FIRST CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES U.S.A., INC. IN TORRANCE, CA. AND ADVISED THEM OF MY CAR TROUBLES PRIOR TO GOING TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I MADE THEM AWARE THAT I DO NOT TRUST DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND DOCUMENTED MY ISSUES WITH ENGINE/POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION THAT STILL EXIST TODAY AND BOT…
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FIRST CONTACTED TOYOTA MOTOR SALES U.S.A., INC. IN TORRANCE, CA. AND ADVISED THEM OF MY CAR TROUBLES PRIOR TO GOING TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. I MADE THEM AWARE THAT I DO NOT TRUST DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND DOCUMENTED MY ISSUES WITH ENGINE/POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION THAT STILL EXIST TODAY AND BOTH THE DEALER AND TOYOTA MOTOR SALES HAVE NOT ADDRESSED PROBLEM. ALSO, I STATED TO DEALER THAT THERE WAS LEAKAGE SURROUNDING THE POWER STEERING PUMP. DEALER WAS QUICK TO RESOLVE PROBLEM BY TRYING TO INDUCE ME TO HAVE PUMP CHANGED WITHOUT PERFORMING TRUE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES TO INCLUDE; FAILURE TO REMOVE FRONT R/H TIRE TO LOOK AT POWER STEERING PUMP FROM THE FRONT SIDE, FAILURE TO CLEAN POWER STEERING PUMP AND SURROUNDING AREAS TO INVESTIGATE TRUE AREA OF LEAKAGE. INSTEAD, DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE CONCLUSION THAT THE PUMP MUST BE LEAKING FROM PUMP SHAFT BEARING. COST TO REPLACE; $750.00 WHICH I DECLINED TO HAVE REPLACED. WITH THE VEHICLE UP ON JACK STANDS AND WITH TRUE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, I REMOVED FRONT R/H TIRE, THOROUGHLY CLEANED POWER STEERING PUMP AND SURROUNDING AREA AND STEERED LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT MANY TIMES AND CAN NOT LOCATE LEAK AT THIS TIME. COULD BE EVEN ENGINE OIL THAT DRIPPED DOWN OR PUMP HIGH PRESSURE LINE THAT GOES TO STEERING CYLINDER GEARBOX/YOKE AREA. AS FAR AS THE POWER TRAIN/ENGINE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE ALWAYS OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION. TO BRIEFLY STATE, THE ENGINE WONDERS (HI AND LOW RPMS) AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE IN WRONG GEAR. FURTHERMORE, THROTTLE RESPONSE IS MANY TIMES NON-EXISTENT. I DEPRESS PEDAL AND NO ENGINE RESPONSE IS FOUND. NEED TO FURTHER DEPRESS PEDAL FOR ENGINE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FACTOR AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. HAVE OTHER ISSUES NOT ABLE TO STATE BECAUSE OF YOUR LIMITED WORDS ALLOWED.
NHTSA ODI #10401756
47,900 miles · May 10, 2011
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL FRICTION LEVER SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. UPDATED 05/12/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10400410
23,000 miles · Feb 15, 2011
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCKING LEVER SUDDENLY DISENGAGES AND STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSES FROM SET POSITION WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS OCCURED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES IN LAST 1000 MILES. LOOSING STEERING WHEEL STABILITY HAS CAUSED UNSAFE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10382760
43,678 miles · Feb 3, 2011
Steering
TOYOTA AVALON LTD. 2005..STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL INTO POSITION "UP AND DOWN"..THE LEVER DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION AND EASILY OPENS AND THE STEERING WHEEL DROPS DOWN EVEN AS THE CAR IS IN MOTION...ALMOST LOST CONTROL AS I WAS DRIVING AS THE LEVER OPENED DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL DROPPED …
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TOYOTA AVALON LTD. 2005..STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL INTO POSITION "UP AND DOWN"..THE LEVER DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION AND EASILY OPENS AND THE STEERING WHEEL DROPS DOWN EVEN AS THE CAR IS IN MOTION...ALMOST LOST CONTROL AS I WAS DRIVING AS THE LEVER OPENED DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL DROPPED QUICKLY AS I DROVE THE CAR....WHEN I INFORMED TOYOTA OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER, THEY SAID IT WAS NO PROBLEM....I THINK IT IS............. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380164
34,000 miles · Dec 15, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TELESCOPIC STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LEVER THAT HOLDS THE STEERING W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TELESCOPIC STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LEVER THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL UP RELEASED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING AND IT HAPPENED A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
NHTSA ODI #10370767
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2010
Steering
JUST ADDING MY SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. THE LEVER AT THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT HOLD AND DROPS DOWN PERIODICALLY. IT HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS BUT THEY SAID "NO PROBLEM" OR EITHER "YOU HAD THE STEERING WHEEL EXTENDED TOO FAR FOR IT TO CATCH". I JUST REACH DOWN …
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JUST ADDING MY SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. THE LEVER AT THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT HOLD AND DROPS DOWN PERIODICALLY. IT HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS BUT THEY SAID "NO PROBLEM" OR EITHER "YOU HAD THE STEERING WHEEL EXTENDED TOO FAR FOR IT TO CATCH". I JUST REACH DOWN AND FLIP THE LEVER UP WHEN IT HAPPENS AND DRIVE WITH THE WHEEL IN CLOSER TO THE DASH UNTIL I CAN STOP AND SAFELY PULL IT OUT TO A COMFORTABLE POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES, PARTICULARLY WHEN I STOP. THE WHEEL JUST GOES TOWARDS THE DASH. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT BUT TOYOTA HAS NEVER SO ACKNOWLEDGED IT OR REPAIRED IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336127
85,000 miles · May 26, 2010
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN RETRACTING WITHOUT TOUCHING THE LEVER ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ONCE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON MONDAY 5/2/4/2010. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT TO SECURE THE STEERING WHEEL AND FASTEN THE LEVER.
NHTSA ODI #10332302
400 miles · May 4, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PLACEMENT LOCK UNLOCKED SUDDENLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PLACEMENT LOCK UNLOCKED SUDDENLY CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 400.
NHTSA ODI #10328817
52,024 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE RETAINING CLIP THAT HOUSED THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SHE ALSO NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE RETAINING CLIP THAT HOUSED THE STEERING WHEEL HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,024 AND THE CURRENT WAS 54,381. UPDATED 4/28/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL TELESCOPING FEATURE WOULD NOT LOCK AND MOVE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/06/10 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10318011
1,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND HE COULD NOT KEEP IT POSITIONED STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND HE COULD NOT KEEP IT POSITIONED STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE HE PURCHASED IT. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48000.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 LEXUS RX, AND MODEL YEAR 2006 LEXUS GS AND IS VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS LUBRICANTS FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 AND LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STEERING YOKE WAS NOT WELDED TO THE STEERING SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE YOKE MAY COME OFF FROM THE SHAFT, AND COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING YOKE AND SHAFT WELD CONDITION, AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 2, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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
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