Toyota Prius C Complaints (2013)

57 consumer complaints on file.

#11183570March 1, 2019
STEERING
I AM REQUESTING $2,919.03 IN REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY 2013 PRIUS C, VIN # [XXX] ON 2-11-19 I ATTEMPTED A RIGHT TURN ON A CITY STREET IN SAN MARCOS, CA. I ROTATED THE STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD AND FELT A 'CLUNK.' THE STEERING WHEEL LOST ALL TORQUE AND SPUN FREELY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE WHEELS. I DRIFTED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING (SEE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF REPORT #[XXX]. BIG RED'S AUTOMOTIVE (SEE ATTACHED INVOICE) TOOK ATTACHED PICTURES OF STEERING COLUMN AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. PICTURES REVEAL INTERNAL DAMAGE TO COGS. CARFAX REPORT INDICATES EXTENSIVE DEALER SERVICE HISTORY WITH NO REPORTED ACCIDENTS. DEALER TOYOTA OF ESCONDIDO DID NOT DISCLOSE DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT TO VEHICLE. WITH NO EVIDENCE OF AN ACCIDENT CAUSING CONDITION AND EXTENSIVE DEALER SERVICE TO THIS VEHICLE I CONCLUDE CONDITION CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING IS FACTORY DEFECT. I REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR COST. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CW *TT *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11103445June 22, 2018
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AROUND 2:00 AM ON FWY 101 NORTH/SOUTH DIVISION POINT, CAR SUDDENLY LOST ITS POWER AND ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING AND STOPPED IN THE CURVING AREA ON FASTEST LANES. I TURNED MY KEY ON/OFF FOR 5 TIMES LIGHTS ON THE PANEL WAS ON BUT ACCELERATOR WAS NOT WORKING AT ALL FOR 30 MIN SO I CALLED POLICE AND AAA TOWING. WHEN FINALLY AAA CAME AND TALKING ON THE PHONE, THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATED AGAIN. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS MY CAR WAS FORCED TO PARK ON THE FASTEST LANE ON THE CURVING AREA AT 2:00AM AND MANY TRUCKS AND CARS WERE DRIVING 90 MILES/HOUR. 4-5 CARS WERE YELLING AT ME "IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PARK YOUR CAR RIGHT HERE !" AND SOME MALE DRIVERS OFFERED ME FOR HELP BUT I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS WAITING FOR POLICE (AS I WAS MORE AFRAID TO GET A HELP FROM STRANGERS.) THIS INCIDENT COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. NEXT DAY, I TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA NORTHLEDGE BUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM OF THIS CAR. I READ THE "RECALL" OF TOYOTA PRIUS 2010-2014 ABOUT INVERTER PROBLEM WHICH CAUSE THE POWER FAILURE BUT TIM/SERVICE MANGER TOLD ME THAT "YOUR VIN # IS NOT COVERED WITH THIS ISSUE." THEREFORE, HE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11074712February 25, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED WHEN CAR IS IN PARK AND WHEN IT IS IN MOTION. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM IGNITION AND CAR LOCKED. TOYOTA HAS REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND NOW IT IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11034633October 19, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE REAR LENS AND BODY ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBER 81551-52A94 (RIGHT SIDE) AND CORRESPONDING PART ON THE LEFT SIDE. A SEAM CRACKS AND ALLOWS WATER INTO THE LENS ASSEMBLY. EVENTUALLY, ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES TO COVER THE BRAKE LIGHT CAUSING IT TO SHORT. THE TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD DO BUT REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS AND HAVE TAKEN PICTURES. THE SEAM ON BOTH ASSEMBLIES FACING IS CRACKED AT EXACTLY THE SAME POINT ... ABOUT MID-WAY CLOSEST TO THE REAR HATCH. MY GUESS IS THAT ICE ACCUMULATED IN THE SPACE AND CAUSED THE ASSEMBLIES TO CRACK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10970657April 5, 2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE METICULOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE CAR, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING, ABS WARNING, AND SLIP INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED - INDICATING, "HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY YOUR TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY." TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER AND SERVICE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS WAS COMPLETELY CHEWED THROUGH BY RODENTS, WHICH HE SAID HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMMON NOW THAT TOYOTA IS USING SOY-BASED WIRE COVERINGS, AND THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE WIRE HARNESS IS COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $3,843.83. TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THEIR DESIGN DEFECT, WHICH NOT ONLY CAUSES A MAJOR FINANCIAL SETBACK, BUT ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE DRIVING A TOYOTA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10920321October 31, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE LIGHT COVER FIXTURE, WHICH CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CORROSION TO THE WIRE HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10851386March 24, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822479January 27, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY PRIUS C 2013, WITH 11,484 MILES, FOR 5 MINUTE, THE MESSAGE PANEL INDICATE IMMIEDIATE STOP AT SAFE PLACE WITH ALL PRECAUTIONS. HABRID SYSTEM NOT FUCNTIONING.. 6 OR 7 WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON DISPLAY PANEL. AND MOTOR BECOMES UNSTABLE OF ITS RPM'S. AND STARTS HESITATION. CAR IN DEALERS SHOP FOR 3 DAYS WITH NO IDEA OF REASONS FOR THIS OCCURRENCE.FORTUNETLY I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY OR TURNPIKE, I WAS 3 MINUTES FROM MY HOME.. TOYOTA DOES NOT PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSITTENCE EVEN IF YOU BOUGHT CAR NEW WITHIN 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEAR WARRENTY.??????
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10782327October 15, 2015
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10704787April 9, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT CAUSED MOLD TO GROW INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691187February 27, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I HAVE HAD MY TOYOTA PRIUS C FOR 1.5 YEARS. I WAS ASSURED IT WAS A SAFE CAR. HOWEVER THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTO TRACTION CONTROL THAT WILL TURN ON DURING FLURRIES OR IF THERE ARE WET LEAVES OR RAIN. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL (A SAFETY FEATURE) TURNS ON MY WHEELS STOP,MY BRAKES STOP, I CANNOT CONTROL MY STEERING AND I AM BASICALLY AT THE MERCY OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS 55-65 MPH, AND ON BACK ROADS 25MPH+ AND ON TURNS WHERE I AM GOING 2-4 MPH AT A GLIDE, OR ON HILLS, BECAUSE THE CAR WILL TURN ON THE AUTO TRACTION AND I LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BASED ON THIS FEATURE OF THE CAR (WHICH OTHER CARS HAVE A FEATURE TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION) YET TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING. PEOPLE HAVE FOUND A WAY TO SHUT OFF THE TRACTION THEMSELVES IN NEWER MODELS THROUGH A SET OF STEPS THAT COULD BLOW THE ENGINE, YET THEY SAY THE RISK IS THE SAFER OPTION. A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEIR LIFE IS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF HOW BAD THIS FEATURE IS IN BAD WEATHER. THIS CAR CANNOT HANDLE ANY TYPE OF BAD WEATHER. I TRIED TO GO TO A TOYOTA MECHANIC (JONES JUNCTION IN BEL AIR MARYLAND) AND WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF LUCK AND I WOULD JUST HAVE TO CRASH MY CAR IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE LIABLE. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE AND THOSE AROUND ME ARE IN DANGER BECAUSE THE CAR SO EASILY GOES OUT OF CONTROL. I CAN'T EVEN GET IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY OR MOVE IF THERE IS 1 INCH OF SNOW BECAUSE EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF AND I GET STUCK IN THE STREET. I'M SCARED IN THIS CAR BUT I CANNOT RETURN IT BECAUSE I WOULD LOSE SO MUCH MONEY. THIS "SAFETY FEATURE" PUTS LIVES IN DANGER AND THERE IS NO OPTION TO TURN IT OFF UNLIKE OTHER BETTER CAR MODELS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR PRIUS AND PRIUS C AND PRIUS V CARS SO OWNERS CAN HAVE THE OPTION OF TURNING ON OR OFF THE TRACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672743January 15, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE HAVE REPLACED 3 HEAD LAMP BULBS IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10668239December 25, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AT APPROXIMATELY 2:10PM ON MONDAY DECEMBER 10, 2014 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A BRIEF TRIP. I WAS MAKING THE 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I FELT MY CAR, A PRIUS, ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. BUT THIS ACCELERATION WAS NOT LIKE WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND IT WAS GOING TO GO! THIS CAR HAS A LOW HORSEPOWER ENGINE AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ME BEING ABLE TO "LAY RUBBER" WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YET THE PHOTOS MY HUSBAND TOOK LATER CLEARLY SHOW TIRE MARKS ON THE ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HIT MY NEIGHBOR'S CONCRETE BLOCK RETAINING WALL AND CLIMBED IT. THE UPWARD THRUST WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED, BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS UPSIDE DOWN, HANGING FROM THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS. I WAS NOT HURT AS FAR AS I CAN DETERMINE, WHICH IS PRETTY AMAZING. I WAS ABLE TO EFFECT AN EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, WITH ASSISTANCE, THROUGH THE SHATTERED WINDOW. OUR DRIVEWAY IS PRETTY SHORT SO ALL THIS HAPPENED WITHIN LESS THAN 3 SECONDS AND ~20 FEET. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653254November 7, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10586437May 4, 2014
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
I GOT IN MY CAR, WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AT 6:15 PM AFTER A SUNNY, WARM DAY. WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WITH AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG. THE MAJORITY OF THE GLASS WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR, ON THE STREET. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER HE EXAMINED THE CAR, HE HAD SOME THEORIES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BUT NOTHING CONCRETE. HE MENTIONED THAT PERHAPS THE INTERIOR VENTS WERE BLOCKED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED PRESSURE INSIDE THE CAR TO SHATTER THE BACK WINDOW, SO THE BODY SHOP GUYS EXAMINED THOSE VENTS. THEY FOUND THEM TO BE CLEAR. BOTH THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND THE BODY SHOP GUYS ASKED ME IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY DAMAGE TO THE GLASS ON BACK WINDOW BEFORE THE INCIDENT, AND I SAID THAT I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524829July 15, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I PULLED UP OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH, I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON. THE CAR THEN LOCKED - BUT WITH MY SMART KEY FOB AND MY 10-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE. I HAD NO WAY OF GETTING INTO THE CAR TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT - I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE AND HAVE THEM BREAK INTO THE CAR FOR ME. AS THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE TWICE - FROM WORK TO MY SITTER'S, FROM MY SITTER'S TO MY HOUSE - THE KEY WAS DETECTABLE FROM ITS LOCATION IN MY CAR. THERE IS NO WAY IT SHOULD HAVE LOCKED WITH THE KEY FOB STILL INSIDE. AND I CAN'T EMPHASIZE HOW MUCH OF A SAFETY HAZARD THIS IS - MY 10-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR. WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN A REALLY HOT DAY? WHAT IF I HAD BEEN SOMEWHERE WHERE IT TOOK THE POLICE TIME TO GET TO ME? WHAT IF MY PHONE HAD BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR? WHILE IT ALL TURNED OUT FINE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE SMART KEY SYSTEM ON MY CAR SHOULD NEVER ALLOW THE KEY TO BE LOCKED INSIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519364June 11, 2013
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS, APPARENTLY IN ALL MODELS OF 2012 AND 2013 TOYOTAS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SYSTEM FAILS TO PRODUCE A VOICE PROMPT FOR TURNS PERHAPS AS MUCH AS 50% OF THE TIME. FAILURE OF THE VOICE PROMPT MEANS THAT YOU MUST CONTINUALLY LOOK DOWN AT THE SCREEN IN ORDER TO KNOW WHERE AND WHEN TO TURN. I'M CERTAIN THAT THIS HAS CAUSED MANY, MANY ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES AS WELL. THERE IS A WARNING THAT COMES UP EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE SYSTEM ON SAYING THAT WATCHING THE SCREEN IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE FAILURE TO THEM. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE VOICE PROMPTS ARE A SOMETIMES THING. AT MY REQUEST, THEY TESTED ANOTHER TOYOTA OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, AND INFORMED ME THAT IT HAD FAILED AS WELL. I TESTED A NEIGHBOR'S 2013 PRIUS C AND FOUND IT TO FAIL THE PROMPTS AT THE SAME INTERSECTIONS. I ALSO TESTED A 2012 PRIUS, AND IT FAILED ALSO. THE TOYOTA SALESMAN TELLS ME THE THE SAME NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS USED IN ALL BUT A FEW 2012 AND 2013 TOYOTA MODELS; SO I'M ASSUMING THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS THROUGHOUT AT LEAST ALL 2012 AND 2013 TOYOTAS BUT FOR A FEW THAT USE A DIFFERENT SYSTEM. ALL FOUR OF THE TOYOTAS TESTED, INCLUDING THE ONE TESTED BY THE DEALER HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE VOICE PROMPTS AT THE SAME INTERSECTIONS.THESE ARE NOT NEWLY CREATED OR REMOTE INTERSECTIONS. ONE OF THEM IS A 6 LANE ARTERIAL (NE164TH AVE & SE 164TH AVE. IN VANCOUVER, WA).THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED ON FREEWAY EXITS AND IN OTHER CITIES (STEVENSON, WA, 54 MILES DISTANT, BEAVERTON AND PORTLAND, OR, AND LONGVIEW, WA.) AND IN CLEAR AS WELL AS OVERCAST WEATHER. I'VE USED GARMEN AND TOM TOM SYSTEMS EXTENSIVELY WITHOUT EVER EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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