NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reports156,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 35MPH AT THE TIME AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF THEN SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN CRANK BACK UP. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT CAM…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 35MPH AT THE TIME AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO CUT THE CAR OFF THEN SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN CRANK BACK UP. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE IT I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN I WAS STUCK IN THE ROAD THEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO CRANK BACK UP. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE HOME ONE DAY ON I-95 AS I WAS DRIVING IT STOPPED AGAIN WITH CRAZY TRAFFIC. AFTER THIS EPISODE WHEN I FINALLY MADE IT HOME I DECIDED TO PARK MY CAR FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL I CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST ME $2000 TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE THERE WAS A ALSO A LEAK WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE UNDER RECALL. I'VE READ A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR IN PARTICULAR THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. I CALLED THE FORD 800 NUMBER THAT THE MECHANIC GAVE ME TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPAIR THE THROTTLE FOR MY CAR THEY TOLD ME THAT ITS OVER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGIZE FOR MY INCONVENIENCES WHEN I WAS STOPPED ON THE ROAD, I AM CURRENTLY USING A BORROWED CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY LIFE IN JEOPARDY DRIVING THIS CAR UNTIL I AM ABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650542
90,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE COMPUTER MODULE BUT THE FAILURE PE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE COMPUTER MODULE BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10650458
147,000 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DUE THE LATCHES BECOMING FROZEN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE LATCHES WOULD FREEZE IN AN OPEN POSITION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DUE THE LATCHES BECOMING FROZEN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE LATCHES WOULD FREEZE IN AN OPEN POSITION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. PAM
NHTSA ODI #10643082
100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL AND THE FAIL SAFE ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL AND THE FAIL SAFE ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10641746
139,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
NHTSA ODI #10637220
96,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASION. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10637102
159,985 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Electrical System
WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THROUGH METRO CITY IN RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE.ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY HAD TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO EXIT;CAR LOST POWER AND MESSAGE CENTER SAID ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE.TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO EXIT;CAR HAD LOST POWER WITH NO ACCELERATION.WHEN I FINALLY GOT TO EXIT WAS DOWN TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628641
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT PUSHING THE PEDAL. I HAVE ALMOST HIT VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND MORE DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627983
177,320 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, THEN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION CENTER AND A LITTLE WRENCH WAS ALSO DISPLAYED. WITH NO POWER STEERING, I HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY IN LUNCHTIME TRAFFIC. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, I WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. NO PROBLEMS WITH …
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I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, THEN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION CENTER AND A LITTLE WRENCH WAS ALSO DISPLAYED. WITH NO POWER STEERING, I HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY IN LUNCHTIME TRAFFIC. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, I WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. NO PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A MECHANICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE AC. IT APPEARED, AT FIRST, THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD COME OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN I SUDDENLY REMEMBERED TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE RPMS SUDDENLY STUCK ON 3000 AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. ALSO, WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES AND STUTTERS SLIGHTLY WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN VERY SLIGHT INCLINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627611
150,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Power Train
TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH WE RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER ABOUT A FAILURE OF SOME SORT (I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT SAID EXACTLY NOW). WE LOST ALL ACCELERATION OF THE CAR. WE PULLED OVER AND LET IT SIT WHILE I LOOKED UP THE ERROR ON MY PHONE. I TRIED THE CAR A BIT LATER AND IT WAS FINE. THEN WE KEPT GE…
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TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH WE RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER ABOUT A FAILURE OF SOME SORT (I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT SAID EXACTLY NOW). WE LOST ALL ACCELERATION OF THE CAR. WE PULLED OVER AND LET IT SIT WHILE I LOOKED UP THE ERROR ON MY PHONE. I TRIED THE CAR A BIT LATER AND IT WAS FINE. THEN WE KEPT GETTING THE ERROR. I TOOK IT TO OUR FORD DEALER AND HE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY...THEN REPLACE IT A WEEK LATER WHEN THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. A ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER WE WERE GETTING ANOTHER ERROR ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. IT STARTED MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE. I STILL OWE 3200 ON THIS CAR,,.AND A NEW TRANSMISSION IS OVER 7K. SERIOUSLY?? I HAVE READ SO MANY POSTS ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION ON THE FIVE HUNDRED AND OTHER CARS FAILING. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR PASSING OFF SOMETHING LIKE THIS. NOW I HAVE A 3200.00 PAPER WEIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY....AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. THANKS FORD!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626874
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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
2PE11018 · Idle Instability
Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.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 May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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