NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
13 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Aug 7, 2025
Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who dia…
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The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #11679126
128,000 miles · Mar 17, 2023
Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V34000 (Steering). The manufa…
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The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering failure message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V34000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not repaired under the recall, and that the recall had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
NHTSA ODI #11512380
74,700 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND NE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. GRIFFIN PHILLIS FORD (PA-257, SENECA, PA 16346, (814) 676-9295) REPROGRAMMED THE STEERING THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES, BUT THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 24287519. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,700.
NHTSA ODI #11268631
76,000 miles · Mar 29, 2019
Steering
GOT IN MY CAR PUT IT IN REVERSE AND LOST POWER STEERING. FORD SAID ONLY SOME MKZ HYBIRDS ARE RECALLED BUT MINE ISN'T ON THE LIST. EVIDENTLY FROM WHAT I READ ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT SOME PEOPLE WAS A LOT LESS. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING AT THE TIME. WE LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME AND CA…
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GOT IN MY CAR PUT IT IN REVERSE AND LOST POWER STEERING. FORD SAID ONLY SOME MKZ HYBIRDS ARE RECALLED BUT MINE ISN'T ON THE LIST. EVIDENTLY FROM WHAT I READ ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT SOME PEOPLE WAS A LOT LESS. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING AT THE TIME. WE LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD THE COST TO GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO WILL CHARGE A FORTUNE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR A MONTH AGO USED AND NOW AM OUT THE MONEY I PAID FOR IT. I PAID CASH.
NHTSA ODI #11192479
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2018
Air BagsExterior LightingSteering
TAKATA RECALL. MY DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN REMEDIED. OFFER OF TEMPORARY RENTAL CAR NEVER DONE. DEALERSHIP SAS THEY DON'T HAVE ANY AVAILABLE TO THEM. I CAN'T DRIVE CAR. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? NEED HELP.
NHTSA ODI #11150015
62,000 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Steering
THE PROBLEM IS, EVERY TIME THEY REPLACED THE PART THE NEW PART WAS NO GOOD EITHER AND BROKE BACK DOWN TAKING OUT OUR POWER STEERING OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND 'INCREASING THE RISK OF ACCIDENT' LIKE THE RECALL LETTER TO FORD AND LINCOLN DEALERS SENT BY MICHAEL BERARDI SAID IT WOULD. I HAVE A COPY. THE RESPONSE AS CAN BE SEEN …
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THE PROBLEM IS, EVERY TIME THEY REPLACED THE PART THE NEW PART WAS NO GOOD EITHER AND BROKE BACK DOWN TAKING OUT OUR POWER STEERING OUT TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND 'INCREASING THE RISK OF ACCIDENT' LIKE THE RECALL LETTER TO FORD AND LINCOLN DEALERS SENT BY MICHAEL BERARDI SAID IT WOULD. I HAVE A COPY. THE RESPONSE AS CAN BE SEEN ENCLOSED REVISITED DAY ONE WHEN WE CALLED LINCOLN ABOUT THE RECALL, AND THEY TOLD US IT WASN'T UNDER RECALL. YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR OWN RECALL AND YOUR CALLING IT A WARRANTY. PART ONE OF THE RECALL REPROGRAMS THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE IF IT IS THROWING A CODE. SECTION 2 THEN KICKS IN, AND IF IN THE NEXT 100,000 MILES THE MODULE GOES WRONG IT GETS REPLACED AT YOUR COST FOR PARTS, LABOR, ETC. YET, NOT ONLY WAS I TOLD NO GO PAY FOR IT MYSELF THE FIRST TIME, NOW AFTER THE 6TH BREAKDOWN AND MY PLEA FOR HELP THEY ANSWER AS CLUELESSLY AS THE FIRST. THEY ARE ALSO ADDRESSING A RECALL AS A WARRANTY. NOR COULD YOU EVEN FILL IN MY VEHICLE TYPE WHERE THAT WENT WHEN YOU HAD ALL THE INFO IT'S A LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID
NHTSA ODI #11111632
61,650 miles · Jun 18, 2018
Steering
WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL WE DISCOVERED WHEN WE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ALMOST CRASHED. THE DEALERSHIP IS FIXING IT FOR THE 5TH TIME IN 6 WEEKS AND IT WON'T FIX. WE KEEP DANGEROUSLY LOOSING POWER STEERING. WERE MINISTERS AND SERVE AT OUR OWN COSTS WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE IN DANGER AND NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST …
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WE TOOK IT IN FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL WE DISCOVERED WHEN WE LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND ALMOST CRASHED. THE DEALERSHIP IS FIXING IT FOR THE 5TH TIME IN 6 WEEKS AND IT WON'T FIX. WE KEEP DANGEROUSLY LOOSING POWER STEERING. WERE MINISTERS AND SERVE AT OUR OWN COSTS WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE IN DANGER AND NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST OUR CAR. THEY WON'T STOP TRYING TO FIX WHAT CLEARLY THEY CAN'T FIX. WE FEEL THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE VEHICHLE. OUR POWER STEERING HAS NOW GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING 5 TIMES. IT'S DANGEROUS AND WE FEEL LINCOLN WHO INITIALLY SAID IT WASN'T ON RECALL WHEN WE CONTACTED THEM IS BEING IRRESPONSIBLE BY NOT PROTECTING US BY TAKING BACK THEIR DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS VEHICHLE THAT WE ARE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON. IT ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THIS
NHTSA ODI #11102367
45,000 miles · May 22, 2018
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE DEALER (GANLEY LINCOLN, 6930 PEARL RD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH 44130, (440) 845-6000) REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT SUSPENSION A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE DEALER (GANLEY LINCOLN, 6930 PEARL RD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH 44130, (440) 845-6000) REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES FAILED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THREE STEERING TSBS AND ONE SUSPENSION TSB WERE ISSUED, BUT NO RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REMEDY OTHER THAN SUGGESTING THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. *LN
NHTSA ODI #11097291
76,000 miles · Jul 20, 2017
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20-30 MPH ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARMAN FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 193 S DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720, PHON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20-30 MPH ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARMAN FORD LINCOLN (LOCATED AT 193 S DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720, PHONE: (302) 323-2300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED CASE NUMBER: CAS12753414. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #11006570
50,410 miles · Jun 6, 2015
SteeringSuspension
STARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS SO HARD I COULD NOT SAFELY STEER THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MARGATE LINCOLN, MARGATE FLORIDA) FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THE INCIDENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURES RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE REPAIR COVERAGE SO IT ONLY COST ME 100.00 AND THE PLAN PAID THE REMA…
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STARTED CAR AND STEERING WAS SO HARD I COULD NOT SAFELY STEER THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MARGATE LINCOLN, MARGATE FLORIDA) FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME THE INCIDENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURES RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE REPAIR COVERAGE SO IT ONLY COST ME 100.00 AND THE PLAN PAID THE REMAINDER. IF I DID NOT HAVE COVERAGE IT WAS GOING TO BE AROUND 2,000.00. I AM 73 AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR SAFELY AT ANY SPEED. I AM NOW SCARED OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN AND THINK IT IS UNSAFE TO ME, MY PASSENGERS AND THE GENERAL DRIVING PUBLIC.
NHTSA ODI #10723757
NHTSA investigations
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
EA12009 · Floor Mat Interference With Accelerator
Opened Dec 12, 2012 · Closed Jun 12, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
Vehicle Speed Control
On May 27, 2014, Ford Motor Company submitted recall 14E-028 (Ford recall #14S07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side Ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant (HAP) from November 9, 2007, to October 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (Figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.Both the single- and double-clip (Figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the accelerator pedal return to idle when the mats are not secured by the retention clip(s).Testing showed that this can occur if the mats are moved forward from the clipped position approximately two inches into a position in which the rear edge of the mats will abut the retention clip(s) when installed singly and align with the clip(s) when stacked on another floor mat.The pedal interference incidents reviewed by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) include 1 crash and 9 incidents with allegations of brake friction materials smoking and/or requiring repair for heat related damage.The crash incident occurred after the parking brake was applied at speed, resulting in loss-of-control vehicle yaw event caused by lock-up of the rear tires.The spin-out resulted in a side impact collision with an oncoming vehicle in an opposing lane of traffic. For the 29 incidents with sufficient information available to make an assessment; 23 (79%) were controlled by the driver either shifting to neutral, turning the engine off, or both; 4 (14%) were ended by the driver either kicking the pedal free (2) or pulling the mat away from the pedal (2); and 2 (7%) were ended by the pedal freeing itself from the mat with no apparent driver action.None of the drivers who reacted to the incident by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off reported any difficulties with either action.The subject mats were sold by Ford and Lincoln dealers directly to customers as an optional accessory equipment item or, beginning in November 2007, the mats were also available as a factory installed accessory if ordered with a new vehicle.Ford estimates that approximately 82,579 affected driver's side all weather floor mats were sold worldwide; either over the counter through Ford dealerships or as original equipment.Owners that purchased the subject all-weather floor mats as a factory installed accessory with their new vehicle will be notified to return their all weather floor mats to their Ford or Lincoln Dealership in exchange for replacement mats.Owners of all other potentially affected vehicles will be notified that, if they have an affected Ford driver's side all weather floor mat, they should return their mats to the dealership in exchange for replacement mats.The VOQs associated with the closing of this investigation are: 10327597, 10332233, 10334211, 10335336, 10339330, 10348772 (and duplicate 10342572), 10372674, 10379562, 10415911, 10426255, 10434107, 10521053, 10554966.This investigation is hereby closed.
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