Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
670–25K
7625–50K
8450–75K
5575–100K
65100–150K
25150K+
372 reports with mileage · 99 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.
Suspension. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports22 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
471 reports
68,000 miles · Apr 18, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL NOISE WITH EXTREME HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL NOISE WITH EXTREME HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER WAITING TEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10508651
125,000 miles · Apr 15, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS IN THE STEERING WITH A METAL TO METAL SOUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER REGAINED CONTROL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS IN THE STEERING WITH A METAL TO METAL SOUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER REGAINED CONTROL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FRACTURED STEERING ROD AS A RESULT OF RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10508254
67,300 miles · Mar 3, 2013
StructureSuspensionWheels
OBSERVED PIPE SUSPENDED FROM BESIDE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OF THE 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS A PIPE LINKED TO THE REAR WHEEL AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES. THE END OF THE PIPE WAS NEARLY DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. DID INTERNET RESEARCH CONCLUDING THAT THE BROKEN PIPE WAS THE REA…
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OBSERVED PIPE SUSPENDED FROM BESIDE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OF THE 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS A PIPE LINKED TO THE REAR WHEEL AND SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES. THE END OF THE PIPE WAS NEARLY DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. DID INTERNET RESEARCH CONCLUDING THAT THE BROKEN PIPE WAS THE REAR SWAY BAR OR TORSION BAR. PRIOR TO OBSERVING THE VISIBLE HANGING TORSION BAR END, WE FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE WHEN CORNERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED SUCH AS WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING A HIGHWAY RAMP. GIVEN THIS FREQUENT EXPERIENCE, THE ACTUAL FAILURE IN TORSION BAR FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH MAY HAVE OCCURRED MONTHS EARLIER. AFTER DETERMINING THERE WAS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN, AND ALSO NOTING THAT NHTSA RECORDS IN THIS DATABASE SHOW OVER 50 EVENT DESCRIPTIONS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO OURS, I WENT TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO ASK IF THEY OFFERED PAYMENT OR CREDITS FOR THIS REPEATABLE DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS NOT OFFERING ANY CREDITS. THEN, TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MASTER MECHANIC. HE PERFORMED THE SERVICE REPLACEMENT OF THE BROKEN SWAY BAR AND END LINK ASSEMBLIES. WE RETAINED THE BROKEN SWAY BAR IN HOPES THAT NHTSA BEGINS TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THIS "BAR" IS REALLY A 5/8" DIAMETER PIPE THAT SEARED NEAR ONE OF THE BUSHING SUPPORTS. THERE IS SURFACE RUST PRESENT WITHIN THE PIPE INDICATING THAT THE PIPE HAD FRACTURED SOME TIME EARLIER WITH WATER ENTERING THE FRACTURE CAUSING THE RUST. IT IS NOT A SOLID STEEL "BAR" AS TYPICALLY FOUND IN OTHER VEHICLES THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY. COST OF REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $200 FOR PARTS PLUS 1 HOUR SHOP LABOR. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FAILURE DUE TO ITS APPARENT COMMON FAILURE MODE AND FOR THE POTENTIAL RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE LOSE TRACTION ON CURVES OR ROUGH PAVEMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501124
86,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Suspension
REAR SWAY BAR BROKEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHILE WALKING UP OUR DRIVEWAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS HANGING DOWN ON THE REAR UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE REAR SWAY BAR HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN DRIVEN RESPONSIBLY. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN OTHER THAN FAULTY EQUIPMENT. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THIS…
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REAR SWAY BAR BROKEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHILE WALKING UP OUR DRIVEWAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS HANGING DOWN ON THE REAR UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE REAR SWAY BAR HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN DRIVEN RESPONSIBLY. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN OTHER THAN FAULTY EQUIPMENT. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS SO COMMON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500950
81,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Suspension
CAR FEELS UNSETTLED WHEN DRIVING ON CROSS WINDS, FRONT STRUTS JUST REPLACED, WENT TO GET ALIGNMENT, FOUND TO HAVE A BROKEN SWAY BAR (STABILIZER), ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500737
19,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Suspension
I DIDN'T NOTICE THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKE UNTIL MY HUSBAND WAS FOLLOWING ME HOME ONE NIGHT FROM WORK AND SAW THE RIGHT SIDE HANGING DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500686
75,000 miles · Feb 18, 2013
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
STARTING IN 2011 EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING WHICH DISABLED THE ABILITY TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO RESET THE LIGHTS AND BE ABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS BECAME MORE FREQUENT AS TIME WENT ON. NOW IN 2013 THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS BLINK 99.99…
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STARTING IN 2011 EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING WHICH DISABLED THE ABILITY TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO RESET THE LIGHTS AND BE ABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS BECAME MORE FREQUENT AS TIME WENT ON. NOW IN 2013 THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS BLINK 99.99% OF THE TIME AND CANNOT BE RESET BY TURNING VEHICLE OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL NOW DOES NOT WORK AT ALL EVEN ON THE RARE OCCASION WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT BLINKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498520
46,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Suspension
REAR SWAY BAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN IN HALF WITH THE RIGHT SIDE DANGLING DOWN AND DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE BAR OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE BREAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498202
47,000 miles · Jan 27, 2013
Suspension
WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN AND THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON 2007 ALTIMA'S BUT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494865
118,000 miles · Jan 24, 2013
Suspension
I WAS DRIVING AND KEPT HEARING NOISE WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO MY HOUSE TO PARK AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN MY TRUNK AND I LET IT GO ON, I FIGURE I WOULD TAKE IT OUT WHAT EVER IT WAS, WELL WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN MY TRUCK THAT WAS MOVING AROUND I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE REAR SW…
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I WAS DRIVING AND KEPT HEARING NOISE WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO MY HOUSE TO PARK AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN MY TRUNK AND I LET IT GO ON, I FIGURE I WOULD TAKE IT OUT WHAT EVER IT WAS, WELL WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN MY TRUCK THAT WAS MOVING AROUND I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE REAR SWAY BAR. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS COMMON IN 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA..BUT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. *TR
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Air Bags
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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
PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.
PE07026 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened May 22, 2007 · Closed Jun 27, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
NISSAN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY ON JUNE 18, 2007 THAT IT WILL RECALL (RECALL # 07V267) ALL MY 2007 ALTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE BUILT AT THE SMYRNA, TENNESSEE PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007 AND AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT FROM OCTOBER 30, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT (FOR EXAMPLE, A CIGARETTE ASH OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE) ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.IF THE AIR FILTER IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THESE DATES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIFFERENT AIR FILTER.NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL AIR FILTER AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT WITH IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS.ODI IS AWARE OF 26 REPORTS OF FIRE (OF WHICH THREE WERE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO BOTH ODI AND NISSAN) AND NO INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
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