NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
160 reportsClear category filter21,000 miles · Sep 2, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
TWICE ENGINE QUIT WHILE OPERATING WITH NO WARNING. ONCE AT 60MPH AND THE OTHER AT SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING AROUND. RESTARTED BY PLACING IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH START BUTTON WHILE STILL MOVING. 21000+ MILES. DEALER OFFERS NO EXPLANATION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. NO FIXES I HAVE BEEN ABLE…
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TWICE ENGINE QUIT WHILE OPERATING WITH NO WARNING. ONCE AT 60MPH AND THE OTHER AT SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING AROUND. RESTARTED BY PLACING IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH START BUTTON WHILE STILL MOVING. 21000+ MILES. DEALER OFFERS NO EXPLANATION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH HYUNDAI VEHICLES. NO FIXES I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND AND LITTLE SATISFACTION FROM THE MFR.
NHTSA ODI #11124003
67,430 miles · Jul 25, 2018
EnginePower Train
HIT ACCELERATOR AND WON'T SHIFT INTO GEAR, LOUD REVS AND THEN HEAR A BANG AND THE CAR JUMPS AS IT FINALLY SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF MY CAR AT RANDOM, I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, THEN LAST WEEK, I START TO LOSE POWER, AND SAME THING, IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME DRIVE. NEVER ONCE …
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HIT ACCELERATOR AND WON'T SHIFT INTO GEAR, LOUD REVS AND THEN HEAR A BANG AND THE CAR JUMPS AS IT FINALLY SHIFTS INTO GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF MY CAR AT RANDOM, I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, THEN LAST WEEK, I START TO LOSE POWER, AND SAME THING, IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME DRIVE. NEVER ONCE WHEN THIS HAPPENS DID I GET A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEN IT GOT SCARY AS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWNSHIFT WHEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON ITS OWN WHILE IN DRIVE. STILL NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAR FINALLY GETS BACK TO CORRECT GEAR RATIO FOR THE SPEED. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. NOW THE CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 4TH GEAR, NO 1ST OR SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA ODI #11113618
58,091 miles · Jun 23, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND OTHER FLUIDS. THE OIL WAS VERY LOW. I PUT IN A FEW QUARTS OF OIL IMMEDIATELY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE PROFESSIONALLY SHORTLY AFTER. I NOTICED THE ENGINE WITH HESITATE AND IDLING BECAME ROUGH. AT THE SA…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND OTHER FLUIDS. THE OIL WAS VERY LOW. I PUT IN A FEW QUARTS OF OIL IMMEDIATELY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE PROFESSIONALLY SHORTLY AFTER. I NOTICED THE ENGINE WITH HESITATE AND IDLING BECAME ROUGH. AT THE SAME TIME, THE FUEL MILES PER GALLON DECREASED DRASTICALLY.
NHTSA ODI #11103603
76,000 miles · Apr 20, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER HYUNDAI (1906,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED IT, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEN STOLER HYUNDAI (1906, 11275 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, (443) 249-8884) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT METAL WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CASE NUMBER: 11185417 WAS OPENED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #11089163
700,665 miles · Jan 18, 2018
EnginePower Train
MY HYUNDAI IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT , I'VE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERERS SUGGESTIONS . THE CAR HAD NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON OR WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THE NEXT DAY I START MY CAR AND IT'S MAKING A VERY LOUD TICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWLY LOSING POWER UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY S…
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MY HYUNDAI IS 3 YEARS OLD WITH 70,000 MILES ON IT , I'VE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERERS SUGGESTIONS . THE CAR HAD NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON OR WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THE NEXT DAY I START MY CAR AND IT'S MAKING A VERY LOUD TICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWLY LOSING POWER UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY STALLED OUT . I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE IT SCANNED , THE SCAN SHOWED THE EXHAUST SOLENOID HAS FAILED AND THE TIMING WAS ADVANCED , AGAIN THIS HAPPENED FROM THE CAR RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE ONE DAY TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN THE NEXT . SO THE MECHANIC TOOK THE SOLENOIDS OUT AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS COVERING THEM . I'VE SINCE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIE TYPE OF ENGINE IN THIS VEHICLE THE THETA 11 GDI 2.0T , WHICH HAS BEEEN RECALLED 2011-2014 MODELS . THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO HEAR THAT WITH A CAR THAT IS 3 YEARS OLD MY ENGINE IS NOW BLOWN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST , I STILL OWE A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR . I'VE READ THAT HYUNDAI KNOWS THESE ENGINES ARE FAULTY FOR HAVING METAL SHAVINGS IN THE CHAMBERS BUT YET THEY'RE STILL PUTTING THEM IN BRAND NEW VEHICLES , NOW I AM STUCK WITH A LEMON BASICALLY AND HAVE TO SHELL OUT 6 GRAND FOR ANOTHER ENGINE THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN AGAIN BEFORE IT'S PAID OFF . THIS CLEARLY IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE NOT THE OWNERS
NHTSA ODI #11063645
44,856 miles · Jan 10, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
STARTED THE CAR ONE MORNING AND IT RAN ROUGH. TURNED OFF A/C AND CAR SMOOTHED OUT. AS WE TURNED OFF OF OUR ROAD WE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 1MPH PER EVERY FEW SECONDS. WE PULLED OFF IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND THE CAR DIED. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED…
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STARTED THE CAR ONE MORNING AND IT RAN ROUGH. TURNED OFF A/C AND CAR SMOOTHED OUT. AS WE TURNED OFF OF OUR ROAD WE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 1MPH PER EVERY FEW SECONDS. WE PULLED OFF IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND THE CAR DIED. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS AND THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVING NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL PER HYUNDAI'S CORPORATE POLICY. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES ON IT!!
NHTSA ODI #11062031
32,000 miles · Aug 8, 2017
Engine
ENGINE SEIZED ON THE VEHICLE AFTER 32000 MILES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE DESPITE ADEQUATE OIL CHANGES OCCUR DURING WITH THE MOST RECENT 1 DAY PRIOR TO VEHICLE BREAK DOWN. WE HAD DROVE THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 20 MILES FOLLOWING THE OIL CHANGE AND WAS LEAVING FOR A FAMILY VACATION AND WAS LESS THAN…
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ENGINE SEIZED ON THE VEHICLE AFTER 32000 MILES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE DESPITE ADEQUATE OIL CHANGES OCCUR DURING WITH THE MOST RECENT 1 DAY PRIOR TO VEHICLE BREAK DOWN. WE HAD DROVE THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 20 MILES FOLLOWING THE OIL CHANGE AND WAS LEAVING FOR A FAMILY VACATION AND WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN IT BROOKE DOWN ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE BREAKDOWN OCCURRED. AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A SEIZED ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11013824
58,500 miles · May 7, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes
THE CAR STALLS AND COMPLETELY LOSES POWER. WE JUST HIT THE 62K MILE MARK. WHEN IT LOSES POWER EVEN THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK. WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE CAR JERKS. THE EXHAUST IS SMOKING BADLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND WITH MORE THAN ONE DRIVER.
NHTSA ODI #10983933
12,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10811713
7,000 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Engine
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CALL LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION. RPM GAUGE WAS HIGHLY ERRATIC AND PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR DID NOT RESULT IN INCREASED SPEED. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THE 2ND TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED, AS IT W…
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ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CALL LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION. RPM GAUGE WAS HIGHLY ERRATIC AND PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR DID NOT RESULT IN INCREASED SPEED. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THE 2ND TIME I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED, AS IT WOULD NO LONGER START. THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED BY A SPARK PLUG.
NHTSA ODI #10807659
Official recalls
2Sep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Jun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
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
3AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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