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2005 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

956 reports with mileage · 94 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 585 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 186 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

186 reports
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65,460 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

OUR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD AN ISSUE WITH ITS FUEL GAUGE RECENTLY WHERE THE GAUGE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND TELL US THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE CAR. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND BASED ON THE FORUMS AND RESPONSES IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT ALL PATHFINDER MODELS FROM 2005-2008 HAS THIS PROBLEM OCCUR. WHICH SEEM…

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OUR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD AN ISSUE WITH ITS FUEL GAUGE RECENTLY WHERE THE GAUGE WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY AND TELL US THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE CAR. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND BASED ON THE FORUMS AND RESPONSES IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT ALL PATHFINDER MODELS FROM 2005-2008 HAS THIS PROBLEM OCCUR. WHICH SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR AND YOU COULD RUN OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. NISSAN RECALLED TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, QUEST (2005-2008), AND ALSO FOUNTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER (BUT ONLY CARS MANUFACTURED JAN-MARC 2006 AND OCT 2007-JAN 2008) FOR THIS ISSUE. WE TOOK OUR CAR TO NISSAN OF EASTSIDE TO GET THIS LOOKED AT AND IT IS GOING TO COST US $535 + TAX. NISSAN OF EASTSIDE SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHY 2005 PATHFINDERS WERE NOT RECALLED, AND IT IS THE SAME PART THAT THE OTHER CARS THAT WERE RECALLED HAD REPLACED. CAN YOU HELP US FIND OUT WHY 2005 PATHFINDERS WERE NOT PART OF THIS RECALL? I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS SAME PART FOR 2005, BUT WERE NOT REIMBURSING FOR REPAIR SINCE IT WAS NOT PART OF RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SEEMS TO EFFECT 2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350766

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND IT IS THE SAME PART THAT WAS RECALLED IN THE 2006 PATHFINDERS!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350571

73,200 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT HAS FAILED ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER CAUSING THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE TO PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE MONTH AGO. SINCE THEN MY FUEL GAUGE HAS PROVIDED INACCURATE GAS LEVEL READINGS POTENTIALLY CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NOT YET ATTEMPTED TO GET…

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THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT HAS FAILED ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER CAUSING THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE TO PROVIDE INACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE MONTH AGO. SINCE THEN MY FUEL GAUGE HAS PROVIDED INACCURATE GAS LEVEL READINGS POTENTIALLY CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE NOT YET ATTEMPTED TO GET THE PART FIXED, BUT AFTER DOING SOME ON-LINE RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $500 TO FIX. THE PROBLEM IS, APPARENTLY, RELATIVELY WIDESPREAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350561

40,000 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR... DOESN'T WORK. AND 'CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT' GOES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349270

49,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

ON A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY WITH ONLY 49,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ALSO LESS THAN 5 YRS OLD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AT SAME TIME AND REMAINS ON EVEN AFTER DEALER SERVICING FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN VIA EMAIL TWICE, AND ONCE OVER THE PHONE, NISSAN WI…

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ON A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY WITH ONLY 49,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS ALSO LESS THAN 5 YRS OLD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AT SAME TIME AND REMAINS ON EVEN AFTER DEALER SERVICING FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN VIA EMAIL TWICE, AND ONCE OVER THE PHONE, NISSAN WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT (ACCORDING TO INTERNET REPORTS) HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO DRIVERS RUNNING OUT OF GAS, THUS WALKING ON FREEWAYS; WITH THEIR VEHICLES EITHER BLOCKING TRAFFIC OR PARKED ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE HELP! NISSAN IS NEGLIGENT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348915

44,300 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY GAS GAUGE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING (INDICATED EMPTY) AFTER I FILLED THE TANK AND THEN IT WOULD SEEM TO START WORKING AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS. IT HAPPENS EACH TIME I FILL THE TANK. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ONCE EVEN THOUGH THE INDICATOR SAID I HAD A HALF TANK. I TOOK IT TO SOUTHERN STATES NISSAN IN RALEIGH AND THEY SAID…

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MY GAS GAUGE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING (INDICATED EMPTY) AFTER I FILLED THE TANK AND THEN IT WOULD SEEM TO START WORKING AGAIN AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS. IT HAPPENS EACH TIME I FILL THE TANK. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ONCE EVEN THOUGH THE INDICATOR SAID I HAD A HALF TANK. I TOOK IT TO SOUTHERN STATES NISSAN IN RALEIGH AND THEY SAID THE FIX WOULD COST OVER $400. I DID NOT GET IT FIXED SO I JUST HOPE IT WILL HAVE GAS EVEN THOUGH THE TANK WILL READ HALF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348256

51,000 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR (FUEL TANK IS FULL, GAGE READ 1/4 OR HALF) AND THIS LEADS ME TO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS 51,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347942

60,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT USED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 60,000 MILES. THE FUEL LEVEL WILL READ EMPTY EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FILLED UP. IT ALSO DISPLAYS A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THE…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT USED. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 60,000 MILES. THE FUEL LEVEL WILL READ EMPTY EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FILLED UP. IT ALSO DISPLAYS A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MY FIRST CONCERN IS THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOOSING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT SOMETHING ELSE COULD GO WRONG WITH THE ENGINE BUT I WOULD NEVER KNOW BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON DUE TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY DRIVEN BY MY WIFE WITH MY INFANT SON SO MY MOST SERIOUS CONCERN IS THAT THEY COULD BECOME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS EVEN POSTED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB07-069A CONCERNING THE FAULTY PART. THE FAULT CODE IS P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346778

45,000 miles · Jul 31, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILS... THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS SIMILAR ISSUE ON THE 2006 AND 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHOULD BE INCLUDED ALSO FOR THE SAME REASON. THE VEHICLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS DUE TO THE FAILED GAS LEVEL SENSOR AND RESULT IN A CRASH. MY 2005 PATHFINDER FUE…

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILS... THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS SIMILAR ISSUE ON THE 2006 AND 2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHOULD BE INCLUDED ALSO FOR THE SAME REASON. THE VEHICLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS DUE TO THE FAILED GAS LEVEL SENSOR AND RESULT IN A CRASH. MY 2005 PATHFINDER FUEL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. SHOULDN'T THE FAILURE IN THE 2005 NISSAN VEHICLES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL AS WELL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346520

70,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V075000. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT SHOWS THE VEHICLE HAS GASOLINE WHEN IT IS EMPTY. THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE "THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." I HAVE FILED TWO …

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V075000. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT SHOWS THE VEHICLE HAS GASOLINE WHEN IT IS EMPTY. THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE "THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." I HAVE FILED TWO COMPLAINTS WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345881

Official recalls

2

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 28, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 29, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

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

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.