL IT DID IT AGAIN. SO I JUST PULLED OVER TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON AND TOOK OFF AGAIN. IT PROBABLY STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 30 MORE TIMES WITHIN A 3 MILE TRIP, AND I FINALLY GAVE UP AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR WHERE THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR. *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
3DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
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