Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2125–50K
5150–75K
8075–100K
146100–150K
84150K+
404 reports with mileage · 57 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.
Steering. Review the 297 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
461 reports
129,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Steering
"FORD POWER STEERING RECALL 2008 MERCURY MARINER" WHILE DRIVING, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" DISPLAYED ON MY CONSOLE AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER STEERING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I FOUND A RECALL LISTING IN 2014 #14S05 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. I H…
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"FORD POWER STEERING RECALL 2008 MERCURY MARINER" WHILE DRIVING, "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" DISPLAYED ON MY CONSOLE AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER STEERING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I FOUND A RECALL LISTING IN 2014 #14S05 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH FORD MOTOR CO. AND MY LOCAL.DEALERSHIO, THAT MY VEHICLE.DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A RECALL. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS FAILURE, NO ENGINE LIGHTS OR WARNINGS WE'RE ONPRIOR TO OPERATING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11150970
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2018
Power Train
NOV 1 2018 MY MERCURY MARINER PREMIER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY QUIT PULLING NO WARNING LIGHTS NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS IT NEVER SLIPPED GEARS JUST QUIT, I NOTICED AFTER LETTING IT SIT A DAY I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT WENT NOT EVEN A MILE AND QUIT MOVING THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL AND YR VEHICLE IN …
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NOV 1 2018 MY MERCURY MARINER PREMIER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY QUIT PULLING NO WARNING LIGHTS NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS IT NEVER SLIPPED GEARS JUST QUIT, I NOTICED AFTER LETTING IT SIT A DAY I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT WENT NOT EVEN A MILE AND QUIT MOVING THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL AND YR VEHICLE IN 2015 REGARDING TRANSMISSION ISSUES BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS
NHTSA ODI #11149857
25 miles · Nov 1, 2018
Steering
THE STEERING GEAR LOST ELECTRIC POWER AND WON'T START.
NHTSA ODI #11144794
130,000 miles · Oct 27, 2018
Seat Belts
DRIVERS BELT DOESN'T UNLOCK
NHTSA ODI #11143382
159,000 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Structure
THE TAILGATE HINGES ARE BREAKING THAT HOLD THE REAR WINDOW, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT AND COULD HIT ANOTHER VEHICLES WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, WHEN YOU GO TO DEALER THEY WANT 320.00 TO REPAIR AND SAY THEY SELL MANY OF THESE BRAKETS IT REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALL. W…
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THE TAILGATE HINGES ARE BREAKING THAT HOLD THE REAR WINDOW, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THE WINDOW WILL FALL OUT AND COULD HIT ANOTHER VEHICLES WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, WHEN YOU GO TO DEALER THEY WANT 320.00 TO REPAIR AND SAY THEY SELL MANY OF THESE BRAKETS IT REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALL. WE HAVE TWO CARS WITH SAME DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11141744
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2018
Steering
TAKATA RECALL THIS CAR HAD A RECALL IN 2014 ABOUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER IN 2016 THEY CHANGED THE PART. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM NOW THE STEERING COULDN'T MOVE WHILE I WAS DRIVING I ALMOST HAD A CAR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11141725
160,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAIL" WAS DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEAL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD MARINER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAIL" WAS DISPLAYED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (CAMPBELL FORD, 2801 S. ELEVENTH ST, NILES, MI) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN FEBRUARY OF 2015 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V284000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #11140300
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2018
Power TrainSteering
MY 2008 MARINER HAD A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING DEFAULT SENSOR. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THE ISSUE WAS RECALIBRATED IN THE ORIGINIAL RECALL BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN FORD WILL NOT FIX IT THEY DID NOT CHANGE THE PART TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ORIGINIALLY THEY JUST RESET IT ON THE COMPUTER. IT IS EXTREML…
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MY 2008 MARINER HAD A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING DEFAULT SENSOR. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THE ISSUE WAS RECALIBRATED IN THE ORIGINIAL RECALL BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN FORD WILL NOT FIX IT THEY DID NOT CHANGE THE PART TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ORIGINIALLY THEY JUST RESET IT ON THE COMPUTER. IT IS EXTREMLY HARD TO TURN, BUT I NEED THE VEHICLE FOR WORK. GOT REPAIR QUOTES AS HIGH AS $1500 TO REPAIR, MONEY I DO NOT HAVE.
NHTSA ODI #11138926
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2018
Steering
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR ON MY VEHICLE I PURCHASED FROM A USED CAR LOT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL "FIXED" WHICH FORD SAID WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN 2014. MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THIS SAME PART AS THE PROBLEM AL…
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THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR ON MY VEHICLE I PURCHASED FROM A USED CAR LOT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL "FIXED" WHICH FORD SAID WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN 2014. MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THIS SAME PART AS THE PROBLEM ALSO STATING IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, NOT JUST "SOFTWARE UPDATED" WHICH IS NOT WHAT WAS DONE IN 2014. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY "REPAIRED" IN 2014. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS YOUR STEERING WHEEL CAN SEIZE UP WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DO THEY NOT HAVE TO FIX A SAFETY RECALL? A SOFTWARE UPDATE IS NOT "FIXING" THE PROBLEM WHEN THE ACTUAL PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE HELP!!
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
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
2
DP15001 · Loss Of Power Steering While Driving
Opened Apr 1, 2015 · Closed Jun 14, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
On May 27, 2014, amended June 2, 2014, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect that may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving in approximately 746,067 model year (MY) 2008 through 2011 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with electric power assisted steering (NHTSA 14V-284, Ford 14S05). Ford's DIR described the defect condition as a poor signal to noise ratio [SNR] in the torque sensor within the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system [which] does not allow the PSCM to determine the driver's steering input. When the system detects this fault condition, it transitions the EPAS system to the fail-safe/manual steering mode.Ford's DIR indicates that loss of power steering assist while driving would require higher steering effort at lower vehicle speeds, which may result in an increased risk of a crash.Ford's remedy instructs dealers to check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the proper repair procedure. If no DTCs are present, dealers are to update the PSCM and instrument cluster module software. The updated PSCM software changes the torque sensor fault strategy so that the SNR condition does not result in a loss of power steering assist while driving.In addition, audible and visual warnings are provided for torque sensor faults.If DTCs indicating faults in the torque sensor, PSCM or Power Steering Motor (motor) are present in the initial recall inspection, the dealer performs the following repairs: 1) replaces the torque sensor for torque sensor faults (DTC B2278); or 2) replaces the steering column for faults related to the PSCM (DTC B1342) or motor (DTC B2277).Continued in attachment pages
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
2008 Mercury Mariner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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