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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

134 reports
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148,969 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other

EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ALWAYS ON. THEN UPON DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE SEAT BELT ALARM STARTS BUZZING EVEN THOUGH ALL SEAT BELTS ARE LATCHED PROPERLY. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THE DASH GOES COMPLETELY BLACK. ALL ALARMS AND LIGHTS GO OUT ALONG WITH THE HEATING/AC. THIS IS ON A RO…

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EVERY TIME WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH IS ALWAYS ON. THEN UPON DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE SEAT BELT ALARM STARTS BUZZING EVEN THOUGH ALL SEAT BELTS ARE LATCHED PROPERLY. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THE DASH GOES COMPLETELY BLACK. ALL ALARMS AND LIGHTS GO OUT ALONG WITH THE HEATING/AC. THIS IS ON A ROUTINE BASIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607609

130,844 miles · May 26, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

AFTER HAVING SAFETY RECALL N23 DONE TO MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L I HAVE SINCE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF 4-WHEEL LOW. THE N23 SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE HAS NOT WORKED AS IT HAS CREATED ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE BY ME NOT HAVING MY 4-LOW IN A STATE (COLORADO) THAT I USE 4-LOW IN FOR WINTER AND FOR RECREATION USE. I WAS ALMOST TRAPPED IN …

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AFTER HAVING SAFETY RECALL N23 DONE TO MY JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L I HAVE SINCE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF 4-WHEEL LOW. THE N23 SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE HAS NOT WORKED AS IT HAS CREATED ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE BY ME NOT HAVING MY 4-LOW IN A STATE (COLORADO) THAT I USE 4-LOW IN FOR WINTER AND FOR RECREATION USE. I WAS ALMOST TRAPPED IN THE COLD MOUNTAINS DUE TO NOT KNOWING THE N23 RECALL DEACTIVATED MY 4-LOW. NOT ONLY IF THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLES VALUE HAS DIMINISHED GREATLY AS NOW IT'S A 2WD VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594117

80,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
Unknown Or Other

ALL INTERIOR DOOR HINGES ARE ATTACHED TO A PLASTIC HOUSING AND THAT HOUSING HAS BEGUN TO CRUMBLE ON ALL FOUR DOORS. THE DOOR HINGES ARE CHEAP PLASTIC AND HAVE AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB REGARDING THIS DEFECT, AND I AM NOT SURPRISED TO SEE THOUSANDS OF FOLKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. THERE ARE HUN…

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ALL INTERIOR DOOR HINGES ARE ATTACHED TO A PLASTIC HOUSING AND THAT HOUSING HAS BEGUN TO CRUMBLE ON ALL FOUR DOORS. THE DOOR HINGES ARE CHEAP PLASTIC AND HAVE AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB REGARDING THIS DEFECT, AND I AM NOT SURPRISED TO SEE THOUSANDS OF FOLKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE, AND MANY MORE POSTING THROUGHOUT THE WEB OF JEEP OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD BECAUSE IT WOULD PREVENT ANYONE FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY (SAY A FIRE).

NHTSA ODI #10568364

64,000 miles · Mar 8, 2014
Traction Control SystemUnknown Or Other

RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY TAKEN CARE OF ON 2/28/2014. BUT ON 3/05/2014 AROUND 530PM ON THE PARKWAY GOING HOME FROM WORK MY JEEP STARTED TO HESITANT AND THEN AN EXIT AWAY MY SLIPPERY INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON AND IT MADE ME NERVOUS SO WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED THE JEEP CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLO…

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RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY TAKEN CARE OF ON 2/28/2014. BUT ON 3/05/2014 AROUND 530PM ON THE PARKWAY GOING HOME FROM WORK MY JEEP STARTED TO HESITANT AND THEN AN EXIT AWAY MY SLIPPERY INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON AND IT MADE ME NERVOUS SO WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED THE JEEP CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED SO I CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT HAPPEN AND THE RECEPTIONIST SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK. THAT WAS ABOUT 8 AM THEN I CALLED MY JOB TO LET THEM KNOW I'D BE LATE. IT WAS GOING ON ALMOST 10AM NO ONE CALLED SO I CALLED THEM AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME SOMEONE WILL CALL SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND THEN WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T LOOK AT MY CAR UNTIL MONDAY OR TUESDAY. I'M VERY UPSET BECAUSE I USE MY CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND I'M GOING TO MISS NOW 3 DAYS BECAUSE OF IT AND THEY WOULDNT EVEN GIVE ME A RENTAL SO I WOULDN'T MISS WORK. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF AS WELL AS THE SLIPPERY INDICATION LIGHT. HOW AM I GOING TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK NEXT WEEK? HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567952

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2014
Unknown Or Other

CHECKING TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563183

84,000 miles · Sep 8, 2013
Unknown Or Other

PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE CASING IS CRACKED ON FRONT DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR. PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE CASING IS COMPLETELY BROKEN ON LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR INTERIOR, CAUSING DOOR HANDLE TO HANG AND BE UNSAFE TO USE. NO INCIDENT CAUSED THIS OTHER THAN A PASSENGER SIMPLY TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT. AS IT REMAINS, THE REAR PASSENGER C…

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PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE CASING IS CRACKED ON FRONT DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR. PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE CASING IS COMPLETELY BROKEN ON LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR INTERIOR, CAUSING DOOR HANDLE TO HANG AND BE UNSAFE TO USE. NO INCIDENT CAUSED THIS OTHER THAN A PASSENGER SIMPLY TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT. AS IT REMAINS, THE REAR PASSENGER CAN NOT SAFELY EXIT THE CAR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10542511

93,000 miles · Sep 7, 2013
Unknown Or Other

INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILURE, DUE TO BREAKAGE OF PLASTIC SUPPORT/HOUSING. PRESENTS SAFETY HAZARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE. DOOR MAY ONLY BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10542406

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2012
Unknown Or Other

MY JEEP IS DOWN TO ONLY THE TWO FRONT DOOR HANDLES WHICH ARE COMPLETELY CRACKED AND READY TO BREAK OFF AT ANY TIME. THE REAR DOORS HAVE NO HANDLES AND POSE A SERIOUS RISK IF THE VEHICLE IS EVER IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED INSIDE. JEEP NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THEIR MISTAKE.

NHTSA ODI #10444457

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2012
Unknown Or Other

I OWN A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. AIR CONDITIONER WOULD ONLY FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN ON HIGH SETTING. IF I TRY TO PUT IT IN A LOWER SETTING THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUTS OFF. DEALER SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT A HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10444444

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2012
Unknown Or Other

ALL 4 INTERIOR DOOR OPENING HANDLES BREAKING/FAILING: 1 REAR DOOR TOTALLY INOPERABLE. ***THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE IF HANDLES BREAK OR ARE INOPERABLE IN CERTAIN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH!*** MANUFACTURER CHARGE TO REPLACE/REPAIR HANDLES IS PROHIBI…

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ALL 4 INTERIOR DOOR OPENING HANDLES BREAKING/FAILING: 1 REAR DOOR TOTALLY INOPERABLE. ***THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE IF HANDLES BREAK OR ARE INOPERABLE IN CERTAIN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH!*** MANUFACTURER CHARGE TO REPLACE/REPAIR HANDLES IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE: IN MY CASE, THE COST OF EIGHT (8) MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS! MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECALL WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443980

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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