Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
1525–50K
1550–75K
1275–100K
12100–150K
3150K+
99 reports with mileage · 26 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 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
125 reports
569,690 miles · May 10, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemCrash
AS I STARTED TO APPLY GAS THE FOOT PEDAL ACCELERATOR MOVED TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN LEAVING THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND LAUNCHING ME THROUGH A CYCLONE FENCE. AT 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY FROM FENCE IS WHEN THE PEDDLE WHEN TO FLOOR. I STOMPED ON THE BREAK AND STOPPED THE TRUCK. PLEASE NOTE. THE MAT DID NOT MAKE THE PEDDLE STICK IT MOVED ON…
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AS I STARTED TO APPLY GAS THE FOOT PEDAL ACCELERATOR MOVED TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN LEAVING THE BOTTOM OF MY FOOT AND LAUNCHING ME THROUGH A CYCLONE FENCE. AT 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY FROM FENCE IS WHEN THE PEDDLE WHEN TO FLOOR. I STOMPED ON THE BREAK AND STOPPED THE TRUCK. PLEASE NOTE. THE MAT DID NOT MAKE THE PEDDLE STICK IT MOVED ON ITS OWN TO FULL THROTTLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324045
130,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #11316393
85,000 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Steering
THE STEERING IN THE TRUCK HAS TIGHT SPOTS. AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED THERE ARE PLACES WHERE IT SEEMS TO BIND AND GET STIFF THEN SUDDENLY LOOSEN AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY SHOWED ME THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE JOINT IS BADLY CORRODED AND BINDS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS. …
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THE STEERING IN THE TRUCK HAS TIGHT SPOTS. AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED THERE ARE PLACES WHERE IT SEEMS TO BIND AND GET STIFF THEN SUDDENLY LOOSEN AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY SHOWED ME THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE JOINT IS BADLY CORRODED AND BINDS IN CERTAIN POSITIONS. LUBRICATING IT HAS HELPED A SMALL AMOUNT TEMPORARILY. THE STEERING FEELS STRANGE AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHEN STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #11309965
80,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH THE HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER UNIT BECAME INOPERABLE AS SMOKE WAS ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WIRES WERE MELTED AND DISCONNECTED THE WIRES FROM THE COUPLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT (2525 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH THE HEATER/ AIR CONDITIONER UNIT BECAME INOPERABLE AS SMOKE WAS ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WIRES WERE MELTED AND DISCONNECTED THE WIRES FROM THE COUPLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF KINGSPORT (2525 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT, TN 37660) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATED]. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11308511
116,000 miles · Feb 4, 2020
Steering
STEERING IS VERY TIGHT DUE TO POORLY MADE U JOINT ON THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WAS QUOTED $460 BY TOYOTA TO REPLACE. I FEEL LIKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE RECTIFIED FREE OF CHARGE THROUGH A TSB OR RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11307115
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2020
Unknown Or Other
AC IS GOING ON AND OFF WHEN AC IS TURNED ON
NHTSA ODI #11300453
1 miles · Dec 20, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System
FAULTY SECONDARY AIR PUMP OR SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE. LOST POWER IN MOTION ON CITY STREET
NHTSA ODI #11290242
94,200 miles · Nov 2, 2019
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT'S NOT GETTING CORRECT POWER AND FEELS LIKE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER IS LAGGING THE THE VEHICLE BACK. THIS ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS AT 40 MPH AND FEELS AS IF VEHICLE MY DIE GOING 40MPH DOWN THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #11277661
91,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED LEFT IN HER PATH CAUSING A COLLISION. THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED LEFT IN HER PATH CAUSING A COLLISION. THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK AND RIGHT KNEE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHIPLASH, AND SORENESS TO THE BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. *TT PHOTOS ATTACHED *JB*DT THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11265490
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
ON AUGUST 17, 2019, I HAD BEEN STOPPED AT A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WHEN I HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE STEAM COMING FROM THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOTICEABLE ENOUGH TO HAVE ME GET DOWN AND PHYSICALLY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT SEE ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS OF DAMAGE OR ERROR, SO I WENT AB…
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ON AUGUST 17, 2019, I HAD BEEN STOPPED AT A DRIVE THROUGH FAST FOOD RESTAURANT WHEN I HEARD A HISSING SOUND AND WHAT LOOKED LIKE STEAM COMING FROM THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY TRUCK. IT WAS NOTICEABLE ENOUGH TO HAVE ME GET DOWN AND PHYSICALLY LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT SEE ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS OF DAMAGE OR ERROR, SO I WENT ABOUT MY DAY AS USUAL. I HAVE NOTICED SINCE THEN, THIS NOISE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND THE A/C IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I PARKED THE TRUCK FOR THREE WEEKS AND WHEN I WENT TO START THE TRUCK, A BUNCH OF INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, WIPERS WERE WIPING AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING OFF AND ON. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT START SO I HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY CHARGED. NOW THE VEHICLE'S REAR BLINKERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND STEREO WILL NOT TURN ON. FUSES SEEM ALRIGHT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE THAT CONTINUOUSLY POPS WHEN REPLACED (FUSE FOR STEREO).
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.
Consequence: If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Toyota and Lexus dealers will update the software for the Skid Control electronic control unit, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Tacoma vehicles manufactured July 1, 2013, through October 11, 2013. The engines of the affected vehicles contain valve springs that may break over time.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the valve springs break, the engine could fail and stall while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Tacoma vehicles equipped with 18" Maverick Alloy Wheels. In the affected vehicles, the spare tire requires the use of a different style of lug nut to attach it to the vehicle than the other wheels use. These lug nuts were not provided with the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the spare tire/wheel is installed on the vehicle using the lug nuts from another wheel, damage to the wheel could result and may eventually lead to a loose wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will: (a) Install a Warning Label on the spare tire/wheel, (b) supply a bag containing proper spare wheel lug nuts, and (c) place an Owner's Manual Addendum in the vehicle's glove box. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact SET at 1-954-429-2000.
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
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
EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
2013 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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