NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
153 reportsClear category filter137,002 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Electrical System
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND GETTING TO A DESTINATION, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM THE SWITCH HAVE DID ALL THE TROUBLESHOOTING IT IS IN GEAR ALL THE WAY OFF AND STILL CAN'T REMOVE IF WE LEAVE IT SET FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WE CAN THEN REMOVE THE KEY THIS STARTED ON MONDAY OCT 8TH AND HAS DONE IT…
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WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND GETTING TO A DESTINATION, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM THE SWITCH HAVE DID ALL THE TROUBLESHOOTING IT IS IN GEAR ALL THE WAY OFF AND STILL CAN'T REMOVE IF WE LEAVE IT SET FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WE CAN THEN REMOVE THE KEY THIS STARTED ON MONDAY OCT 8TH AND HAS DONE IT EVER SINCE CONSISTENTLY
NHTSA ODI #11142437
133,000 miles · Sep 18, 2018
Electrical System
WELL MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. IT MAKES THE DOME LIGHTS STAY ON. NEED HELP BEFORE IT GETS WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #11130065
95,000 miles · Aug 30, 2018
Electrical System
ONE OF MY DOOR OPEN SENSORS ACTS UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT CAUSING THE ALARM TO SOUND ON ITS ON. WHEN IT'S COLD THE OPEN DOOR INDICATOR GOES AWAY AND ALARM DOESN'T GO OFF. HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHICH SENSOR TO SERVICE?
NHTSA ODI #11123547
90,000 miles · Aug 18, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System
THE LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAGS IS YELLOW AND HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. I ASK THE MECHANIC WHAT THAT MEANT. HE TOLD ME THE AIRBAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THAT ALSO CONTROLS THE AUTO LOCK ON THE DOORS WHEN YOU TAKE OFF. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I'M NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE…
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THE LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAGS IS YELLOW AND HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. I ASK THE MECHANIC WHAT THAT MEANT. HE TOLD ME THE AIRBAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THAT ALSO CONTROLS THE AUTO LOCK ON THE DOORS WHEN YOU TAKE OFF. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I'M NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR SO I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THAT, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I JUST HOPE I DON'T EVER NEED THEM. THE MODULE JUST GAVE OUT AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS BEEN ON ANY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON. I NO LONGER HAVE THE REPAIR BILL KRAPHOL FORD GAVE ME. ON 01/30/2016 I SENT IN A COMPLAINT BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT, SO THIS IS A REPEAT.
NHTSA ODI #11120759
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
MY VEHICLE ALARM WILL JUST START GOING OFF NOBODY IS NEAR THE KEYS OR VEHICLE, IT WILL JUST GO OFF AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE BUTTON ON THE KEY AND SHUT IT OFF TODAY AT WORK I WAS SITTING AT MY DESK AND IN A MATTER OF 10 MINUTES IT WENT OFF 4 TIMES. I AM NOT SURE WHY IT IS DOING THIS, BUT IT IS CONCERNING.
NHTSA ODI #11113325
5 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR JOLTED. AFTER 3-5 MORE MILES THE CAR KEPPED JOLTING AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE THEN LOST ALL POWER, EVEN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT TURNED BACK ON FINE THEN CONTINUED THE PROCESS. THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD HAVE B…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR JOLTED. AFTER 3-5 MORE MILES THE CAR KEPPED JOLTING AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE THEN LOST ALL POWER, EVEN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDNT COME ON. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF IT TURNED BACK ON FINE THEN CONTINUED THE PROCESS. THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON DIED ON THE FREEWAY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT TO WHERE MY LIFE WAS ALMOST LOST. I MADE IT TO MY MECHANIC SHOP THEY RAN THE CARE FOR CODES AND NO CODES CAME UP AT ALL. MY MECHANIC HAS DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SOME 2005-2008 FORED ESCAPES HAVE RECALLS. HE FEELS AS MY CAR IS ONE BECAUSE MY CAR HAS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL. IN THIS ARTICLE I HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE ISSUES.THE 2005 ESCAPE HAS PROBLEMS WHERE THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. FORD FINALLY ISSUED A SEPTEMBER 2014 RECALL. TIME WILL TELL IF THE RECALL FIX REALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE 2005 ESCAPE ALSO HAS A DEFECT WHERE THE PCM (POWER CONTROL MODULE) FRIES AT AROUND 100K MILES. FORD EXTENDED THE PCM WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, BUT ONLY AFTER MOST OWNERS WERE PAST THE MILEAGE LIMIT. NOW OWNERS ARE ON THE HOOK FOR THE AVERAGE REPAIR COST OF OVER $2,000 (!!)
NHTSA ODI #11073748
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
CAR ALARM ALWAYS GOING OFF CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. ALARM WILL NOT RESET LOCK DOORS. SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH DOOR AJAR AND ALARM REFUSES TO SET. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR OR MORE. COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. OTHERS ARE SAYING IT IS THE LATCH …
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CAR ALARM ALWAYS GOING OFF CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. ALARM WILL NOT RESET LOCK DOORS. SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH DOOR AJAR AND ALARM REFUSES TO SET. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR OR MORE. COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. OTHERS ARE SAYING IT IS THE LATCH THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE BUT FORD COMPANY CAN'T TELL US THIS. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR NOT FOR THE DOOR TO BE AJAR.
NHTSA ODI #11066014
112,000 miles · Jan 28, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
TERRIFYING! POTENTIALLY FATAL . POWER JUST CUT OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. NO POWER. ALL WARRING LIGHTS ABLAZE, BUT NO WARNING BEFOREHAND! GRATEFULLY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO THE MEDIAN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, CAR RESTARTED. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE …
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TERRIFYING! POTENTIALLY FATAL . POWER JUST CUT OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. NO POWER. ALL WARRING LIGHTS ABLAZE, BUT NO WARNING BEFOREHAND! GRATEFULLY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO THE MEDIAN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, CAR RESTARTED. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE FROM THE EXIT. I READ ABOUT THIS WELL KNOWN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IT IS THE PCM. APPARENTLY FORD USED FAULTY SPARK PLUGS. THE FIX IS TOO COSTLY. I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. FORD RECALLED THE 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID BUT NOT THIS MODEL? CRIMINAL
NHTSA ODI #11065559
122,607 miles · Aug 4, 2017
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEARSHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEARSHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PARK AND RIDE LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,607.
NHTSA ODI #11012794
140,000 miles · Jul 26, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY LOCKED AND ALL DOOR WELL SHUT THE REAR RIGHT DOOR SENSOR SAYS ITS OPENED OR AJAR WHICH MAKES THE ALARM GO OFF WHEN NO ONE HAS TRIED TO TOUCH THE CAR AND BECAUSE OF THIS IT HAS DRAIN THE BATTERY WHILE HAVING A LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD BATTERY
NHTSA ODI #11010831
Official recalls
4Sep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Apr 7, 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Dec 20, 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
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.
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