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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 726.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,363 reports with mileage · 688 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 927 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 405 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

82 crash reports24 fire reports50 injury reports

Structure complaints

405 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2014
Structure

ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN TO VARYING DEGREES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THE DOOR HANDLE THAT IS MOST INTACT IS THE DRIVER'S HANDLE. IRONICALLY THIS CAR IS TYPICALLY ONLY USED BY ONE PERSON WHO USES THAT DOOR HANDLE. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. IT HAS BECOME A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR OUR…

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ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN TO VARYING DEGREES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THE DOOR HANDLE THAT IS MOST INTACT IS THE DRIVER'S HANDLE. IRONICALLY THIS CAR IS TYPICALLY ONLY USED BY ONE PERSON WHO USES THAT DOOR HANDLE. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. IT HAS BECOME A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR OUR FAMILY. MY HUSBAND WILL NOT TAKE PASSENGERS FOR FEAR THAT IF THERE WOULD BE AN EMERGENCY OR ACCIDENT HIS PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CARS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD ONE DOOR HANDLE BREAK MUCH LESS ALL FOUR. JEEP HAS MADE ME BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE WHEN I CONTACTED THEM. ONLINE SEARCHES MAKE ME BELIEVE OTHERWISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572971

95,025 miles · Mar 16, 2014
Structure

SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR DOOR HANDLES AND THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE BEEN CRACKED. OVER THE COURSE OF US OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST YEAR THE REAR DOOR HANDLES NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A NOT ONLY A PROBLEM BUT A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THERE WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE OR ANYTHING PEOP…

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SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR DOOR HANDLES AND THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE BEEN CRACKED. OVER THE COURSE OF US OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST YEAR THE REAR DOOR HANDLES NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A NOT ONLY A PROBLEM BUT A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THERE WOULD BE AN ACCIDENT OR A FIRE OR ANYTHING PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEATS WOULD BE STUCK IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE READ MANY, MANY SIMILAR ISSUES REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND HOW JEEP REFUSES TO FIX IT UNLESS YOU BUY A WHOLE NEW DOOR PANEL WHICH CAN BE UP TO $600 A DOOR. CHRYSLER SHOULD REALLY RECALL THESE VEHICLES, IT IS A TERRIBLE DESIGN AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572701

59,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED. THE OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE TO ENGAGE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED. THE OCCUPANTS WOULD HAVE TO ENGAGE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568170

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE , STRUCTURE) HAD SURPASSED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566789

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2014
Structure

ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE FALLING APART. ONE DOOR HANDLE IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AND AS SUCH THE PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS PRESENTS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE IS BARELY HANGING ON AND I FEAR THAT SOON I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE ANYMORE. CH…

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ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE FALLING APART. ONE DOOR HANDLE IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE AND AS SUCH THE PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS PRESENTS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE IS BARELY HANGING ON AND I FEAR THAT SOON I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE ANYMORE. CHRYSLER HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VERY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. PLEASE PRESSURE CHRYSLER TO ISSUE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE DOOR PANELS FOR ALL FOUR DOORS IS OVER $2,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566010

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2014
Structure

ALL 2 HANDLE'S ARE BROKEN AND 2 ARE CRACKED THIS IS A DANGEROUS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IF THEIR IS A ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID THE COST IS ON ME I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. AND I AM NOT ALONG I SEE AT YOUTUBE WHEN I WAS LOOKING HOW TO FIX THE DOOR, BUT WHEN I SEEN THIS HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=QSFRZ7…

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ALL 2 HANDLE'S ARE BROKEN AND 2 ARE CRACKED THIS IS A DANGEROUS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IF THEIR IS A ACCIDENT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID THE COST IS ON ME I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. AND I AM NOT ALONG I SEE AT YOUTUBE WHEN I WAS LOOKING HOW TO FIX THE DOOR, BUT WHEN I SEEN THIS HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=QSFRZ7CIBKY I SAID, WHAT! I NEED YOUR HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565709

100,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR KEEPS MOVING TO UNLOCKED, MAKING THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A CHILD COULD OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564802

113,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Structure

DOOR HANDLE ON 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO SEEMS TO BE READY TO BREAK ON DRIVER DOOR. I CAN SEE A SORT OF PIN CRACKING THROUGH THE DOOR ITSELF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. NOTIFIED JEEP DEALER IN CONCORD, NC AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY TO FIX THIS AS IT IS …

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DOOR HANDLE ON 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO SEEMS TO BE READY TO BREAK ON DRIVER DOOR. I CAN SEE A SORT OF PIN CRACKING THROUGH THE DOOR ITSELF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. NOTIFIED JEEP DEALER IN CONCORD, NC AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLY TO FIX THIS AS IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564800

80,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014
Structure

THE PLASTIC INTERIOR DOOR PANELS ARE BREAKING AT THE DOOR HANDLES. WHEN THE CRACKS PROCEED FAR ENOUGH THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE. ALL FOUR DOORS ARE BROKEN, THE DRIVER'S DOOR LEAST OF ALL. IT IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE BUT A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563123

106,550 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Structure

I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVER'S DOOR THIS MORNING AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN, HAD TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. AFTER OPEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT AND LATCH. THE PLASTIC ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR HANDLE IS CRACKED AND BAD. COMMON PROBLEM, CHRYSLER GROUP SHOULD RECALL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AMONG MANY GRAND CHEROKEES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562934

Official recalls

3

14V438000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Jul 21, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.

13V175000 · Electrical System; Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

May 7, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

05V396000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Sep 14, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.7L ENGINES AND NAG1 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CONDENSATE WATER MAY ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED TRANSMISSION OPERATING TEMPERATURES, BOILING OF THE WATER, AND A SUBSEQUENT PURGING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FOR LEAKAGE AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. IF NO LEAK IS DETECTED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF THE PRESENCE OF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE WILL BE EVALUATED FOR SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER ENGAGEMENT. IF NO SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE TRIPLE FLUSHED, AND NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL BE REPLACED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

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

1

PE14017 · Air Bag Non-deployment

Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Dec 23, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:module; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:ignition

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Electrical System:ignition:module

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703

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