Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
1325–50K
1550–75K
1075–100K
16100–150K
4150K+
69 reports with mileage · 105 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.
Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 29 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 reports20 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
174 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Electrical SystemVisibility
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL CAR. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS CAR BURNS OIL AT AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE. I CANNOT RELY ON IT AND DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN. I AM NOW KEEPING JUMPER CABLES IN THE HATCH BECAUSE OF CONSTANT BATTERY PROBLEMS. THE RADIO IS NOT WORKING.…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL CAR. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS CAR BURNS OIL AT AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE. I CANNOT RELY ON IT AND DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN. I AM NOW KEEPING JUMPER CABLES IN THE HATCH BECAUSE OF CONSTANT BATTERY PROBLEMS. THE RADIO IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED A REGULATOR (WINDOW) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T GET ME IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR 2 WEEKS - MY WINDOW WAS STUCK DOWN INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND WOULD NOT ROLL UP. THE WAITING TIME FOR AN APPT AT A DEALER SHOULD BE AN INDICATION THAT THE ARE NOT PRODUCING QUALITY VEHICLES. THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS TOO SHORT. THE PROBLEMS SEEM TO ALL HAPPEN AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. IS THAT HOW LONG THEY EXPECTED TO LAST - 2 YEARS?I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPOINTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744238
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER COMPLAINT IS THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG ON HIS VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 60 MPH. A PICK-UP TRUCK HIT CONSUMER'S CAR BROADSIDE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AN ENGINEER AT VW CLAIMS STATED THAT THE FORWARD MOTION OF …
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CONSUMER COMPLAINT IS THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG ON HIS VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 60 MPH. A PICK-UP TRUCK HIT CONSUMER'S CAR BROADSIDE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AN ENGINEER AT VW CLAIMS STATED THAT THE FORWARD MOTION OF VEHICLE LESSENED THE SIDE IMPACT ENOUGH THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #883771
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2001
Electrical System
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #742632
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2001
Seats
WAS STARTING TO APPLY BRAKES WHEN SEAT WENT BACKWARDS, AND DRIVER LOST VISIBILE CONTACT WITH ROAD. LATER, HAD SEAT CHECKED OUT, AND NOTICED SCREWS ON TRACK OF SEAT HAD BECOME STRIPPED. THIS WHAT CAUSED SEAT PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #882422
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesStructureVisibility
ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR PERIODICALY. ONE DAY THE GAS GAUGE WILL SHOW EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE ELECTRIC WINDOW WENT DOWN AND NEVER CAME BACK UP, THEY HAD TO REPLACE A SWITCH IN SIDE THE DOOR. THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS TO BE PULLED ON TWICE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN WHE…
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ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCUR PERIODICALY. ONE DAY THE GAS GAUGE WILL SHOW EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE ELECTRIC WINDOW WENT DOWN AND NEVER CAME BACK UP, THEY HAD TO REPLACE A SWITCH IN SIDE THE DOOR. THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS TO BE PULLED ON TWICE TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN WHEN RELEASED, YOU MUST PUSH THE BUTTOM AGAIN TO OPEN IT. AND THE REASON I AM FILLING OUT THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS BECAUSE THE CAR TONIGHT WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, THEN OFF, THEN DIM, THEN GO BRIGHT. (THE RADIO SHOWS ON ITS SMALL WINDOW THE WORD SAFE) THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT YOUR WEB SITE FOR ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS. THE CAR WILL BE HEADING TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
NHTSA ODI #741664
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSteering
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, AND SHAKE, SHOWED A SIGN OF VEHICLE LOSING POWER.ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PANEL, AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK ENGINE ALSO HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM THE START. VEHICLE HAS HAD COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRUNK AND FUEL RELEASE ACTUATOR…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, AND SHAKE, SHOWED A SIGN OF VEHICLE LOSING POWER.ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PANEL, AND VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK ENGINE ALSO HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM THE START. VEHICLE HAS HAD COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRUNK AND FUEL RELEASE ACTUATOR CABLE. STEERING RODS CAME LOOSE AND HAD TO BE RESECURED AND MOUNTING BOLT.. WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. *YH
NHTSA ODI #878900
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Tires
THESE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE TIRE AT 18,500 MILES. I CONTACTED PERELLI TIRE OF NORTH AMERICA. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A MISAPPLICATION OF THAT TIRE. VOLKSWAGEN ENGINEERS DETERMINED TGAT AN 89-LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY IS NECESSARY FOR A 1999 BEETLE. H…
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THESE TIRES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE TIRE AT 18,500 MILES. I CONTACTED PERELLI TIRE OF NORTH AMERICA. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A MISAPPLICATION OF THAT TIRE. VOLKSWAGEN ENGINEERS DETERMINED TGAT AN 89-LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY IS NECESSARY FOR A 1999 BEETLE. HOWEVER, THE TIRES THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAD INSTALLED ON MY CAR WAS RATED AT 82. PERELLI IS HELPING ME WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT IS CONCERNED AS TO HOW MANY VEHICLES HAVE TIRES INSTALLED BY VW UNSAFELY. HAVING CONTACTED SCHUMACHER VW OF WEST PALM BEACH,FL, THEY DENY IT IS THEIR PROBLEM AND REFUSED ME ANY RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER. PERELLI TIRE ND I FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE IT BECOMES A FIRESTONE/EXPLORER PROBLEM. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE EASILY REMEDIED BY SIMMPLE EDUCATION TO DEALERS WHO CARE ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS. THANK YOU. *AK (DOT NUMBER: ? TIRESIZE: P215/45ZR)
NHTSA ODI #738764
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIND OUT IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR OUR 18 YEAR OLD TWIN DAUGHTERS WITH SAFTEY IN MIND. WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS. PLEASE CONTACT US. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738296
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Electrical System
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH COMPUTER SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE AFTER REPLACING BATTERY. COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RECODED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS WARNING WAS NOT LISTED IN OWNER'S MANUAL WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875853
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2000
Tires
GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRE P205/55R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, DEALER REFUSED TO TALK TO CONSUMER ABOUT TIRE. *SLC
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN CRUISE CONTROL EQUIPPED MY 1998-1999 AND ALL MY 2000 AND LATER MODELS HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE REVISIONS.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES HIGH REPLACEMENT RATES OCCURRED IN VEHICLES BUILT WITH BRAKE SWITCH PART NUMBERS 1J0 945 511A AND 1J0 945 511B, THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REVISION LEVELS, RESPECTIVELY.THE FAILURE OF THE SWITCH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, OR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED.EITHER CONDITION RESULTS IN THE INABILITY OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORISTS OF VEHICLE BRAKING.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 03V-265, VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON ALL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001.ANY AFFECTED SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WITH THE MOST CURRENT VERSION, PART NUMBER 1J0 945 511D.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH USED IN NEW BEETLE IS ALSO SPECIFIED IN GOLF AND JETTA MODELS.ONE TYPE OF SWITCH IS USED ON CRUISE EQUIPPED MODELS, A SECOND TYPE IS USED ON NON-CRUISE MODELS.VW REPORTS 86 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND 2575 WARRANTY CLAIMS OF INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE BRAKE SWITCH.TWO OF THE VW COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FAILURES THAT WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI.ADDITIONALLY, OVER 100,000 BRAKE SWITCH SERVICE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER 4 DIFFERENT PART NUMBERS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.
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