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2020 Toyota RAV4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most RAV4 years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota RAV4 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 258.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

195 reports with mileage · 439 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.

  • Engine. Review the 180 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports5 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

634 reports
5,400 miles · Jun 25, 2020
Electrical System

I BOUGHT A NEW 2020 RAV4 HYBRID XSE IN JANUARY. TWO WEEKS AGO, I WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD LEFT IT PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE CAR LOCKED. THE CAR HAD 5,400 MILES. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO JUMP IT AND GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND HAD NO…

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I BOUGHT A NEW 2020 RAV4 HYBRID XSE IN JANUARY. TWO WEEKS AGO, I WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD LEFT IT PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE CAR LOCKED. THE CAR HAD 5,400 MILES. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO JUMP IT AND GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY SUGGESTED I WASN'T DRIVING IT ENOUGH ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330883

800 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Lane Departure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARKQUART TOYOTA (1844 COMMERCIAL BLVD, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI 54729), ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARKQUART TOYOTA (1844 COMMERCIAL BLVD, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI 54729), ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800.

NHTSA ODI #11330596

150 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUNLIGHT WAS REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME ON THE DASHBOARD, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VISION TO BE IMPAIRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUNLIGHT WAS REFLECTED OFF THE CHROME ON THE DASHBOARD, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VISION TO BE IMPAIRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE SIDE MIRRORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11330488

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2020
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V064000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LE MIEUX TOYOTA (2550 S ONEIDA …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V064000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LE MIEUX TOYOTA (2550 S ONEIDA ST, GREEN BAY, WI 54304) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11330344

59 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADAR ENHANCED CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADAR ENHANCED CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWIN CITY TOYOTA (301 AUTUMN RIDGE DR, HERCULANEUM, MO 63048) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11330342

795 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (NEW) ON 6/03/2020. ON 6/16/2020, WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT ON AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE WARNINGS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES, AND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DROVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTE…

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (NEW) ON 6/03/2020. ON 6/16/2020, WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WENT ON AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE WARNINGS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES, AND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DROVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, THINKING IT MIGHT BE A COMPUTER GLITCH IN WHAT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT TO "TEST" THE BRAKES. THE CAR STOPPED, BUT THE BRAKES SEEMED WEAKER. ULTIMATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER'S SERVICE REP CONTACTED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE BRAKE ASSIST ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. I ASKED IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD SEEN BEFORE AND HE SAID NO. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I DETERMINED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL WITH CERTAIN 2019 AND 2020 TOYOTA VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE 2019 RAV4 HYBRID. IN ADDITION, THIS DEFECT AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. I SUSPECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2019 MODEL YEAR. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE EITHER CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM OR CHECKED THE 2020 CARS SUFFICIENTLY TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE BRAKE ASSIST ASSEMBLY WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330262

50 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD (LESS THAN 1000MILES) AND I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK LID WAS CONSTANTLY POPPING OPEN. REALIZED THAT WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON OR OFF (VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP MECHANICS) THE GAS TANK FUEL LID WILL POP OPEN. SO, SOMEHOW THE POWER BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE CONTROLS MY GAS TANK LID. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH TOYOTA…

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VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A WEEK OLD (LESS THAN 1000MILES) AND I NOTICED THE FUEL TANK LID WAS CONSTANTLY POPPING OPEN. REALIZED THAT WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON OR OFF (VERIFIED BY DEALERSHIP MECHANICS) THE GAS TANK FUEL LID WILL POP OPEN. SO, SOMEHOW THE POWER BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE CONTROLS MY GAS TANK LID. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH TOYOTA MECHANICS FOR ABOUT 24HRS NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329686

7,300 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2019 WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND LEFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS WHEN ON UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT WHEN PRESSED AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS FADED AND THE CAR COMPLE…

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VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2019 WITH 7 MILES ON IT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND LEFT IN THE DRIVEWAY OVER NIGHT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS WHEN ON UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON, BUT WHEN PRESSED AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS FADED AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WERE IT WAS KEPT FOR OVER A WEEK. ALL TESTS CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327740

1,100 miles · Jun 6, 2020
Electrical System

THIS IS MY NEW CAR 2020 RAV4 XLE. I BROUGHT IT IN DEC 2019. ONE DAY I PARKED MY CAR IN EVENING AND NEXT DAY CAR DID NOT START (AFTER 3 MONTH OF USE WITH AROUND 1100 MILES ON IT). I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SEND PERSON TO TOW CAR. THEY DID BATTERY JUMP AND IT WORKED. AFTER THAT I HAVE MANUALLY TURNED OFF ALL THE LIGHTS INSID…

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THIS IS MY NEW CAR 2020 RAV4 XLE. I BROUGHT IT IN DEC 2019. ONE DAY I PARKED MY CAR IN EVENING AND NEXT DAY CAR DID NOT START (AFTER 3 MONTH OF USE WITH AROUND 1100 MILES ON IT). I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SEND PERSON TO TOW CAR. THEY DID BATTERY JUMP AND IT WORKED. AFTER THAT I HAVE MANUALLY TURNED OFF ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR TILL NOW(HEAD LIGHT IS AUTO MODE) AND HAVE NO BATTERY ISSUE BUT I STILL WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR?S ELECTRIC SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327550

34,000 miles · Jun 4, 2020
Air BagsCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED WAS STOLEN AND IN A SINGLE CAR COLLISION WITH A TELEPHONE POLE. EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE OCCURRED WITH NO DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327214

Official recalls

6

23V865000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Dec 20, 2023

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

20V734000 · Air Bags:frontal; Steering:column

Nov 25, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

Steering:column

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Toyota Avalon and 2020 Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. Breakaway pins within the steering column, designed to absorb energy and reduce injury during a crash, could have been damaged during production, possibly affecting the performance of the driver's air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not perform as designed can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB17/20TA17.

20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 4, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

20V373000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 24, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and 2020 RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Water may enter through the steering gear box cover and cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of power steering assist could increase steering effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear box, free of charge. The recall began August 17, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB11 / 20TA11.

20V286000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 20, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. The front lower suspension arms may have cracks, which may result in the suspension arm separating from the front wheel assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a suspension control arm breaks, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front lower suspension arms, free of charge. This recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's interim numbers for this recall are 20TB08 / 20TA08.

20V064000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Feb 6, 2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to leak internally and/or externally.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulting in an engine oil leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA04. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA02.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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