IllustrationTHE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES DO NOT FUNCTION DUE TO BAD PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THEM IN PLACE AND THIS WILL NOT ALLOW ME OR MY PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE INCASE OF A FIRE OR ACCIDENT. IT STARTED OUT AS A SMALL CRACK AND NOW THEY ALL ARE BREAKING OFF. *TR
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Grand Cherokee years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 726.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Cherokee years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1890–25K
16025–50K
29250–75K
27175–100K
324100–150K
127150K+
1,363 reports with mileage · 688 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 927 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 405 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
82 crash reports24 fire reports50 injury reports
Latches/locks/linkages complaints
163 reportsIN MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE PLASTIC THAT THE DOOR HANDLE WAS CONNECTED BY BEGAN TO CRACK, WITHIN A FEW WEEKS THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE WAS NO LONGER WORKING LEAVING ME TO HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO A SUPPLIER'S DEFECTIVE PLASTIC …
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IN MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE PLASTIC THAT THE DOOR HANDLE WAS CONNECTED BY BEGAN TO CRACK, WITHIN A FEW WEEKS THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE WAS NO LONGER WORKING LEAVING ME TO HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO A SUPPLIER'S DEFECTIVE PLASTIC RESIN MIX, NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. IN CASE OF A CRASH OR FIRE, A PASSENGER OR DRIVER MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD BE TRAPPED IN AND COULD DIE, MY PASSENGER SIDE IS ALSO HANGING VERY LOOSELY AND SOON WILL NOT WORK AS WELL. THE DOOR HANDLE IS NOT A SEPARATE PART AS IN MOST VEHICLES SO THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE MUST BE REPLACE. THE DEALER CHARGES MORE THAN 800 DOLLARS TO FIX A DOOR PIECE, AND THE PART WILL JUST BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER DOOR PANEL WITH THE EXACT SAME PLASTIC THAT WILL BREAK EVENTUALLY AGAIN. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE FOR 3 YEARS. ONE YEAR AGO, I GOT A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE. THEN 6 MONTHS AGO, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE CRACKED. LAST MONTH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE A FRIEND WAS TRYING TO EXIT. THE DOOR HANDLES ARE SLOWLY BREAKING OFF AT THE PL…
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I HAVE HAD MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE FOR 3 YEARS. ONE YEAR AGO, I GOT A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE. THEN 6 MONTHS AGO, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE CRACKED. LAST MONTH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE A FRIEND WAS TRYING TO EXIT. THE DOOR HANDLES ARE SLOWLY BREAKING OFF AT THE PLASTIC AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,200.
I OWN A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND ALL MY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING,I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM CONCERNED THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN. *TR
2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED (5.7L): INTERIOR PLASTIC HOLDING DOOR HANDLES HAS BEEN CRACKED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND NOW THEY ARE BROKEN. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE (I'M SINGLE, NO KIDS) AND MY REAR DOOR HANDLES HAVE RARELY EVER BEEN USED, YET THEY ARE COMPLETELY BROKEN NOW. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON TREND AMON…
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2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED (5.7L): INTERIOR PLASTIC HOLDING DOOR HANDLES HAS BEEN CRACKED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND NOW THEY ARE BROKEN. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE (I'M SINGLE, NO KIDS) AND MY REAR DOOR HANDLES HAVE RARELY EVER BEEN USED, YET THEY ARE COMPLETELY BROKEN NOW. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON TREND AMONG THESE 2005-2008 JEEP MODELS AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS REAR PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSIDE. THE STEPS TO REPAIR A SIMPLE DOOR HANDLE AND CRACK REQUIRES THE ENTIRE PANEL TO BE REPLACED, AT $400+ EACH. THESE DEALER REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACK-ORDER DUE TO THE EXTREME AMOUNT OF CASES WITH THIS. *TR
DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH IS LOOSE BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC PART IS BROKE OFF, AND IT CAN COME OFF ANYTIME. OTHER TWO DOORS HAVE CRACKS AROUND THE LATCHES, STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NOT THING CAN BE DONE EXCEPT REPLACE THE PARTS WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS THE DEFECTIVE ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC THAT SURROUNDED TH…
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DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH IS LOOSE BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC PART IS BROKE OFF, AND IT CAN COME OFF ANYTIME. OTHER TWO DOORS HAVE CRACKS AROUND THE LATCHES, STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS NOT THING CAN BE DONE EXCEPT REPLACE THE PARTS WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS THE DEFECTIVE ISSUE WITH THE PLASTIC THAT SURROUNDED THE DOOR LATCHES. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE DOOR PANELS ON MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE LATCHES IS BREAKING APART AND CRUMBLING. ALL 4 DOORS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OF THE PLASTIC FAILING. IF THE PLASTIC CONTINUES TO BREAK APART THE DOOR HANDLE WILL FAIL AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OP…
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THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE DOOR PANELS ON MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE DOOR HANDLE LATCHES IS BREAKING APART AND CRUMBLING. ALL 4 DOORS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OF THE PLASTIC FAILING. IF THE PLASTIC CONTINUES TO BREAK APART THE DOOR HANDLE WILL FAIL AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD PREVENT MYSELF OR PASSENGERS FROM EXITING VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE DEFECT. DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY HAD NOT COME ACROSS SAID PROBLEM BEFORE. I INFORMED THEM THAT IT WAS OBVIOUS DEFECT SINCE ALL THE DOORS WERE DEGRADING AT THE SAME TIME. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO BUY NEW DOOR PANELS FOR $2600. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE DEFECT DOOR PANELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THE DOOR PANELS ON THIS MODEL. *TR
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL BROKE & DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS THE 2ND DOOR HANDLE THAT HAS BROKEN IN THE VEHICLE. IN SEARCHING TO FIX THE BACK DOOR, I FOUND AN ARTICLE SHOWING THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF A RESIN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CAN FIND A SAFETY RECALL …
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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL BROKE & DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS THE 2ND DOOR HANDLE THAT HAS BROKEN IN THE VEHICLE. IN SEARCHING TO FIX THE BACK DOOR, I FOUND AN ARTICLE SHOWING THAT CHRYSLER WAS AWARE OF A RESIN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I CAN FIND A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE LOCKS. *TR
OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS ALL 4 OF MY INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN ON MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. I ONLY HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE ONE DAY A WEEK AT THE MOST. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE, BUT A SUPPLIER'S DEFECTIVE PLASTIC RESIN MIX. THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL MUST BE REPLACED NOT JUST THE HANDLE. *TR
Official recalls
314V438000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jul 21, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.
13V175000 · Electrical System; Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
May 7, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
05V396000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Sep 14, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.7L ENGINES AND NAG1 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR CONDENSATE WATER MAY ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED TRANSMISSION OPERATING TEMPERATURES, BOILING OF THE WATER, AND A SUBSEQUENT PURGING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION FOR LEAKAGE AT THE FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL. IF NO LEAK IS DETECTED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF THE PRESENCE OF A LEAK IS DETECTED, THE VEHICLE WILL BE EVALUATED FOR SHUDDER DURING TORQUE CONVERTER ENGAGEMENT. IF NO SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE TRIPLE FLUSHED, AND NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. IF SHUDDER IS DETECTED, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL BE REPLACED, A NEW FILL TUBE GROMMET SEAL AND WATER DEFLECTOR WILL BE INSTALLED, AND PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FILL TUBE VERIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2005. 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
1PE14017 · Air Bag Non-deployment
Opened Jun 16, 2014 · Closed Dec 23, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:module; Electrical System:ignition:switch
Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:ignition
Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703
Electrical System:ignition:module
Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703
Electrical System:ignition:switch
Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking assist, increasing the risk of a crash and disabling one or more of the vehicle's safety features including the frontal air bags.Most of the reported incidents occurred as a result of driver interaction with the ignition key.Based on the recall action taken by Chrysler, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed.Additionalinformation on this closing resume, and the investigation are in the PE14-017 public file available online at SaferCar.gov.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10101116 10103300 10106060 10112589 10116788 10126986 10128093 10130780 10145501 10146213 10153018 10155291 10156396 10158165 10162933 10166746 10178559 10183305 10186545 10189530 10192237 10193106 10194092 10199552 10199986 10221500 10222283 10227253 10231011 10328609 10358324 10392364 10577532 10585326 10585976 10599142 10604990 10605091 10605209 10606494 10606610 10607043 10607614 10607785 10608196 10615565 10615671 10615761 10616124 10633266 10633313 10633724 10639371 10640010 10644827 10652526 10653000 10653382 10654009 10654139 10654809 10655095 10659448 10662220 10662703