Toyota FJ Cruiser Complaints

908 consumer complaints on file.

#10626498August 20, 2014
STEERING
I PURCHASED A NEW FJ CRUISER & PUT 5,039 ON IT & THEN INSTALLED AFTERMARKET WHEELS & TIRES. AFTER 2 WEEKS THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A SHIMMY IN THE STEERING AT 48 TO 65 M.P.H.. I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED 4 TIMES & THE TIRE SHOP ALSO REPLACED THE WHEELS WITH NO SUCCESS AT ELIMINATING THE SHIMMY. I REINSTALLED THE FACTORY WHEELS & TIRES BUT THE SHIMMY IS STILL PRESENT BUT NOT AS PRONOUNCED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION & FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR FJ CRUISER MODELS FOR YEARS. THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOW MANY OF THESES FJ CRUISERS ARE ON OUR HIGHWAYS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626404August 19, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR(SPEED LIMIT OF THAT PART OF HIGHWAY). I STARTED TO TRY TO DECELERATE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITH BRAKING, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGED, DEPRESSED BRAKE HARDER AND THE ABS STARTED TO ENGAGED BRIEFLY THEN STOPPED. I STARTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AND THEY FINALLY ENGAGED. I ALMOST FLIPPED THE VEHICLE OVER GOING AROUND THE TURN OF THE EXIT( WHICH I HAD ALREADY COMMITTED TO THE TURN) BECAUSE MY SPEED WAS TOO HIGH. IF THE BRAKES DID NOT CATCH AFTER PUMPING THEM, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND APPRAISED THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE BRAKING SYSTEM WORKED NORMALLY. NO CODES OF ANY PENDING OR PAST PROBLEMS IN THE COMPUTER DEALING WITH THE SYSTEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE AND I AM AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND I WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10622116August 13, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE
THE DESIGN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE FJ CRUISER (AND OTHER TOYOTAS) ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR DISEASE-CARRYING RODENTS TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CABIN. IN THE SOUTHWEST DEER MICE ARE CARRIERS OF ANTIVIRUS, A SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SPREAD VIA THE FECES AND URINE OF THESE MICE. (NEARLY 30% OF THE DEER MICE IN NEW MEXICO ARE INFECTED AND EVERY YEAR PEOPLE CONTRACT THE VIRUS USUALLY VIA SWEEPING MOUSE DROPPINGS WHILE CLEANING ENCLOSED AREAS. CHECK THE CDC WEBSITE.) BECAUSE THE MICE CAN EASILY ACCESS THE CABIN FILTER AND BLOWER THEY COULD SPREAD THIS VIRUS TO OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS AND DIRECTLY BY INFESTING THE INTERIOR. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS DEALT WITH MANY RODENT NESTS INFESTING TOYOTAS--SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE INFECTED WITH THIS DEADLY VIRUS. THECENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL DOCUMENTS THE SERIOUS THREAT OF ANTIVIRUS. I PARK A HONDA ACCORD AND A CIVIC NEXT TO MY FJ AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS INFESTATION PROBLEM. THE AIR VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD COWL AND ALL OPEN VENTS NEED TO BE SCREENED TO KEEP RODENTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UNDER WARRANTY TOYOTA SHOULD RETROFIT WITH SCREENING ALL ACCESS POINTS THAT ALLOW RODENTS TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10621871August 12, 2014
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY FJ CRUISER IS SHUDDERING. IT FIRST STARTED AT LOW SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, IT NOW DOES IT AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED (50 MPH). I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS MY TIRES SINCE THEY ARE 21 INCH TIRES. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP A FEW WEEKS AGO (AUGUST 2014) AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I THEN DID MY RESEARCH AND HAVE LEARNED THAT NUMEROUS DRIVERS OF THE 2007 FJ CRUISER ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, AND NOW THAT THE CAR HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ONE JUST NEEDS TO GOOGLE "2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER SHUTTERING TRANSMISSION" AND YOU WILL FIND CLOSE TO 60 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND NEEDS TO STEP UP. THIS FIX IS COSTLY... CLOSE TO $5000.00 TO REBUILD A TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10620736August 7, 2014
STRUCTURE
THE DRIVER FOOT REST (DEAD PEDAL) ON THIS CAR BRAKES LOOSE EASILY AND BECOMES A LOOSE OBJECT UNDER AND AROUND THE DRIVER FOOT PEDALS. I HAD MIND COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL I ATTEMPED TO STOP MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE THE BROKEN FOOT REST HAD LODGED IT'S SELF UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER BRAKING LOOSE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO SWERVE AROUND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, BEFORE STOPPING WITH THE E-BRAKE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10618025July 31, 2014
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET AND FELT A STRANGE BUT AND THEN A DISTINCT THUMP, THUMP,THUMP, SOUND BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEAL BUT THEY FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH ANY HELPFUL INFORMATION REGARDING ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE AT A SHOP ALREADY AND IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I ALLOWED AN OUTSIDE SHOP TO DO THE WORK. 1EA RING AND PINION GEAR SET, 1EA BEARINGS KIT, 1EA SEALS KIT, SYNTHETIC OIL, AND LABOR FOR A TOTAL OF $2002.20 I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE A VEHICLE WITH 41.000 MILES ON WOULD HAVE IT REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAIL IN THE MANNER THAT THIS UNIT FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10616526July 26, 2014
WHEELS, TIRES
NEW 2014 FJ CRUISER TRAILS TEAMS EDITION WITH BFGOODRICH T/A KO TIRES CAUSE VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10615644July 23, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN BRAKING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (ANYTHING ABOVE 60) THE CAR VIBRATES, MOST APPARENT IN BRAKE PEDAL AND SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. FIRST STARTED HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS WITH THIS PROBLEM, WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND CAME TO DETERMINATION THAT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE PREMATURELY WARPED - SOMEONE ELSE WITH FJ CRUISER HAD THE SAME ISSUE. VIBRATION WORSENS WITH HIGHER SPEED CONDITIONS. COULD LEAD SOMEONE TO LOSE CONTROL OF CAR OR HIT SOMETHING IN EMERGENCY BRAKING CONDITION. TOOK MY CAR IN FOR RECALL ON SEAT-BELT AND HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT THE BRAKES TOO. DEALER INDICATED THAT SUFFICIENT BRAKE PADS EXISTED AT BOTH FRONT AND BACK, BUT FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. I HAD FRONT BRAKE JOB (REPLACE PADS AND MACHINE ROTORS) AT A COST OF $249.77. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10599149June 18, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596405June 5, 2014
SEAT BELTS
DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL LETTER ISSUED BY TOYOTA CORP. I HAVE BEEN TO DEALER TWICE AND THEY SAY IT DOESN'T APPLY EVEN THOUGH IT DOES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594260May 27, 2014
POWER TRAIN
THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITH MY 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER (6 SPEED MANUAL) WITH ONLY 84K MILES. THERE IS THIS SQUEAKY NOISE COMING UNDER THE VEHICLE AND EVERY TIME I PRESSED THE CLUTCH ABOUT 1-2 INCHES THAT NOISE GOES AWAY. AFTER TAKING THIS TO THE MECHANIC WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE THROW OUT BEARING, AFTER MUCH INVESTIGATION I ALSO FOUND THAT THIS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL TRANSMISSION. AND MORE THAN 65% DRIVER HAVE THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST. I HAVE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA OF NORTH AMERICA HQ AND THEY BLUNTLY REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF IT, AND ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT A BIG ISSUE. TOYOTA FORUM OR EVEN A SIMPLE SEARCH FROM THE WEBSITE WILL EXPLAIN THAT HOW MUCH OF A ISSUE IS THIS WITH CONSUMER WHO OWNS THIS TYPE TRANSMISSION. I URGE NHTSA TO ADDRESS TOYOTA TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MAJOR PROBLEM AND RECALL ALL OF THIS FOR CONSUMER NEEDS. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588890May 16, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE INNER FENDER OF MY 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER HAS DEVELOPED A NOTICEABLE TEAR, BETWEEN THE DESIGNED SAFETY CRUMPLE ZONES. THIS AREA IS OBVIOUSLY NOT STURDY ENOUGH TO SUPPORT NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS OVER TIME. ONCE THIS WEAK POINT IN THE INNER FENDER TORE, IT DISTORTED THE OUTSIDE FENDER DISTANCE (GAPS) BETWEEN THE FENDER AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I FIND THIS TEAR TO BE AN ALARMING ALTERATION IN MY FJ CRUISER AND I WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS COMMON AND IF A FIX HAS BEEN DISCOVERED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585815May 1, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER WITH 95K MILES ON IT. ALL WAS FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH UNTIL I STARTED EXPERIENCING UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATING AND RPM SURGING WHEN DRIVING BELOW 30 MPH AND REGULARLY WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT'S NOT A HUGE REV, BUT RATHER THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY RISE FROM NORMAL IDLE RPM TO ABOUT 1300 RPM, THEN BACK DOWN AGAIN. I CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION GRABBING AND I HAVE TO KEEP THE BRAKE DEPRESSED TO KEEP FROM TAKING OFF. THE SURGE GENERALLY LASTS FOR LESS THAN 10 SECONDS AND THEN GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT TIME. I CAN GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM (AT A STOP, IN GEAR) ALMOST ANYTIME. IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION AND HAPPEN TO LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD START TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. I FEAR THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SOMEDAY, AND SOMEONE COULD GET HURT OR KILLED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAYS THAT HE CAN'T QUITE FIGURE IT OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10578751April 9, 2014
SEATS
UPON OPENING THE CAR DOOR ON THE MORNING OF 4/7/14, I DISCOVERED THAT SOMETIME BETWEEN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF APRIL 5 AND THE MORNING OF APRIL 7 THE INTERIOR CAUGHT FIRE. IT HAD BURNED ITSELF OUT BY THE TIME I DISCOVERED IT. DAMAGE TO THE 2 FRONT SEATS, THE CENTER CONSOLE AND ALL 4 WINDOW VISORS. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IS COVERED WITH BLACK RESIDUE. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN OR NEAR THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE 2 FRONT SEATS. THERE IS NO ELECTRICAL INPUTS IN THIS AREA (I.E. MP3 SLOT, ETC). THERE WERE NO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS PRESENT THAT TO MY KNOWLEDGE COULD HAVE IGNITED. CAUSE OF FIRE UNKNOWN. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10578016April 7, 2014
STEERING
AS TOYOTA AND MANY, MANY FJ CRUISER OWNERS ARE WELL-AWARE, THERE IS A STEERING VIBRATION ISSUE THAT OCCURS SOMEWHERE IN THE 55-65 MPH RANGE THAT CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH PRETTY VIOLENTLY. AS ONE OF THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS STATED, THERE IS A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY OF FJ CRUISER OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS THAT ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM...BUT I DON'T THINK THEY'RE AWARE OF THIS COMPLAINT PROCESS OR HAVE THE TIME TO DO IT, OR SOMETHING. I'M USING AFTER-MARKET WHEELS AND TIRES THAT WERE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED BY VERY COMPETENT PEOPLE, SO I'M VERY CONFIDENT IT'S NOT AN ISSUE WITH MY WHEELS OR TIRES. I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO OTHER COMPLAINTS AND SAY THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574293March 23, 2014
SEATS
THE DRIVERS SEAT SINKS/FALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BASED UPON DRIVERS WEIGHT, VEHICLE SPEED AND LOAD, DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. AS THE SEAT FALLS, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENS. THE SEAT FALLS AT AN ANGLE DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FOOT CONTROLS MAKING DRIVING UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA IN NORTH HILLS, CALIFORNIA, AND TO FRONTIER TOYOTA IN VALENCIA, CALIFORNIA. I HAVE MET WITH SERVICE MANAGERS AND CUSTOMERS RELATIONS MANAGER. AT BOTH LOCATIONS, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON TO TOYOTA FJ CRUISERS FROM 2007 TO CURRENT, BUT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. ON THE FJ CRUISER FORUMS/BLOGS, FJ CRUISER OWNERS REFER TO IT AS THE "SINKING SEAT SYNDROME." I MET WITH TOYOTA MANAGEMENT STAFF, KAYLA SULLIVAN, WHO SAID TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE SEAT MALFUNCTION PROBLEM WITH FJ CRUISERS BUT THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. [XXX] ADMITTED THAT TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. SHE SAID TOYOTA HAD REPLACED ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLIES IN THE PAST BUT THAT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE SEAT IN MY VEHICLE TO BE REPLACED WITH AN EXACT PART THAT IS KNOWN TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS KISSED OFF. I ENTERED INTO THE PROCESS WITH CALIFORNIA DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM WHO DENIED MY REQUEST TO HAVE TOYOTA TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW. CDSP STATED THAT THE SEAT MALFUNCTION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND EXAMINED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THUS COULD NOT BE EVALUATED. I WAS KISSED OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS PAID OFF, WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND TOYOTA MOTORS BOTH ADMITTED KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEAT MALFUNCTION WAS COMMON TO TOYOTA FJ CRUISERS FROM 2007 TO PRESENT. THE MALFUNCTION IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572632March 16, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
THE DEALER DID REPLACE MY MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PRESSURE PUMP AFTER THE EXPERIENCE WITH THE ABS ISSUES AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, THIS WAS WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT SEEMED TO FIX THE ABS PROBLEM WITH THE LONG PULSING AND BASICALLY THE COMPUTER TAKING OVER THE BRAKING. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A MUSHY PEDAL AND LACK OF BRAKING WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME OR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. HOWEVER AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH AND PAYING ATTENTION TO THE SYMPTOMS, I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A PRESSURE AND HEAT PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY ON A 5700 LB VEHICLE THAT THEY ARE USING CERAMIC PADS, DOT 3 FLUID AND THIS PRESSURE SYSTEM, IT JUST CAN'T HANDLE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569060March 13, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ISOLATED EVENT CAUSED BY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568859March 12, 2014
SEAT BELTS
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT. TOYOTA SAYS THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT AND RETRACTOR NEEDS REPLACING DUE TO RUSTING OF SPRINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RETRACTOR. THE TRUCK HAS LOW MILES, IS 7 YEARS OLD AND STORED/DRIVEN IN A WARM, DRY AND INLAND CLIMATE. THERE IS NO REASON FOR RUSTING PARTS. A QUICK SEARCH REVEALS OTHER FJ CRUISERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE CONCERNING THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILING TO RETRACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567432March 5, 2014
STRUCTURE, AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER HAS WARPED AND IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE DASH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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