NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,692 reports90,000 miles · Nov 17, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE (V6) HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, THE LIGHTS STILL WORKED, RADIO ON, POWER STEERING, BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST MY CAR ONTO A SIDE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT, AND NOTICED THE SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE TURNI…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE (V6) HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, THE LIGHTS STILL WORKED, RADIO ON, POWER STEERING, BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST MY CAR ONTO A SIDE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT, AND NOTICED THE SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE TURNING MY CAR OFF (WRENCH SYMBOL). I WAITED FOR A FEW MOMENTS, AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. TO MY SURPRISE, THE CAR STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT FURTHER ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP TO HAVE THE COMPUTER CHECKED TO SEE IF THE ERROR WAS STILL IN THE SYSTEM, BUT IT WAS ALREADY CLEARED. TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A VACATION WEEKEND, THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, EXCEPT THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, THREE HOURS FROM HOME WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT. TO SAY I WAS RATTLED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TURN THE CAR OFF, RESTART THE CAR AND REJOIN TRAFFIC. ROUGHLY 1 HOUR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND DROPPED THE CAR OFF FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THE ISSUE TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY, AND DETERMINED IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $375 AND 24 HOURS LATER THE CAR WAS FIXED. NO ISSUES AFTER HAVING THE CAR BACK IN MY POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS. I WANTED TO ISSUE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT, AND EXPRESS MY DISSATISFACTION WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR KNOWING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, AND DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON ISSUANCE OF A RECALL. THE DELPHI MANUFACTURED COMPONENT WAS KNOWN TO BE FLAWED, AND HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) 09-23-5, AND RE-ENGINEERED THE COMPONENT. I AM A LOYAL FORD DRIVER, BUT I FEAR FORD'S LACK OF ETHICAL CONDUCT ON THIS ISSUE MAY BE CAUSE FOR RECONSIDERATION OF FUTURE PURCHASES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552621
54,000 miles · Nov 16, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
WAS PULLING OUT OF GAS STATION TO MERGE ONTO BUSY STREET, CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD UPON ACCELERATION THEN LOST ALL RESPONSE AND LURCHED INTO ROAD STOPPING THERE. ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE, CAR WOULD REV BUT NOT RESPOND WITH ANY ACCELERATION. DURING THIS TIME INCREDIBLY LOUD H…
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WAS PULLING OUT OF GAS STATION TO MERGE ONTO BUSY STREET, CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD UPON ACCELERATION THEN LOST ALL RESPONSE AND LURCHED INTO ROAD STOPPING THERE. ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE, CAR WOULD REV BUT NOT RESPOND WITH ANY ACCELERATION. DURING THIS TIME INCREDIBLY LOUD HARSH SHIFTING OCCURRED , SOUNDED AS THOUGH TRANSMISSION FELL OUT OF CAR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY, CURRENTLY STILL INVESTIGATING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552531
48,220 miles · Nov 15, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
DRIVE SOUTH ON I-95 AT RUSH HOUR HEADING HOME. WITH NO WARNING ENGINE POWER JUST GOES AWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSH THERE WAS NO POWER FROM ENGINE, HURRIED AS IT SLOWED DOWN TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT. SHUT OFF ENGINE FOR 5 MINUTES STARTED IT UP AND ALL WAS GOOD. 2ND …
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DRIVE SOUTH ON I-95 AT RUSH HOUR HEADING HOME. WITH NO WARNING ENGINE POWER JUST GOES AWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSH THERE WAS NO POWER FROM ENGINE, HURRIED AS IT SLOWED DOWN TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT. SHUT OFF ENGINE FOR 5 MINUTES STARTED IT UP AND ALL WAS GOOD. 2ND TIME WAS LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE JUST FLUTTERED, SERVICE TECH STATED THAT THE CODES IN COMPUTER WERE THROTTLE ACTUATOR OPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552324
59,000 miles · Nov 13, 2013
Power Train
I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND AS I WAS TURNING MY CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 1-2 MPH I DROVE IT JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE (LESS THEN 100 FEET) AND AS I DROVE THE CAR JERKED. WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR SHOOK SO I TURNED IT OFF. THE LIGHT THAT CAME ON WAS THE THROTTLE/POWERTRAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552025
117,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 5TH, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 9PM GOING HOME. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT HESITATED AND STUMBLED. I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE SO I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A WRENCH SYMBOL ON THE DASH …
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ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 5TH, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 9PM GOING HOME. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT HESITATED AND STUMBLED. I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE SO I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A WRENCH SYMBOL ON THE DASH BOARD. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11TH, 2013 I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STUMBLED AGAIN AND THE SYMBOL CAME ON THE DASH. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED 5 MINUTES. IT STARTED UP AND DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES UNTIL TODAY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12TH, 2013. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR AND THE ENGINE STUMBLED AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITED 10 MINUTES AND THE CAR STARTED UP WITH NO FAULT CODE ON DASH. I DROVE HOME THE BACK ROADS. AFTER INVESTIGATING ONLINE I CAME ACROSS THE ARTICLE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING EVENT FOR THE FORD ESCAPES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551982
71,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN MY 2009 FORD ESCAPE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS. ENGINE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER WHILE COMING TO A STOP TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. ENGINE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551874
78,800 miles · Nov 8, 2013
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING AND VEHICLE KEPT ACTING LIKE IT WAS STALLING WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE. KNEW THAT THE GAS WAS NOT LOW, SO WASN'T SURE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. MADE IT TO DESTINATION AND CALLED MECHANIC. BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SHOP, STILL WITH INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING. RAN A TEST AND SAID THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WAS …
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DRIVING AND VEHICLE KEPT ACTING LIKE IT WAS STALLING WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE. KNEW THAT THE GAS WAS NOT LOW, SO WASN'T SURE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. MADE IT TO DESTINATION AND CALLED MECHANIC. BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SHOP, STILL WITH INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING. RAN A TEST AND SAID THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WAS STUCK OPEN - THIS HAS SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES. GOT IT FIXED WITH NO INCIDENTS, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551482
74,238 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Power Train
I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SLIGHTLY LUNGED FORWARD THEN I LOST ALL SPEED CONTROL. MY SPEED DROPPED RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE MY GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A SAFE PLACE TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. MY OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THE WARNING LIGHT (WRENCH) MEANT THERE WAS A THROTTLE CO…
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I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE SLIGHTLY LUNGED FORWARD THEN I LOST ALL SPEED CONTROL. MY SPEED DROPPED RAPIDLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE MY GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A SAFE PLACE TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. MY OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THE WARNING LIGHT (WRENCH) MEANT THERE WAS A THROTTLE CONTROL/POWERTRAIN FAILURE AND TO CONTACT A DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I WAS CONTACTED THE FOLLOWING DAY THAT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN, MILLENNIUM, WHICH I PURCHASED THROUGH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WAS NOT COVERING THE REPAIR BECAUSE THEY CATEGORIZED THAT PART UNDER "EMISSIONS." THAT IS RIDICULOUS. AFTER ADDITIONAL RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES INDICATING THIS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO FORD'S ATTENTION AND THEY HAVE YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PART ON THE 2010 FORD FREESTYLE....WHY AREN'T THEY TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR THE REST OF US? IT'S A REAL PROBLEM! THIS REPAIR AND SUBSEQUENT NEED FOR A RENTAL CAR HAS COST ME ALMOST $600 AND I'M SURE I AM NOT ALONE, BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551445
50,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LOST POWER UP STEEP HILL ALMOST RESULTING IN ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN HILL. CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY AND INTERMITTENTLY LOST POWER SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY INTO A MERGE SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551004
29,000 miles · Nov 4, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY THE ESCAPE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED. I COASTED TO THE RIGHT TURN LANE THEN STOPPED. TURNED THE ESCAPE OFF, WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TRIED STARTING IT. IT STARTED BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE ESCAPE TO CRAWL TO A PARKING …
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ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY THE ESCAPE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED. I COASTED TO THE RIGHT TURN LANE THEN STOPPED. TURNED THE ESCAPE OFF, WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND THEN TRIED STARTING IT. IT STARTED BUT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE ESCAPE TO CRAWL TO A PARKING LOT. I TURNED IT BACK OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES LONGER. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES, I TRIED STARTING IT AND IT SEEMED TO RUN JUST FINE. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, I HAD A REPEAT OF THIS. WE HAD THE REPAIR SHOP TOW IT IN, FEARING THAT IT WOULD DIE IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR DEALER SAYS IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550864
NHTSA investigations
3DP15001 · 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
PE13003 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Feb 21, 2013 · Closed Feb 28, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed.Ford described several factors where the ETB motor may fail resulting in DTCs P2111 or P2112 but the failure is not an existing stuck open or closed ETB valve position.According to Ford, the ETB control strategy provides the driver with three FMEM modes that allow varying degrees of vehicle mobility depending on the severity of the fault detected.DTCs associated with stuck open or closed throttle valves are designated the highest failure severity resulting in engine speeds limited to high idle corresponding 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.Other FMEM limp modes may result in reduced engine performance but will maintain vehicle speed above 20mph. During this investigation, Ford and its suppliers, Delphi and Igarashi, updated the powertrain control module (PCM) software to include a throttle body motor cleaning cycle during key-on and modified the ETB internal motor components design, surface finish and material composition to improve durability. Additionally, Ford developed a remedy procedure and issued a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 13N03 extending the ETB warranty coverage and instructing dealers to update the powertrain calibration to improve vehicle performance in the event that intermittent electrical connectivity of the throttle body motor contacts occurs. The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the program through January 31, 2015 regardless of mileage.Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail to take their vehicle to a Ford dealer who will reprogram the PCM to the latest calibration. The bulletin was sent to dealers on January 17, 2014 and the owner letter mailing began on January 27, 2014. See the investigative file for copies of Ford's bulletin and owner letter. This preliminary evaluation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that
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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