Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7425–50K
11950–75K
23375–100K
488100–150K
209150K+
1,211 reports with mileage · 183 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.
Suspension. Review the 459 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 434 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
40 crash reports20 fire reports20 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,394 reports
1,200 miles · Apr 9, 2005
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC IT SOMETIMES JUMPS AHEAD FOR SEVEARL FEET BEFORE I'M ABLE TO BRING IT TO A FULL STOP. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR TEN MONTHS AND THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN BRINGING THE CAR TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC IT SOMETIMES JUMPS AHEAD FOR SEVEARL FEET BEFORE I'M ABLE TO BRING IT TO A FULL STOP. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR TEN MONTHS AND THIS HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THEY HAVE TRIED BUT ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. BELIEVE ME, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PUTTING THE FOOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL, ETC. ETC. AT THIS POINT I'M UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROBLEM RESULTS FROM ACCELERATION FROM THE MOTOR OR SLIPPAGE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10116654
10,500 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE ACCELERATED CONSTANTLY. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES VERY HARD, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT HIGH RPMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10117496
1 miles · Apr 2, 2005
Suspension
BOUGHT A 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 11,312 MILES AGO. HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SIX TIMES BECAUSE IT KEEPS PULLING TO THE LEFT (INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC). THEY HAVE ALIGNED, OVER ALIGNED AND REPLACED THE TIRES. TO THIS DAY, IT STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. SINCE IT PULLS TO THE LEFT, A "HEAD-ON COLLISON" IS BOUND TO HAPPEN. THE FOR…
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BOUGHT A 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 11,312 MILES AGO. HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER SIX TIMES BECAUSE IT KEEPS PULLING TO THE LEFT (INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC). THEY HAVE ALIGNED, OVER ALIGNED AND REPLACED THE TIRES. TO THIS DAY, IT STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. SINCE IT PULLS TO THE LEFT, A "HEAD-ON COLLISON" IS BOUND TO HAPPEN. THE FORD DEALER, MAC HAIK, DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE OR HAS NO INTEREST IN FIXING THIS POTENTAL DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116254
9,000 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Power TrainCrash
WHILE PUMPING GAS AND PARKING IN FIRST GEAR VEHICLE ROLLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115885
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
Air Bags
DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF, THEN REMAINED ON THE DASHBOARD. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. HOWEVER, DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113699
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2002-2004 A RECALL …
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WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2002-2004 A RECALL WAS SENT OUT FOR ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS A 2005 MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2004 THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10111332
3,600 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Wheels
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME APART WHILE DRIVING, THUS CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AS WELL. NO CONTACT WAS WITH THIS CAR UNTIL AFTER PARTS CAME OFF THE ESCAPE, CAUSING US TO LOSE CONTROL AND CROSS THE CENTER LINE. THERE HAS BEEN NO REMEDY FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT ALL TO FIX MY CAR. FORD WILL …
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COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME APART WHILE DRIVING, THUS CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AS WELL. NO CONTACT WAS WITH THIS CAR UNTIL AFTER PARTS CAME OFF THE ESCAPE, CAUSING US TO LOSE CONTROL AND CROSS THE CENTER LINE. THERE HAS BEEN NO REMEDY FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT ALL TO FIX MY CAR. FORD WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP OR IN MANUFACTURING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113182
8 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Air Bags
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSORS FOR THE SEAT WAS RESPONDING INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY UPON IMPACT. OWNER STATES THAT THIS DEFECT OCCURS WHEN DRIVING AT 25 MPH OR GREATER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10113132
18,542 miles · Feb 21, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
MY WIFE STARTED OUR 2005 ESCAPE AND PLACED OUR GRANDAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT. MY WIFE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND WHEN SHE LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW, SHE NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE QUICKLY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, REMOVED MY CRYING GRANDAUGHTER FROM HER SEAT, AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. SHE E…
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MY WIFE STARTED OUR 2005 ESCAPE AND PLACED OUR GRANDAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT. MY WIFE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND WHEN SHE LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW, SHE NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE QUICKLY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, REMOVED MY CRYING GRANDAUGHTER FROM HER SEAT, AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT. SHE EVENTUALLY SUCCEEDED, BUT NOT BEFORE THE HEAT CRACKED THE MIRROR AND MELTED THE HOUSING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED (AND NOTED) THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE THE MIRROR MELTED AND STARTED THE FIRE. PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND SENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR REPAIR AUTHORIZATION. FORD RESPONDED WITH A LETTER TO ME, TITLED "GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS," AND DIRECTED ME TO SIGN IT BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE AUTHORIZED. I DID NOT SIGN THE LEGAL DOCUMENT, AS I WAS UNSURE OF THE MEANING OF ALL THE LEGAL TERMS. ON 18 FEB 05, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FORD MOTOR COMAPANY CONSUMER AFFAIRS CALLED ME. (VINCENT D. KIRKSEY) HE WAS VERY RUDE AND DEMANDING. HE BASICALLY TOLD ME I HAD TWO OPTIONS: EITHER SIGN THE FORM AND HAVE FORD REPAIR MY VEHICLE, OR HE WOULD RESCIND THE "OFFER" AND MAKE ME GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I ASKED HIM SEVERAL TIMES WHAT THE FORM WAS FOR, AND HE REPLIED IT WAS NECESSARY TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AND THAT IS WAS A POLICY OF FORD WITH THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. I TOLD HIM IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A THIRD OPTION - HE TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND USE IT - HE WAS RESCINDING FORD'S OFFER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED WITH MY FAMILY'S SAFETY - WE NOW DRIVE OUR 2005 ESCAPE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE VEHICLE - WE DO NOT WANT TO BURN UP OR HAVE OUR VEHICLE DESTROYED.
NHTSA ODI #10111894
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2005
Tires
THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT A FLASH WARNING SIGN APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE, AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2
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.
AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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