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2008 Dodge Avenger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avenger years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Avenger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 157.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

722 reports with mileage · 109 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 236 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports26 fire reports24 injury reports

Power Train complaints

236 reports
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44,873 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train

IT HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 2 DAYS. I WENT TO START IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THERE WERE NO ERRORS FOUND. I GOOGLE SEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_STUCK_IN_PARK.SHTML IN THERE WERE SIMIL…

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IT HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR 2 DAYS. I WENT TO START IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PARK. AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THERE WERE NO ERRORS FOUND. I GOOGLE SEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_STUCK_IN_PARK.SHTML IN THERE WERE SIMILAR ISSUES PEOPLE EXPRESSED ANGUISH OVER. I READ ONE POST TALKING ABOUT A PINK PLASTIC PART THAT HAD BEEN THE WHOLE ISSUE. SURE ENOUGH, I WENT TO MY CAR AND LOCATED THE PIECE AND DID AS OTHERS SAID, AND MY CAR WAS ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS YET, BUT KNOWING CHRYSLER THEY PROBABLY WON'T OFFER THIS AS A RECALL/WARRANTY PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344124

52,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARKING GEAR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 09/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/10

NHTSA ODI #10344081

43,700 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE, REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343975

36,056 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train

I GOT OFF WORK YESTERDAY JULY 17 2010 AND ATTEMPTED 2 LEAVE. EXCEPT I COULDN'T BECAUSE WITHOUT WARNING MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK..I. HAVE ONLY 36,056 MILES ON IT AND BECAUSE I DO WHEN I CALLED DODGE 24 HR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY WANTED ME 2 PAY FOR THE TOW FEE..BUT LUCKILY IT WAS A SATURDAY SO THE DEALER…

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I GOT OFF WORK YESTERDAY JULY 17 2010 AND ATTEMPTED 2 LEAVE. EXCEPT I COULDN'T BECAUSE WITHOUT WARNING MY 2008 DODGE AVENGER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK..I. HAVE ONLY 36,056 MILES ON IT AND BECAUSE I DO WHEN I CALLED DODGE 24 HR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY WANTED ME 2 PAY FOR THE TOW FEE..BUT LUCKILY IT WAS A SATURDAY SO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED. I HAD 2 FIND A RIDE HOME AND WHEN I DID I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT TOOK ME 2 A WEBSITE CAR COMPLAINTS.COM AND ITS PLENTY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM..SO I READ THREW MOST OF THEM AND EVERY 1 WAS SAYING HOW THEY PRESSED A PINK BUTTON UNDER THE GEARSHIFT MODULE 2 GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK..SO I GOT EXCITED WENT BACK 2 MY JOB WHERE MY CAR SAT IN THE PARKING LOT AND PRESSED DA PINK BUTTON WITH A FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER JST 2 GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND DROVE IT HOME WHERE I GOT IT SITTING TILL MONDAY MORNING WEN I CALL THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAIN BOUT THEIR FAULTY PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT'S MESSING EVERY 1S 08 AVENGER UP..I'M HAPPY I'M AVOIDING A $105 TOWING FEE BUT SO UNHAPPY AT WHAT I PREPARED 2 HEAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP 2 MORROW. THIS PROBLEM IS CHRYSLER DODGE FAULT AND SHOULD B RECALLED. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND I'VE BEEN ITS ONLY OWNER..IF THEY DON'T OFFER 2 PAY 4 IT WHICH I'M GUESSING THEY WON'T SINCE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINERS HAD 2 PAY OVER $300 LABOR FEES PLUS FOR A $45 PART IT WOULD B HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE. PLEASE MAKE SURE DODGE RECALLS THIS AND GIVE THEIR ONCE HAPPY LOYAL CUSTOMERS THEIR MONEY BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343897

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2010
Power TrainSteering

2008 DODGE AVENGER'S GEAR SHIFT WILL STOP WORKING FOR NO KNOWN REASON. NO WARNING IS GIVEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, ON MUST COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE THE CONSOLE TO FIND THE 'MAGICAL PINK SWITCH'. ONE YOU PULL THE PINK SWITCH THE GEAR SHIFT WILL MOVE TO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING …

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2008 DODGE AVENGER'S GEAR SHIFT WILL STOP WORKING FOR NO KNOWN REASON. NO WARNING IS GIVEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, ON MUST COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE THE CONSOLE TO FIND THE 'MAGICAL PINK SWITCH'. ONE YOU PULL THE PINK SWITCH THE GEAR SHIFT WILL MOVE TO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING APPROXIMATELY $300 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343875

50,231 miles · Jul 16, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

DROVE THE 2008 AVENGER LAST NIGHT (THURSDAY 7/15/2010), PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. STARTED THE CAR TODAY (7/16/2010) AND CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. STUCK HERE TILL MONDAY AND HAVE TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DODGE DEALER. GOGGLED PROBLEM, AND FOUND 155 EXACT COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343695

49,000 miles · Jul 16, 2010
Parking BrakePower Train

I HAVE 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT STICK LOCK UP IN THE PARK POSITION. THE OVERRIDE BUTTON UNDER THE CUP HOLDER FAILED TO WORK ALSO. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY A $50 CONTRACT CHARGE. THE COMPANY S…

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I HAVE 2008 DODGE AVENGER AND THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT STICK LOCK UP IN THE PARK POSITION. THE OVERRIDE BUTTON UNDER THE CUP HOLDER FAILED TO WORK ALSO. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY A $50 CONTRACT CHARGE. THE COMPANY SAID THAT THEY HAD THESEPARTS IN STOCK BECAUSE THEY HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 DODGE AVENGERS. THIS IS AN AWFUL FEELING WHEN YOU GET SOMEWHERE AND YOUR VEHICLE LOCKS IN THE PARK POSITION AND NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343629

48,800 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. HOWEVER, THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NOTIFY HIM BY THE END OF THE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. HOWEVER, THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NOTIFY HIM BY THE END OF THE WEEK TO INFORM THE VEHICLE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DIAGNOSED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,800.

NHTSA ODI #10343147

35,105 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesParking BrakePower Train

VERY MANY 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR SHIFTERS GETTING STUCK IN PARK, INCLUDING MINE. (SEE WEBSITE AT THE LINK PASTED FOR PROOF: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/GEAR_SHIFT_MODULE_LOCK_UP.SHTML) SINCE MY CAR WAS JUST UNDER THE 36,000 MILE CUTOFF FOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY I W…

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VERY MANY 2008 DODGE AVENGERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR SHIFTERS GETTING STUCK IN PARK, INCLUDING MINE. (SEE WEBSITE AT THE LINK PASTED FOR PROOF: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/DODGE/AVENGER/2008/TRANSMISSION/GEAR_SHIFT_MODULE_LOCK_UP.SHTML) SINCE MY CAR WAS JUST UNDER THE 36,000 MILE CUTOFF FOR THE FACTORY WARRANTY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO COVER TOWING AND FIXING IT FOR FREE. HOWEVER, THIS APPARENTLY HAPPENS PRETTY OFTEN WITH THESE CARS SO WHAT AM I GOING TO DO THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS AND THE TIME AFTER THAT??? THERE IS A SPRING ATTACHED TO A PINK BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFTER THAT KEEPS POPPING OFF OF EVERYBODY'S CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A MAJOR RECALL ON THIS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343020

25,251 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ON SATURDAY 07/10/10 I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR AND DID SOME SHOPPING THAT I NEEDED TO DO. ON SUNDAY 07/11/10 I WAS PLANNING TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING. I GOT IN MY CAR STARTED THE ENGINE AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF MY GARAGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF TRYING TO G…

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ON SATURDAY 07/10/10 I HAD DRIVEN MY CAR AND DID SOME SHOPPING THAT I NEEDED TO DO. ON SUNDAY 07/11/10 I WAS PLANNING TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING. I GOT IN MY CAR STARTED THE ENGINE AND TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF MY GARAGE. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE OUT OF PARK I GAVE UP AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. ON MONDAY 07/12/10 I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR AND TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL STUCK IN PARK. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER GOT TO MY HOUSE HE INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE 3RD DODGE AVENGER IN THE LAST WEEK THAT HE HAD TO TOW TO A GARAGE BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN PARK. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TALKING TO THE MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD TWO OTHER DODGE CARS IN THE SHOP THAT HE WAS WORKING ON THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. ONE WAS A DODGE AVENGER AND THE OTHER WAS A DODGE MAGNUM. HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS HIS SHOP HAS BEEN REPAIRING MORE AND MORE DODGE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, GEAR SHIFT STUCK IN PARK. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST 12 - 15 CARS IN THE LAST MONTH THAT THEY HAD TO FIX. I FEEL THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS OF WHY SO MANY DODGE CARS GEAR SHIFTS ARE GETTING STUCK IN PARK AND THAT DODGE NEEDS TO POSSIBLY DO A RECALL OF THIS PRODUCT. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR 6 MONTHS AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342825

Official recalls

6

08V152000 · Electrical System:wiring

Apr 2, 2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 180,963 MY 2007-2008 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A STANDARD TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR THE TPMS MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN CAUSE A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS INCLUDING ENGINE NO-START, DEAD BATTERY, AN INOPERATIVE CRUISE CONTROL OR REMOTE START SYSTEM, AND/OR ENGINE STALLING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ENGINE STALLING COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SEAL THE WIRES FOR THE TPMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V473000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly

Oct 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTOR FOR CONTAMINATION OR DAMAGE, INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS OVERLAY, AND REPLACE THE FAN MOTOR FREE OR CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V426000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Sep 13, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD SEPARATE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL TANK TO LOOSEN AND LEAK FUEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERBODY FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V414000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 12, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FRONT DOOR LATCH CABLE MAY BECOME PARTIALLY UNSEATED FROM THE INTERIOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING POSSIBLY CAUSING THE LATCH TO STICK IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION OR THE LOCK FUNCTION TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH AN UNLATCHED DOOR CAN RESULT IN AN UNBELTED FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE OR BEING EJECTED IN A CRASH, CAUSING INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SECONDARY RETENTION FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS. THIS ACTION WILL SUPERSEDE AND EXPAND A PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL (PLEASE SEE 07V-104). THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V240000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jun 13, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V104000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Mar 15, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT DOOR LATCH CABLE MAY BECOME PARTIALLY UNSEATED FROM THE INTERIOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING CAUSING THE DOOR LATCH TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND NOT BE SECURED TO THE STRIKER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS, THE POSSIBILITY OF A DOOR OPENING COULD CAUSE AN UNBELTED PASSENGER TO BE EJECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy: THIS ACTION IS SUPERSEDED (PLEASE SEE 07-V414.) DEALERS WILL ADD FREE OF CHARGE A SECONDARY FEATURE TO BOTH FRONT DOORS TO PREVENT THE DOOR LATCH CABLE FERRULE FROM BECOMING UNSEATED AT THE INTERIOR FRONT DOOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.