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2005 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →
845Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
157
200272
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
2008
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
412Fuel System, Gasoline
242Engine And Engine Cooling
167Engine
114Fuel System, Other
49
All reported categories
Electrical System
39Fuel/propulsion System
32Unknown Or Other
25Air Bags
19Vehicle Speed Control
12Steering
10Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Suspension
8Equipment
6Structure
4Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Trailer Hitches
3Child Seat
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

770 reports with mileage · 75 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 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 242 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

845 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2016
Power Train

THE WELL KNOWN LEAKING RADIATOR ISSUE THAT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION. BOTH MUST BE REPLACED. BUT OF COURSE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY COVERED DATES. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED 100%, SHAME ON NISSAN FOR IGNORING THE ISSUE. WHEN SITES ARE POSTING "AVOID AT ALL COST",…

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THE WELL KNOWN LEAKING RADIATOR ISSUE THAT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION. BOTH MUST BE REPLACED. BUT OF COURSE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY COVERED DATES. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED 100%, SHAME ON NISSAN FOR IGNORING THE ISSUE. WHEN SITES ARE POSTING "AVOID AT ALL COST", SHOULD BECOME A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10872454

66,000 miles · May 25, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED, HESITATED, AND LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED, HESITATED, AND LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A HUMMING NOISE WAS PRESENT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10870738

87,000 miles · May 24, 2016
Power Train

A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR OCCURRED ALLOWING COOLANT IN TO THE TRANSMISSION MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THANKFULLY, THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT START. HOWEVER, WE DID "JUMP" THE STARTER AND THE CAR CREPT HOME WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION CAPABILITIES.

NHTSA ODI #10870472

68,400 miles · May 22, 2016
EnginePower Train

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER WITH APPROX 64,000 MILES. AFTER 2 DAYS AND LESS THAN 200 MILES THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS A HORRIBLE RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT S…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER WITH APPROX 64,000 MILES. AFTER 2 DAYS AND LESS THAN 200 MILES THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS A HORRIBLE RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT SOFTENED AS THE CAR WARMED UP. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT BOTH OF THE MORE COMMON COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR RAISED THEIR UGLY HEADS AT THE SAME TIME: TRANSMISSION AND TIMING CHAINS!! I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $8-9,000. THANK GOD FOR AFTERMARKET WARRANTY. ANYWAY... IF NISSAN DOES NOT INTEND TO ISSUE A RECALL, THERE SHOULD BE A DISCLOSURE ON CARFAX/AUTOCHECK/ETC FOR THESE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10870203

109,000 miles · May 9, 2016
Power Train

MY RADIATOR BROKE AND LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO MY TRANSMISSION RUINING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION IN THE RADIATOR TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT AND SO DID THE ENGINE RESULT $2600 TRANSMISSION BOUGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10863848

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other

CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. VEHICLE HAS 102K MILES ON IT AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 86K MILES AND WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL OR LAWSUIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH A NISSAN I LOST THOUSAND TRADING IN A ALMOST NEW …

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CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. VEHICLE HAS 102K MILES ON IT AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 86K MILES AND WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL OR LAWSUIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH A NISSAN I LOST THOUSAND TRADING IN A ALMOST NEW NISSAN ULTIMA 2007 PREVIOUSLY DUE TO CONSTANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW THIS TRANSMISSION HAS SEIZED UP AND THE RADIATOR IS FULL OF GUNK. THIS SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL AND REPAIR ON THE PART OF NISSAN THEY KNOW THEIR DESIGN CAUSED THE PROBLEM. WE STILL OWE $$$ ON THIS CAR AND WILL RUIN OUR CREDIT BY TURNING IT IN AND CANNOT AFFORD THE $6K COST TO REPAIR THIS. THE DEAL THEY DID STILL LEFT THE CONSUMER HOLDING THE BAG FOR THEIR BAD DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #10863696

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANMISSION

NHTSA ODI #10863232

78,000 miles · May 3, 2016
Engine

MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA HAD LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND WENT INTO MY TRANSMISSON. NOW THE TRUCK DID NOT RUN. I CONTACTED NISSAN WHEN THE TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT BUT THEY REFUSED TO FIX DUE TO MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10862715

102,000 miles · Apr 27, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED AN OIL AND COOLANT MIXTURE, WHICH DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED AN OIL AND COOLANT MIXTURE, WHICH DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10861696

116,000 miles · Apr 13, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT INTO REVERSE, COSTS $3850. A FEW DAYS AFTER WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE STARTING RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW THAT TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE IN THE RADIATOR WAS ALLOWING COOLANT TO GET TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS VOIDED ANY WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION…

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TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT INTO REVERSE, COSTS $3850. A FEW DAYS AFTER WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE STARTING RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW THAT TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE IN THE RADIATOR WAS ALLOWING COOLANT TO GET TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS VOIDED ANY WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT HE HAD GIVEN ME AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, THRU SOME RESEARCH I SEE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE AND BESIDES THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BE THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT I'M SURE THERE ARE AT LEAST TWICE AS MANY THAT DIDNT BOTHER TO VOICE A COMPLAINT, DUE TO THE FACT THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, NOR DOES IT LOOK LIKE ANYTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS NO MATTER HOW OBVIOUS IT IS THAT THERE SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT SOMEONE OR MAYBE MORE HAVE BEEN COMPENSATED TO ENSURE THIS ISSUE WASNT PURSUED BY ANYONE THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10855347

Official recalls

3

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.

05V458000 · Trailer Hitches

Oct 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. 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.