Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10503721March 20, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
CAR'S TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. CAR HAS DSG TRANSMISSION THAT IS SAME AS THE RECALL TRANSMISSION FROM 2009 AND 2010. SINCE THEN CAR'S TRANSMISSION HAS DISENGAGED AND THEN REENGAGED AFTER RESTARTING IT A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES SOME AT LOW SPEEDS AND SOME AT HI. CAR ALWAYS HAD LURCH WHEN DRIVING. A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS OVER 6000 COMPLAINTS AT LEAST REGARDING 2010 DSG TRANSMISSION FOR VW PASSAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502621March 13, 2013
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMISSIONS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP AND A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OIL EMITTED FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE EMISSION WORKSHOP LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAD NO ANSWER, AS TO WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONSUMER STATED IN DURING SOME RESEARCH, HE FOUND THE LIGHT WAS ON DUE TO AN OIL LEAK. ALSO, A PLUGGED PCV SYSTEM CAUSED EXCESSIVE INTERNAL ENGINE PRESSURE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502240March 10, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER FILLING MY VEHICLES GAS TANK AND I WAS SMELLING A POTENT GAS ODOR AND IT WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW MILES. WHEN ARRIVED AT MY HOTEL AS I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS, I PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WOKE UP THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR OF MY CAR. I CAN NO LONGER FILL THE TANK MORE THAN HALF WAY OR THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENS. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH NO OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501148March 4, 2013
SEAT BELTS
THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND THE BELT TIGHTENS AGAINST THE SEAT ITSELF. PASSENGERS USING THE CENTER BELT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RELEASE THE BELT WHEN FASTENED. AFTER THE BELT RETRACTS FULLY, THE SEAT BELT CAN NO LONGER BE USED. IF THE REAR SEAT BACK IS SUBSEQUENTLY "FOLDED" DOWN TO ALLOW FOR TRUNK ACCESS FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE FOLDED SEAT BACK WILL BE STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION DUE TO THE CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTING WITHOUT RELEASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500893March 1, 2013
ENGINE
CAR DIED AFTER GOING UP HILL AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN. HAD TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. WAS ADVISED OIL BOLT DISINTEGRATED AFTER OIL PLUG FILTER GOT CLOGGED. HEAD BLOWN IN CAR NEED NEW ENGINE. WAS ADVISED VW IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT CHOSE NOT TO FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500773February 28, 2013
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING A HOLE TO BE BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS CAUSED SCORCHING TO PANTS AND A MINOR BURN TO THE BUTTOCKS. A MODERATE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE BURNING SEAT AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SEAT CONTINUED TO SMOKE PROFUSELY; I SMOTHERED THE FIRE AND CONTACTED MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME TO CONTACT VW OF AMERICA; THE ENTIRE PROCESS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE HASSLE AND I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE WHILE VW OF AMERICA "INVESTIGATES" THE ISSUE. MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME; THEY BECAME EXTREMELY UPSET AND SCARED. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED PRIOR TO MY GETTING ON THE FREEWAY (I COMMUTE 45 MINUTES EACH WAY FOR SCHOOL). HAD MY SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE ALIVE TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE SURPRISE AND PANIC I FELT WHEN THE SEAT BEGAN TO BURN ME; TO CALL THIS A SAFETY HAZARD WOULD BE A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. THIS MALFUNCTION/DEFECT IS ONE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM AND/OR DEATH SHOULD IT HAPPEN UNDER THE ABOVE STATED CIRCUMSTANCES (HIGHWAY DRIVING, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HEAVY TRAFFIC). IT IS MY OPINION THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE TO PROTECT ADDITIONAL CONSUMERS FROM THIS HAZARD. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET WITH VW AND THE SEEMINGLY CASUAL ATTITUDE REGARDING THIS ISSUE; AS A CONSUMER I FEEL VW HAS A DUTY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS-A SEAT THAT CAN CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME IS A BREACH OF THAT DUTY. I FEEL THAT SOME WARNING, AT THE VERY LEAST, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE CONSUMER PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10500670February 27, 2013
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER CORE WAS BAD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INSIDE COMPUTER ALREADY AND PROBABLY ALL THE CARPET SINCE THE WATER HAS BEEN LEAKING INTO THE CAR. I SUFFER FROM ASTHMA AND CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR SINCE IT SMELLS LIKE COOLANT/MOLD AND NOT TO MENTION WATER LEAKING ON MY FOOT AS I DRIVE (VERY UNSAFE SINCE THE PEDAL GETS SLIPPERY.) I HAVE READ ONLINE ON MANY SITES THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THE OWNERS WERE NEVER NOTIFIED. I NEED THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS; EITHER I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR I END UP IN THE HOSPITAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GETTING BACK TO ME AND GETTING THIS MATTER FIXED PROMPTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499204February 19, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED HOWEVER NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498287February 15, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 47-50 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A STRONG HIT,AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME FROM THE REAR... THEN MY DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING AND ALL THE TRANSMISSION GEARS GOT LOCKED UP, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF, FUNNY THING IS THIS HAPPENS DURING SUMMER ONLY WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE OTHERWISE, I DON'T SEE IT... THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497969February 13, 2013
ENGINE
DRIVING MY PASSAT TURBO DIESEL ON I-81 NOTED A LOSS IN POWER; DROVE THE CAR HOME (ABOUT ANOTHER 3 MILES) AND NOTED A STRANGE HUMMING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NEXT DAY THE SOUND WAS STILL THERE, WITH A BLINKING GLOW PLUG LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SPOKE WITH DEALER AND CAR WAS TOWED IN; TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR WAS BACK WITH A NEW TURBO IN IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497983February 13, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS PRESSURE BUILDING UP IN THE OIL, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498037February 13, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CRASH FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL A SECOND TIME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE SCENE AND SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10497940February 12, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
OIL PUMP BOLT BROKEN AS IN THE OTHER VW PASSATS FROM 2006 & 7 AND REPORTED ON THIS SITE. DAMAGED TIMING CHAIN COVER, TIMING CHAIN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS. CAR WAS SERVICED AND INSPECTED 5,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY. ALL SERVICE UP TO THIS POINT COMPLETED PER OWNERS MANUAL AT VW DEALER. THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED EXTENSIVELY AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4321376-**OFFICIAL-24V-3.6L-ENGINE-%28OIL-PUMP-BOLT%29-FAILURE-THREAD** AS WELL AS HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/74-VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-B6-DISCUSSION/327507-3-6-OIL-BOLT-FAILURE-REFERENCE-MATERIAL.HTML. NOT ONLY IS THIS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND KNOWN PROBLEM INVOLVING FAILURE OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, BUT EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR $6300 FOR A CAR WITH 78,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON 3.6L V6S THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY VW OF AMERICA WHO REFUSED TO HELP EVEN COVER REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497621February 10, 2013
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FLASHING ENGINE LAMP/MIL LIGHT, VIOLENT SHAKING, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, FOUL ODOR, MISFIRING, PINGING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496613February 6, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN OF OUR CAR. THE SMELL OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS FULL OF GAS; OTHERWISE, WITH A HALF TANK OF GAS, THERE ARE NO ODORS. THE CAR IS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T 4MOTION WITH THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC. VW HAS MADE NO PROMISES TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496332February 4, 2013
ENGINE
I HAVE A VW PASSAT CC 2.0 TURBO 2009. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MILES WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR UNDER THE SPEED TO 30 M. ALMOST I HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER DRIVERS. I WENT TO VW DEALER AND THE PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE IGNITION COIL. THE VW WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DAMAGE AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BEING THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT OF THESE MODELS OF CARS. HERE I AM SENDING YOU A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2011/01/31/IGNITION-COIL-PROBLEM-IDENTIFIED-ON-NEARLY-500000-VW-PASSATS/ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495222January 30, 2013
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
THERE ARE 3 COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PURCHASED 2 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS IN 2009. ONE IS WORKING FINE EXCEPT WINDSHIELD TANK LEAK, AND THE OTHER ONE HAS THE LEAKAGE AND AT THE SAME TIME AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO RECALL THE OTHER ONE OF WHICH I HAVE REGISTERED WITH VEHICLE ID HERE FOLLOWED BY THE BELOW REASONS AND REQUESTS. 1. WINDSHIELD TANK LEAKAGE SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND IT NATURALLY LEAKED. 2. ON THE 17TH OF NOVEMBER 2011, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND EXHALED BLACK SMOKE AND I COULD NOT DRIVE ANY MORE. I DEFINITELY STOPPED AND CALLED A WRECK CAR AND WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPORTED AS STEERING COLUMN MODULE PROBLEM. (ALSO MENTIONED ABOUT INJECTOR ) 3. ON THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER 2012, I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND QUITE FAR AWAY FROM THE COMPANY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2011. I WAS LATE FOR WORK FOR SURE AND IT WAS ALMOST LIFE THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCE BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT. I CALLED THE WRECK CAR AND HERE IS ANOTHER REPORT FROM THE DEALER. "CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGH, SHAKING AND EMITTING SMOKE EXCESSIVELY: SMELLED OF FUEL: MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL NOT START. CHECK AND ADVISE. INSPECTED VEHICLE RETRIEVED P0300 RANDOM MISFIRE P0303 CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND P0087 FOR FUEL RAIL. NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST AND STRONG ODOR OF FUEL...)" 4. I HAVE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FOR 5 YEARS OR 60K MILE (WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST) AND THE DEALER FIXED 2 TIMES FOR FREE BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY. NOW EVEN THE WARRANTY IS BEING TERMINATED AND I HAVE NO OTHER WAYS TO SECURE MY SAFETY. FOLLOWED BY THE ABOVE REASONS, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHICH I HAVE PURCHASED IN 2009. WHEN I DRIVE THIS CAR, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND EVEN FEEL LIFE THREATENING DANGER WHILE I AM DRIVING BECAUSE THOSE MOMENTS IN THE PAST WERE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495065January 29, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR IT SHUDDERS SLIGHTLY AND THEN STALLS (REGARDLESS OF SPEED). TWICE AT LOW SPEED (15MPH MAX) AND ONCE AT HIGHER SPEED (45MPH). IN TRAFFIC THIS COULD MEAN A REAR END COLLISION. *TR BEFORE THIS HAPPENED THERE WERE A FEW TIMES ON THE ROAD WHERE THE CAR SHUDDERED AS IS IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495088January 29, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE, AND REMAINED ON AFTER TURNING OFF IGNITION. I INVESTIGATED PRIOR RECALLS AND SAW: REPORT RECEIPT DATE: FEB 20, 2007 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V063000 COMPONENT(S): EXTERIOR LIGHTING I WENT TO LOCAL VW FOR RECALL REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED IN 2004, SO THIS REPAIR WAS NO LONGER COVERED. ( I AM SECOND OWNER, SO COULD NOT CONFIRM.) A 2004 REPAIR ON A 2005 MODEL YEAR CAR FOR A RECALL ISSUED IN 2007? THE BRAKE SWITCH REPLACEMENT COST $176. IS THIS NOT THE SAME RECALL FAILURE AGAIN? I HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAIL, EXCEPT FOR THIS VW, WHICH AS OF TODAY HAS HAD THREE! (ORIGINAL, 2004 REPLACEMENT AND NOW 2013 REPLACEMENT.) IS THE RECALL STILL IN EFFECT? SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART REPLACEMENT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494812January 26, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
CEL 17887 BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. THIS CAUSES A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. HARD PEDAL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE BOOSTER FILLS WITH FLUID AND/OR DEBRIS CAUSING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THE BRAKE BOOSTER CAN NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THIS PRESSURE CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AT A REPUTABLE DEALER AND THEY VACUUMED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 GALLONS OF DIRTY LOOKING WATER. THERE IS STILL MORE INSIDE THE PART HOWEVER IT IS FROZEN DUE TO SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF ALL CLAMPS, HOSES AND OTHER PARTS THE MECHANIC ASSURED ME THERE ARE NO CRACKED HOSES, LOOSE OR BROKEN CLAMPS (NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BOOSTER IS FILLING WITH FLUID OR HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN). THE MECHANIC STATES THE FLUID/DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE BOOSTER. THE CEL HAS BEEN RESET AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED (YET). THIS IS MY 18 YEAR OLD SON'S CAR AND EVERY DAY HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE I FEAR THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE OCCURRENCE THE FIRST TIME. REPORTS I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS STATE THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL YEAR. WHY ISN'T VW BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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