Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
3425–50K
1850–75K
3375–100K
18100–150K
6150K+
151 reports with mileage · 37 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.
Service Brakes. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
188 reports
49,752 miles · Mar 14, 2006
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGE CLUSTER HAVE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND HAVE NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER GM TRUCK OWNERS AND APPARENTLY THIS AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE. SOME OF THEM WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE GOTTEN IT COVERED. I SEE FROM THE COMPLAINT SEARCH THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CO…
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SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGE CLUSTER HAVE WORKED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND HAVE NOW COMPLETELY FAILED. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER GM TRUCK OWNERS AND APPARENTLY THIS AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE. SOME OF THEM WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE GOTTEN IT COVERED. I SEE FROM THE COMPLAINT SEARCH THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HERE AS WELL. GM CHARGES AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS IT REQUIRES COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUSTER. IF A TOTAL FAILURE OF A CLUSTER INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER ISN'T A SAFETY HAZARD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152715
15,272 miles · Feb 3, 2006
Steering
CLUNK NOISE THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH STEERING COLUMN WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT AND IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURER HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND STILL HAS FAILED TO CORRECT IT FOR MANY CUSTOMERS. MOST DEALER SERVICE CENTERS TELL CUSTOMERS THAT THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF T…
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CLUNK NOISE THAT CAN BE FELT THROUGH STEERING COLUMN WHEN TRAVELING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT AND IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. MANUFACTURER HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND STILL HAS FAILED TO CORRECT IT FOR MANY CUSTOMERS. MOST DEALER SERVICE CENTERS TELL CUSTOMERS THAT THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM BY LUBRICATING THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WORKS FOR MANY BUT IS JUST A TEMPORARY FIX AS IT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY THAT THE PROBLEM RETURNS AND IN MOST CASES AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED RETURNING TO THE DEALERSHIP AS MANY AS 5 TIMES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149339
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2004 GMC SIERRA BRAKES FAIL WHEN THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND. *TS THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND GRIND WHILE BRAKING WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE BRAKES WORK PROPERLY ON DRY SURFACES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148666
45,000 miles · Jan 4, 2006
Electrical System
ON NOVEMBER 29 WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP MY SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OFF AND ON FOR 2 OR 3 WEEKS THEN STOPPED WORKING. AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP I WAS ADVISED THIS WOULD COST 500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS 10 2003 CHEVY TAHOE'S THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE…
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ON NOVEMBER 29 WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 GMC SIERRA PICKUP MY SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OFF AND ON FOR 2 OR 3 WEEKS THEN STOPPED WORKING. AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP I WAS ADVISED THIS WOULD COST 500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS 10 2003 CHEVY TAHOE'S THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS DEVICE MALFUNCTION. THANK YOU. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146891
65,000 miles · Dec 21, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
HEAD ON MID SPEED COLLISION WITH TREE- NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITH INJURY TO DRIVER-SOLE OCCUPANT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145869
1,534 miles · Dec 20, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainSteering
#1 04 SIERRA 4X4 RETURNED TO DEALER AFTER 2 WEEKS (9/18/04) WITH 1523 MILES FOR HARD SHIFTING. CLUTCH WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY FROM FACTORY. ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE POINT IN CLUTCH PEDAL TRAVEL IS AT FULL DEPRESSION INTO THE FIREWALL. #2 PASSENGER DOOR HARD TO CLOSE FULLY. DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLOSES AS EXPECTED WITH LITTLE E…
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#1 04 SIERRA 4X4 RETURNED TO DEALER AFTER 2 WEEKS (9/18/04) WITH 1523 MILES FOR HARD SHIFTING. CLUTCH WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY FROM FACTORY. ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE POINT IN CLUTCH PEDAL TRAVEL IS AT FULL DEPRESSION INTO THE FIREWALL. #2 PASSENGER DOOR HARD TO CLOSE FULLY. DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLOSES AS EXPECTED WITH LITTLE EFFORT. PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY WITHOUT UNDUE FORCE BEING APPLIED OR A WINDOW CRACKED. #3 RETURNED TRUCK TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP ON 9/15/05 WITH 8,190 AND AGAIN 12/15/05 WITH 10,282 MILES. FOR A KNOCKING NOISE DURING TURNING, CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING CORRECTLY, PASSENGER DOOR NOT CLOSING COMPLETELY, AND A NEW RATTLING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH A WHINE NOISE FROM THE GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE KNOCKING NOISE FROM A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING A STEERING BUSHING. THIS DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CLUTCH OR THE TRANSMISSION OR THE PASSENGER DOOR. NONE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE FIXED #5 I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE TRUCK TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AFTER PICKING IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 3RD OPINION ON 12/20/05 WITH 10,284 MILES. HIS OPINION WAS FLATLY STATED THAT THE TRUCK HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH AND THE TRANSMISSION. HIS EVALUATION WAS THE CLUTCH WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY AND DEPRESSION INTO THE FIREWALL WAS NOT CORRECT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS SYNCHRONIZER AND POSSIBLE BUSHINGS AND BEARINGS THAT WERE FAILING. HE STATED THE NOISES ALONE WERE DEFINITE INDICATORS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS AND THAT ANYONE WOULD KNOW THAT A CLUTCH IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE DEPRESSED INTO THE FIREWALL FOR PROPER OPERATION WHICH IN TIME WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. THIS EVALUATION COST ME $30 AND 3 HOUR LOST FROM WORK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10145693
13,996 miles · Dec 19, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE CALIPER, CAUSING A HOLE/LOSS OF FLUID, AND FAILURE IN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE, AND PLACED A RUBBER BOOT WHERE THE WEARING OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID DEFECT WAS A RESULT OF THE SUSPENSION MO…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE CALIPER, CAUSING A HOLE/LOSS OF FLUID, AND FAILURE IN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE, AND PLACED A RUBBER BOOT WHERE THE WEARING OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID DEFECT WAS A RESULT OF THE SUSPENSION MODIFICATION TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO STATED THE RUBBER BOOT WOULD NOT STOP THE WEARING, AND THE MODIFICATION COULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10145605
1,000 miles · Nov 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SLID BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10143650
50,461 miles · Nov 9, 2005
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK AT 65 MPH & GOES UP FROM THERE SO IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I CALLED GMC ABOUT RECALLS & THEY SAID THERE ARE NONE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142307
36,600 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Structure
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HOOD SPRING ON DRIVER'S SIDE FELL OFF. SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT NEXT WEEK. *AK THE BRACKET TO THE SPRING WAS LOOSE. UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
CERTAIN TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR MAY CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY DURING NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPEN, FRAGMENTS FROM THE ACCUMULATOR COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PEOPLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. THE PRESENCE OF THIS CRACK OR FRACTURED SURFACE COULD ALLOW THE HYDRAULIC FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE ACCUMULATOR CIRCUIT OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE LOSS OF FLUID WOULD CAUSE INCREASED STEERING AND BRAKING EFFORT AND A CRASH MAY OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FOR FUNCTIONAL OPERATION OF THE TWO-FUNCTION VALVE. IF THE HYDRO-BOOST ASSEMBLY FAILS THE TEST, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.
Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE CORRECTION FOR THE EXTENDED CAB VEHICLE WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO A SEAT THAT HAS CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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