THE STEERING WHEEL FRICTION LEVER SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COLLAPSED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. UPDATED 05/12/11 *BF
2005 Toyota Avalon
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Avalon years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avalon years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180 reports with mileage · 48 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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
228 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60-65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED BUT TO NO AVAIL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WOULD CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND EXITED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60-65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED BUT TO NO AVAIL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WOULD CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND EXITED AN OFF RAMP WHERE HE CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. BEFORE COMING TO REST RIGHT SIDE UP. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL INJURIES AND A FRACTURE TO BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS AND VERTEBRA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR MODIFICATION WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER IN APRIL 2010. UPDATED EVOQ 06/15/11.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND DECLARED A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT NO MECHANICAL FAILURE WERE LOCATED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND IN REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS SHE COULD BUT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR AN INSPECTOR TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER) BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN SHE WOULD DRIVE AND REMOVE HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER) BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN SHE WOULD DRIVE AND REMOVE HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN PROCEED AS IF IT WERE PULLING OR DRAGGING ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL ERROR ON THEIR END WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,200.
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: MASTER CYLINDER) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL THE REPAIR WOULD BE PERFORMED IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A RENTAL FOR THE CONTACT UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
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.
REAR STRUT MOUNTS ON MY 2005 TOYOTA AVALON FAILED AT 45,000 MILES. IT COST OVER $900 TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUTS AND MOUNTS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA WHO IGNORED MY WRITTEN COMMUNICATION FOR OVER 1 MONTH. I FINALLY RECEIVED THE STANDARD (OFF WARRANTY OF 36,000 MILES) RESPONSE AFTER I SENT AN EMAIL. *TR
Official recalls
716V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
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.
10V499000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Oct 21, 2010
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.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
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.
10V017000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Jan 21, 2010
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.
09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Oct 5, 2009
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.
06V096000 · Air Bags
Apr 3, 2006
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.
05V227000 · Steering:column
May 16, 2005
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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