Volkswagen Passat Complaints

7,897 consumer complaints on file.

#10189831May 4, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2003 VOLSWAGEN PASSAT HAD FAILED SOMETIME BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 23, 2007. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO FUNCTION. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $129.00 USING A REPLACEMENT BRAKE SWITCH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189585May 2, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BRAKE SWITCH LIGHT FAILURE. MY FIRST INDICATION OF FAILURE WAS THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR. I PUMPED THE PEDAL AND THIS EXTINGUISHED THE LIGHT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE NORMALLY FOR ANOTHER 500 MILES UNTIL I NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OUT. I THEN NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING AT ALL. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S. TO MY SURPRISE THOUGH THE PASSAT WHICH USES THE SAME SWITCH OTHER VWS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON HAS NO RECALL YET. THIS SWITCH IS A VERY DANGEROUS SWITCH AS IT DISABLES THE BRAKE LIGHTS PROVIDING NO WARNING TO ANOTHER DRIVER BEHIND THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189458May 1, 2007
TIRES:SIDEWALL
PIRELLI 235/40R18 TIRES ON A BRAND NEW 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (OEM TIRES) DEVELOPED A SIDEWALL BULGE (NO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING, NO POTHOLES, AND NO CURBS ENCOUNTERED). IN LESS THAN 4,000 MILES, THE TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES. MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL TIRES (FOUR SEASONS P6) HAVING SOFT SIDEWALLS THAT CAN RUPTURE, HOWEVER PIRELLI HAS NOT BEEN AT ALL WILLING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE TIRES. THEY CLAIM ROAD DAMAGE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO ROAD DAMAGE TO FOUND ON THE TIRE, OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON MY VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN AT HIGH SPEED, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF THE TIRE(S) WERE TO RUPTURE. THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189098April 27, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY
1) WYNCOTE, PA, APRIL 16, 2007, HEAVY RAIN 2) WATER ENTERS THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR FLOOR BOARD. ELECTRONIC MODULES LOCATED ON THE FLOOR AND WIRING HARNESS DAMAGED. VW DEALER CLAIMS TO NOT KNOW HOW WATER ENTERED MY VECHICLE. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE PROBLEM. VW CORPORATE SUGGESTS THAT IF I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR OIL CHANGES THE DEALER WOULD HAVE CLEARED DEBRIS FROM DRAIN HOLES AS PART OF REGULAR SERVICE. WITHOUT REVEALING MY CONVERSATION WITH CORPORATE I ASK THE DEALER IF THEY DO ANY CLEANING OF DEBRIS AT ANY POINT ON THE CAR DURING AN OIL CHANGE SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T. RESEARCH ONLINE REVEALS HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TELLING MY STORY. I HAVE ALSO FOUND INFO ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT BEING FORMED FOR THOSE WHO AGAIN TELL MY EXACT STORY. 3) VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO PAY FOR ANY PART OF MY DAMAGES. I HAVE RECIEVED NO REASON FROM THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND ASSUME THAT I AM IN FOR THE SAME DURING THE NEXT HEAVY RAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188849April 25, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IT WAS REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON, AND WHEN SHE ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE AIR PUMP AND FUSE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE RISK INVOLVED SINCE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,971 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75200. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188854April 25, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP. WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE REP AT THE DEALER SAID THE SEAT WARMER IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAD BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE SEAT. HE HAD SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE. BUT MY SEAT WARMER WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME. I DON'T NEED TO USE IT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEATHER. THE PROBLEM WILL NEED TO BE FIXED BUT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE TO COVER THE COST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188559April 23, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THIS REGARDS A 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T WAGON @ 97,500 MILES. BEGINNING 03/20/2007 THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING CHIME AND LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS. THE ABS AND BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY, BUT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY CAUSING THE WARNING CHIME AND LIGHTS TO INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND OFF. THE WARNING CHIME AND LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AGAIN AT LEAST ONCE DAILY, SOME DAYS REPEATEDLY AND AT RANDOM. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE IS $900. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET PROVES THAT THIS IS QUITE A PROBLEM WITH PASSAT AND COMPARABLE AUDI VEHICLES, MANY WITH MUCH LESS MILEAGE. I HAVE PLACED A CALL WITH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE MODULE. THE COST IS QUITE EXCESSIVE FOR A PROBLEM THAT CONTINUOUSLY CAUSES CONCERN FOR THE DRIVER AND IS A PURE ANNOYANCE. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188591April 23, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2003 VW PASSAT GLX 4 MOTION BRAKE LIGHTS STUCK ON, DRAINS BATTERY WHEN PARKED, UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS NO INDICATION OF BRAKING TO OTHERS. RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT ON OTHER MODELS, NOT THIS ONE. CLEARLY DEFECTIVE--MANY OTHER OWNERS AFFECTED. SEE MULTIPLE ONLINE SOURCES INCLUDING: HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=3196572 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188593April 23, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188342April 19, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTING FLASHING THE "ABS" LIGHT AND BEEPING LOUDLY, THE INFORMATION PANEL DISPLAYED "BRAKE FAULT", THEN "STOP" IN LARGE LETTERS. I CHECKED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL WORKED. THEN THE BEEPING AND DISPLAY MESSAGES STOPPED, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IN 98-01 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES STILL WORK, BUT THE ABS MAY FAIL TO ACTIVATE IN A PANIC STOP. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONICS IS $876, AND THE NEW UNIT IS NOT AS PRONE TO FAILURE AS THE ORIGINAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188197April 18, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED A MAJOR FUEL LINE LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A METAL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL EITHER CRACKED OR SOMEHOW BLEW A HOLE IN THE LINE. A HIGH PRESSURE STREAM OF GASOLINE WAS BEING SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THIS GASOLINE ERUPTION AS I WILL CALL IT BECAUSE THE WORD LEAK IS INADEQUATE TO DESCRIBE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE HOSE IN A LOCATION THAT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO A FUEL LINE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE FIREWALL. IT IS VERY VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS I TOOK. AK WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE I FOUND A GASOLINE MIST HAD COVERED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD I INITIALLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE BUT COULD SMELL THE GASOLINE INSIDE MY HOME SO I HAD TO MOVE IT OUTSIDE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A DEALER LOOK AT. HE INFORMED OF HE FOUND THE LEAK, I CAME INTO SEE THE LEAK BEFORE HE REPAIRED IT, HE STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND WITHIN SECONDS THE TOP OF THE ENGINE HAD GASOLINE SPILLING ON TOP OF IT. I TOOK SOME PHOTOGRAPHS THAT CLEARLY SHOW THE SPRAY OF GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER SAVE THE FUEL LINES THAT HE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE, SO I NOW HAVE THOSE AT MY HOME. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY THESE FAILED COMPONENTS AS WELL AS SEND IN THE PHOTOS. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND THEY EXPRESSED NO INTEREST IN TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS MAJOR FUEL LINE LEAK. THEY HAVE NOT YET CALLED THE DEALER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REPAIR, AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN ME SENDING THEM THE FAILED FUEL LINE PARTS. I AM APPALLED AT VOLKSWAGEN'S LACK OF CONCERN OVER THIS ISSUE. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT SAFETY NEEDS TO BE A TOP CONCERN FOR AUTO MANUFACTURERS AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS GIVING THIS INCIDENT THE APPROPRIATE ATTENTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, I WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY I CAN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188132April 17, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A CURRENT MILEAGE OF 52,000 MILES. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING, AFTER CHECKING THE FUSE THE CONTACT FOUND NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, LIVINGSTON VOLKSWAGEN, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE GOING TO THE DEALER, THAT IT WOULD BE FREE. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK HE WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187790April 13, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE SEAT HEATER THAT COMES WITH THIS MODEL CAR, SHORTED OUT WHILE I DRIVING THE CAR. IT BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT, MY TROUSERS AND BURNT MY WALLET. AT NO TIME WAS THERE AN OPEN FLAME. IF IT WASN'T FOR MY WALLET, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNT. IF MY PANTS WERE FLAMABLE, I WOULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE, DRIVER SIDE , HEATED SEAT AT NO CHARGE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187663April 12, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 7000 FAILURE MILEAGE THE BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT TURNS OFF, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, AND THE HORN DID NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY STILL COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,944. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187487April 10, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSSAT WAGON GLS WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 41,926 . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE, AND SOME FLUID SQUIRTING FROM THE BRAKE HOSE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD CONDENSATION BUILD UP WHICH WAS GETTING INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DUE TO THE CLIMATE IN WHICH SHE LIVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,400.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187319April 9, 2007
PARKING BRAKE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH KEY BECOMES STUCK AND THE GEARS MUST BE SHIFTED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, AND THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. ON APRIL 9, 2007 THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS, 10,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187088April 5, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS MODULE FAILURE. ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING AND 3 BEEPS INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR AWHILE IT MAY NOT COME ON FOR SEVERAL MILES THE NEXT TIME. BRAKING HEAVILY CAUSES THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. ALSO WHAT I THINK IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IS WHEN BRAKING HEAVILY WITH THE ABS LIGHT OFF CAUSES THE CAR TO SKID AND AT THE SAME TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AS THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT AND STALLS. IF ON A HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED THIS COULD BE DEADLY. THE REPAIR WILL BE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC MODULE. ADD ME TO THE LIST OF MANY WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND WANT TO GET A RECALL INSTITUTED ON THIS MODULE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186951April 3, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
MY VEHICLE, A 2003 VW PASSAT IS NOT CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN YOUR CAMPAIGN 07V063000. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED (AND CHARGED TO HAVE IT REPLACED) TWICE OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. I EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE CONSEQUENCES IDENTIFIED IN YOUR SUMMARY DESCRIPTION. MOST FREQUENTLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD STAY ON WHILE DRIVING, AS WELL AS WOULD REMAIN ON ONCE PARKED IN MY GARAGE. HOW DO I GET THE PASSAT'S INCLUDED? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186958April 3, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DASHBOARD SERVICE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, CAR BUCKED AND RAN ON REDUCED POWER ONLY. TOWED THE UNIT TO PATRICK MOTORS VW IN AUBURN MA. DX WAS IGNITION COILS AND PLUGS NEEDED. COST ME $365.00 TO REPAIR. I ARGUED THAT THE PAYMENT WAS ON THEM BASED ON THE FEB. 2003 VW SERVICE CAMPAIGN WHICH DICTATED THAT MY MODEL WAS INVOLVED IN DEFECTIVE COIL INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY. I EVEN CALLED THE VW TOLL-FREE CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR'S VIN FAILED TO MATCH THE DEFECTIVE GROUP. OBVIOUSLY I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE DEFECTIVE GROUP WHEN THE COIL COMPONENTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT 62000 MILES. I WOULD EXPECT SUCH A REPAIR AT 100,000 MILES. THIS UNIT IS A 1.8T 2003 VW PASSAT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186455March 29, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I OWN A 2000 PASSAT V6 GLX WAGON. IT HAS 94,000 MILES. THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO CERTIFIED IMPORT MECHANICS, WHO STATED THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR BRAKE FUNCTIONS. I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW ARE WE AS CONSUMERS SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN TO TAKE THE WARNING LIGHT SERIOUSLY? IN MY ONLINE INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY VOLKSWAGEN. THEY WERE CHARGED THOUSAND OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND VOLKSWAGEN NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE WARNING LIGHTS STILL POPPED UP RANDOMLY. CONSUMERS PAY FOR A FEATURE SUCH AS ABS BRAKES FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR OWN SAFETY, BUT THIS VOLKSWAGEN SITUATION WAS DISCONCERTING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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