NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
32 reportsClear category filter79,800 miles · Jan 10, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR AUTO ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT GAS PEDAL PRESS. HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR. IN PARK POSITION, ENGINE DIRECTLY RAN TO 3000RPM. IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE SPEED 400RPM HIGHER THAN USUAL. SENT MY CAR TO 2 DIFF WORKSHOPS. NO VACUUM LEAK, NO DTC. CHANGED IAC VALVE. YET STILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. PROBLE…
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CAR AUTO ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT GAS PEDAL PRESS. HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR. IN PARK POSITION, ENGINE DIRECTLY RAN TO 3000RPM. IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE SPEED 400RPM HIGHER THAN USUAL. SENT MY CAR TO 2 DIFF WORKSHOPS. NO VACUUM LEAK, NO DTC. CHANGED IAC VALVE. YET STILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY. FAULT CAN BE RECOVERED IF DRIVE LONG TIME IN LOW DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559425
80,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD TAURUS ON JUNE 24TH, 2012. THE TAURUS WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND IT RAN WONDERFULLY, FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. HOWEVER, IN NOVEMBER OF 2012, THE CAR BEGAN RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, SOMETIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT COULD BE FIX…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD TAURUS ON JUNE 24TH, 2012. THE TAURUS WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND IT RAN WONDERFULLY, FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. HOWEVER, IN NOVEMBER OF 2012, THE CAR BEGAN RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, SOMETIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT COULD BE FIXED. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, NO MECHANIC IS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE REASON BEING THAT SINCE IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, NO ONE CAN DUPLICATE IT NOR IS THERE ANY SAVED CENSOR ABNORMALITIES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, HOPING THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT. SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN UP TO SIX TIMES IN ONE DAY WHILE I'M GOING AS FAST AS 50 M.P.H. I REFUSE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY LIFE SINCE THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL TURN BACK ON AND OTHER TIMES, I WILL HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RE-TURN ON THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND IS A DANGER TO MY WELL-BEING EACH TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I DO NOT BLAME THE DEALERSHIP FOR SELLING ME THE CAR; HOWEVER, I DO BLAME THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS AND VERY FAULTY PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND I URGE YOU TO TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY, FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHER FORD TAURUS OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531653
80,000 miles · Apr 1, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 5/7/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THE CAMSHAFT WERE ALSO REPLACED. UPDATED 06/10/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10505214
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2013
Power Train
2006 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 02/19/13
NHTSA ODI #10492621
120,000 miles · Oct 7, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
I OWN A 2006 FORD TAURUS SEL 12V, I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD (LIKE ABS, BRAKE LIGHT,) LIGHTED UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND THEN I LOST ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE BUT IN ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS LATER, THE CAR STARTED UP BY ITSELF WITH AN ABR…
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I OWN A 2006 FORD TAURUS SEL 12V, I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD (LIKE ABS, BRAKE LIGHT,) LIGHTED UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE AND THEN I LOST ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE BUT IN ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS LATER, THE CAR STARTED UP BY ITSELF WITH AN ABRUPT AND VIOLENT JERK FORWARD. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN QUICKLY BACK ON .. WHILE I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I NOTICED A WHOLE LOT OF WEIRD STUFF GOING ON. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIMMING IN AND OUT, THE LIGHT ON THE RADIO (THAT GREEN LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP THE CONTROLS) WAS ALSO DIMMING IN AND OUT, AND THE ODOMETER NEEDLE WAS JUMPING UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 0MPH AND 5MPH, THE RADIO WOULD MAKE A NOISE LIKE IT WAS SHORTING OUT THIS WAS DUE TO CAR ABOUT TO SHUT OFF SUDDENLY, THE CAR SHUT OFF WITH ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIGHTING UP AGAIN AND THEN QUICKLY SHUT OFF. I REPLACED THE BATTERY, CLEANED ALL BATTERIES TERMINAL AND ALL GROUNDS IN CAR CHASSIS ANY SUGGESTIONS, THANKS, *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479201
100,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HE HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HE HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10475596
74,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUMP THE GAS TO GET IT TO STOP REVVING. WHEN I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THE RPM'S GO TO 4,000-5,000. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS AND SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN IT IS WET OUTSIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472921
88,000 miles · May 26, 2012
Power Train
AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT I TRIED TO PROCEED AND, AFTER REACHING ROUGHLY 25 MILES PER HOUR, FORWARD PROGRESS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE REVVED FREELY. THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO ABILITY TO MOVE THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS AT A LOW SPEED AND COULD SAFELY GET OUT OF THE WAY OF UNSUSPECTING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A VE…
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AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT I TRIED TO PROCEED AND, AFTER REACHING ROUGHLY 25 MILES PER HOUR, FORWARD PROGRESS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE REVVED FREELY. THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO ABILITY TO MOVE THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS AT A LOW SPEED AND COULD SAFELY GET OUT OF THE WAY OF UNSUSPECTING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, OR ANY OTHER NUMBER OF DANGEROUS DRIVING INSTANCES, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOST DEFINITELY BE PLACED IN A SITUATION WHERE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH WERE POSSIBLE. FORD NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE TO PROBLEM AND OFFER TO REIMBURSE (FULLY OR PARTIALLY) THEIR CUSTOMERS. THERE IS A DEFINITE ELEMENT OF SAFETY TO THIS FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459749
106,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4000. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 4000. HE THEN DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AS THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES WITHIN ONE MILE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE BACK AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459689
130,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459619
NHTSA investigations
1PE12005 · Stuck Throttle
Opened Mar 7, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Vehicle Speed Control
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
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