NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
104 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Mar 8, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO THAT WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING, WOULD HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE IF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. NOW THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SHAKE AND MAKE NOISE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY RA…
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STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO THAT WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING, WOULD HAVE TO COAST TO THE SIDE IF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. NOW THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SHAKE AND MAKE NOISE, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY RADIATOR IS MAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT MAKES THE MOTOR QUIT AND LOSS OF POWER. I AM INFORMED THAT I NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SANE SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT'S SAFETY ALONE! I ALMOST HIT A CAR AND A PEDESTRIAN WHILE TRYING TO STEER OFF THE ROAD AND STOP. PLEASE HELP WITH A RECALL!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567930
109,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, TURNS OUT THE ATF WAS CONTAMINATED BY THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER AND OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING WORKED ON BY A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO THE TUNE OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOL…
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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP, TURNS OUT THE ATF WAS CONTAMINATED BY THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER AND OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING WORKED ON BY A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO THE TUNE OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CONTAMINATION RUINED AT LEAST ALL CLUTCH PLATES, THE BANDS, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566193
109,000 miles · Feb 6, 2014
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, RPMS WENT UP AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. DIAGNOSIS WAS NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS WITH LOW MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563270
106,673 miles · Feb 2, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIP. I HAD AAMCO AND NISSAN INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM AND BOTH COMPANIES DETERMINED THAT THE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562552
164,000 miles · Jan 31, 2014
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON HIGHWAY. CAR STOPPED WORKING GOING 65 MPH. RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562350
67,000 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Engine
PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN GUIDES COULD LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE DURRING USE AND INCURS EXPENSIVE REPAIRS WELL BEFORE THE END OF LIFE OF THE TIMING CHAINS WHICH IS MUCH LONGER THAN THE USEABLE LIFE OF A BELT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559327
80,600 miles · Dec 16, 2013
EnginePower Train
DRIVING SOUTH ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, OUR NISSAN X-TERRA WOULD NOT CHANGE SPEED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND IT APPEARED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT CHANGE. THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES, AFTER EACH INCIDENT WE HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. FINALLY AFTER THE THI…
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DRIVING SOUTH ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE, OUR NISSAN X-TERRA WOULD NOT CHANGE SPEED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR AND IT APPEARED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT CHANGE. THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES, AFTER EACH INCIDENT WE HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. FINALLY AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPT THE VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED. WHEN WE GOT HOME, I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE WATER. I CHECKED THE RADIATOR CAP, AND INSTEAD OF LIQUID THE MIXTURE SEEMED TO BE A CREME PASTE, LIKE IT HAD OIL. SEARCHING IN GOOGLE, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAIN NISSAN FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER TODAY AT BILL SEIDLE'S NISSAN IN MIAMI, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A CO-PAYMENT OF $2,500.00. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS, SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS CREATED BY NISSAN AND NOT BY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556238
96,347 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. MY TRUCK WOULD NOT START 8/26/13. I LEARNED THAT THE DREADED RADIATOR COOLANT LEAK HAD FINALLY DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION COMPUTER SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. I FIRST LEARNED THAT THIS COULD BECOME A PROBLEM IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS AT ABOUT 96,300 MILES. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP GAVE…
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I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. MY TRUCK WOULD NOT START 8/26/13. I LEARNED THAT THE DREADED RADIATOR COOLANT LEAK HAD FINALLY DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION COMPUTER SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. I FIRST LEARNED THAT THIS COULD BECOME A PROBLEM IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS AT ABOUT 96,300 MILES. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL, I DID AND WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT I COULD PAY $6000 OUT OF POCKET AND POSSIBLY BE REIMBURSED LATER AS MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT IN THE CURRENT LIST OF VEHICLES BEING OFFERED THE "SPECIAL WARRANTY COVERAGE". I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD I WOULD BE MAILED INFORMATION ABOUT ALL FUTURE MATTERS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT HAVE $6000 THEN, I DO NOT HAVE $3000 NOW. THAT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE DEDUCTIBLE THE NISSAN DEALER SAYS I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING IF NISSAN HONORS THE TIME I INITIALLY REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THEM. I NEED SOME HELP. MY HUSBAND IS ACTIVE DUTY NAVY AND I KEPT THIS VEHICLE SERVICED AND DID EVERYTHING I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THIS VEHICLE STAYED IN GREAT CONDITION AND NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS NO LONGER WORKING. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP US. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556001
99,950 miles · Dec 9, 2013
EnginePower Train
ON DECEMBER 06, 2013, WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, MY GRAY IN COLOR, 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, COMPLETELY LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER & FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS, SIMPLY REVVING OUT IN 2ND GEAR. IT SHOULD BE NOTED, MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA IS THE 4X4, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION & HAD AROUND 99,950 MILES AT THE TIME. THE INCIDENT PUT MYSELF, MY WIFE…
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ON DECEMBER 06, 2013, WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, MY GRAY IN COLOR, 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, COMPLETELY LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER & FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS, SIMPLY REVVING OUT IN 2ND GEAR. IT SHOULD BE NOTED, MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA IS THE 4X4, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION & HAD AROUND 99,950 MILES AT THE TIME. THE INCIDENT PUT MYSELF, MY WIFE, AND MY EIGHT MONTH OLD BABY GIRL IN DANGER DUE TO THE FACT WE HAD NO WHERE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY & WERE QUICKLY SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. THIS INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE FASTER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. IT HAS SINCE COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THAT IT IS CAUSED BY THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX WITH THE RADIATOR FLUID, EFFECTIVELY DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY WORK THE RPMS UP & GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT UP A FEW GEARS SO WE COULD MAKE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. I THEN CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUES AND HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MI. HE INFORMED ME THAT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION & THE RADIATOR IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $7000, HOWEVER, IF I WAS UNDER 100,000 MI, I WOULD ONLY HAVE TO PAY A $3,000 DEDUCTIBLE. BECAUSE I HAD PASSED THE 100,000 MILE MARK BY DRIVING MY VEHICLE BACK HOME, I WAS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY. I'VE OWNED MY NISSAN XTERRA FOR OVER 6 YEARS & HAVE MADE SURE TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE FACT THAT NISSAN IS NOT ONLY AWARE OF THESE ISSUES (WHICH HAVE ALLEGEDLY AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF NISSAN OWNERS), BUT ALSO THAT THEY HAVE FAILED TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION, IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE & ALSO DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. IT IS ONE THING FOR NISSAN TO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, BUT IT IS WRONG FOR THEM TO KNOWINGLY ALLOW THEIR PRODUCT TO PUT PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555389
100,014 miles · Nov 8, 2013
EngineFuel System, Gasoline
FILLED UP WITH GAS. DROVE APPROX. 5 MILES AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551565
Official recalls
3Oct 28, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. 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
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
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