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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

405 reports
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20,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

I HAVE A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS AND HANDLES TO OPEN THE DOORS ARE ALL BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $600-700 PER DOOR TO REPLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT RENDERING THE PASSENGERS UNABLE TO OPEN UP THE DOORS. THE CHRYSLER CORP SHOULD DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS OBVIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN/MANUFACTURING IS…

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I HAVE A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE INTERIOR DOOR PANELS AND HANDLES TO OPEN THE DOORS ARE ALL BROKEN. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $600-700 PER DOOR TO REPLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT RENDERING THE PASSENGERS UNABLE TO OPEN UP THE DOORS. THE CHRYSLER CORP SHOULD DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS OBVIOUS AND DANGEROUS DESIGN/MANUFACTURING ISSUE. AS A RESULT OF THE BROKEN DOOR PANELS, THE DOOR HANDLES WILL NOT PROPERLY OPEN UP THE DOORS FOR BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS. IF THERE IS EVER AN ACCIDENT AND THOSE DOORS ARE THE ONLY ESCAPE ROUTE, THEY WILL RENDER THE PASSENGERS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320327

57,500 miles · Mar 10, 2010
StructureVisibility

THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO WILL NOT ROLL UP (AFTER DROPPING DOWN INTO THE DOOR ON THE HIGHWAY). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318433

36,300 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 GRAND CHER LIMITED DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE,WHEN PULLED TO OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295006

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. LETTER FORWARDED FROM FTC-FROM CONGRESSWOMAN GINNY BROWN-WAITE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLER CORPORATION. *NJ THE CASINGS BEHIND THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH BEGAN TO GRADUALLY DETERIORATE UNTIL ALL FOUR DOOR CASINGS CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER…

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2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. LETTER FORWARDED FROM FTC-FROM CONGRESSWOMAN GINNY BROWN-WAITE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLER CORPORATION. *NJ THE CASINGS BEHIND THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH BEGAN TO GRADUALLY DETERIORATE UNTIL ALL FOUR DOOR CASINGS CRACKED WHICH RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS APPARENT THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE CASINGS WERE DEFECTIVE. A CASE IN POINT WAS THE TWO BACK DOOR CASINGS WHICH DISINTEGRATED IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THOSE DOORS WERE SELDOM USED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10270293

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2009
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. ON THE ENGINE HOOD COVER, THE ORIGINAL AND EXISTING GAS OPERATED HOOD SUPPORT DOES NOT HOLD. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN VERY MANY OPENING AND CLOSINGS OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE HOOD SLAMS DOWN AND COULD CAUSE A PERSONAL INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255997

34,260 miles · Apr 23, 2008
StructureInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT PROPPED UP THE HYDRAULIC HOOD IN ORDER TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE HOOD CAME DOWN ABRUPTLY ONTO THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND BACK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,315 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,260.

NHTSA ODI #10225500

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2008
Structure

WATER POURS IN THROUGH THE A PILLARS AND WHERE THE GARAGE OPENER IS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE WINTER MONTHS, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS REALLY COLD. THIS HAPPENED 2 OR 3 TIMES LAST WINTER (2006) AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 DAYS. THE PATTERN IS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SNOW ON ROOF AND IT GETS REALLY COLD THEN WARMS UP…

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WATER POURS IN THROUGH THE A PILLARS AND WHERE THE GARAGE OPENER IS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE WINTER MONTHS, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS REALLY COLD. THIS HAPPENED 2 OR 3 TIMES LAST WINTER (2006) AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 DAYS. THE PATTERN IS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SNOW ON ROOF AND IT GETS REALLY COLD THEN WARMS UP A LITTLE THE WATER POURS IN. THE CARPET IS SOAKED. I CAN HEAR THE ICE MOVING AROUND IN THE A PILLARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALER CAN'T SIMULATE THIS. THEY PUT THE VEHICLE IN A ROOM AND RUN WATER OVER IT. I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WATER FREEZING INSIDE AND EXPANDING THEN WHEN IT WARMS UP IT JUST POURS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE SUNROOF AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. I THINK IT COULD BE THE GASKETS FOR THE LUGGAGE RACK COULD BE CRACKED OR LOOSE, THUS WATER GETTING IN. I CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY IT DOESN'T DO IT WHEN IT JUST RAINS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218626

5,000 miles · Aug 12, 2007
Structure

VEHICLE HAD BIRD DROPPINGS ON HOOD. WASHED OFF SAME DAY AND ATE RIGHT THROUGH PAINT DOWN TO METAL. JEEP WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. NOTICED THAT CLEAR COAT EITHER DOES NOT EXIST ON THIS VEHICLE OR IS VERY THIN. NOTICED OTHER SPOTS WHERE BIRD DROPPINGS HAVE LEFT MARKS ON PAINT AND CHIPS IN PAINT ALL OVER VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL…

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VEHICLE HAD BIRD DROPPINGS ON HOOD. WASHED OFF SAME DAY AND ATE RIGHT THROUGH PAINT DOWN TO METAL. JEEP WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. NOTICED THAT CLEAR COAT EITHER DOES NOT EXIST ON THIS VEHICLE OR IS VERY THIN. NOTICED OTHER SPOTS WHERE BIRD DROPPINGS HAVE LEFT MARKS ON PAINT AND CHIPS IN PAINT ALL OVER VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES AND NEVER HAVE SEEN PAINT THIS BAD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199350

49,100 miles · Jan 29, 2007
Structure

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ONLY HAS 1 STRUT TO HOLD UP THE HOOD. THE STRUT IS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THE HOOD HAS FALLEN ON HIM WHILE HE WAS UNDER THE HOOD CHECKING THE FLUIDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD CAME DOWN ACROSS HIS BACK, HE WAS NOT INJURED AT THE TIME. THIS FAILURE HAPPEN…

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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ONLY HAS 1 STRUT TO HOLD UP THE HOOD. THE STRUT IS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THE HOOD HAS FALLEN ON HIM WHILE HE WAS UNDER THE HOOD CHECKING THE FLUIDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD CAME DOWN ACROSS HIS BACK, HE WAS NOT INJURED AT THE TIME. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD HAS ALSO FELL AT THE CHRYSLER DEALER WHILE GETTING SERVICED. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED A NEW STRUT FOR THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10180983

21,000 miles · Sep 4, 2006
EquipmentPower TrainSteering

***SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2005 JEEP CHEROKEE LAREDO 3.7*** JUST AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN FEB 2006 DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY WORK AT ONE SPEED. AFTER THAT THE TRANSFER CASE AND SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, NEXT THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO LEAK MOLDING THE CARPETS, NEXT THE STEERING WHEEL B…

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***SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 2005 JEEP CHEROKEE LAREDO 3.7*** JUST AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN FEB 2006 DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONER BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY WORK AT ONE SPEED. AFTER THAT THE TRANSFER CASE AND SHIFTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, NEXT THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO LEAK MOLDING THE CARPETS, NEXT THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MAKING LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN MAKING DEEP TURNS, VEHICLE ALSO HAS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN GOING UP HILLS, NOW MY MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID ALL UNDER THE VEHICLE. HAVE ALSO BUMPED MY KNEE AGAINST THE KEY RESULTING IN STALLING. WORST OF ALL ONLY GETTING 12-14 MPG!!!!!!HAVE OWNED JEEPS IN THE PAST, VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS ONE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167324

Official recalls

3

14V438000 · 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

1

PE14017 · 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

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