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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.

About this comparison →

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, Other complaints

61 reports
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83,000 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD READ INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE GAUGE WOULD READ THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL WHEN IT WAS EMPTY AND EMPTY WHEN FULL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD READ INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE GAUGE WOULD READ THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL WHEN IT WAS EMPTY AND EMPTY WHEN FULL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10339403

59,100 miles · Jun 20, 2010
Fuel System, Other

RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2006 AND 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDERS ABOUT HOW THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK…

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RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2006 AND 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDERS ABOUT HOW THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO NUMBER TIMES EXCEPT I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WHICH HAS THE SAME IDENTICAL PART IN THE 2006. THIS HAPPENS TO ME EVERYTIME WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE REACHES A LITTLE BELOW THE HALF WAY MARK. IT READS IT HAS ABOUT 100 SOME OFF MILES UNTIL EMPTY. WHEN I GET UP FOR WORK IN THE MORNING THE AND START THE VEHICLE THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE GOES BELOW EMPTY AND THE FUEL GAUGE LITES UP. I FEEL SINCE THE 2006 AND 2008 HAS BEEN RECALLED AND ITS HAPPENING TO MY 2005 MODEL ALSO, THAT IT NEEDS TO BE PUT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339232

70,000 miles · Jun 18, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTING SHAKING AS IF SHE WAS DRIVING OVER A GROOVED PAVEMENT. SHE DROVE HOME A PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING FLUIDS.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTING SHAKING AS IF SHE WAS DRIVING OVER A GROOVED PAVEMENT. SHE DROVE HOME A PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED REPLACING BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING FLUIDS. THE COST FOR THE REPAIRS WAS $5,900. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS GAUGE HAD PREVIOUSLY STOPPED WORKING AND SHE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10336935

45,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Fuel System, Other

FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON 05' NISSAN PATHFINDER. RECALL ON ALL OTHER 05'-09' NISSANS, BUT PATHFINDERS. FUEL GAUGE NOT READING CORRECTLY. CAN HAVE FULL TANK AND READS EMPTY. NOW HAVE TO WORK OFF OF MILEAGE. HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I REALLY HAVE. ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. DEALERSHIP SAID $4…

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FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON 05' NISSAN PATHFINDER. RECALL ON ALL OTHER 05'-09' NISSANS, BUT PATHFINDERS. FUEL GAUGE NOT READING CORRECTLY. CAN HAVE FULL TANK AND READS EMPTY. NOW HAVE TO WORK OFF OF MILEAGE. HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I REALLY HAVE. ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. DEALERSHIP SAID $400 FOR NEW PART , NOT INCLUDING LABOR. GAUGE HAS BEEN WORKING IMPROPERLY FOR AT LEAST 3 YRS. NOW. NO WARRANTY FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336662

88,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A SHUDDERING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEN TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A SHUDDERING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEN TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT 50,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,562.

NHTSA ODI #10336383

46,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS READING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ EMPTY FUEL LEVELS WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL WITH GASOLINE. AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES, THE INDICATOR WOULD RESET ITSELF AND THEN THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE DEALER A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS READING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ EMPTY FUEL LEVELS WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL WITH GASOLINE. AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES, THE INDICATOR WOULD RESET ITSELF AND THEN THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE DEALER ADVISED BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10336217

76,000 miles · Jun 10, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER XE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS FULL; YET, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD REPAIRED FOR $500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOW…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER XE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS FULL; YET, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD REPAIRED FOR $500. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10335702

87,000 miles · Jun 3, 2010
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE THAT ALSO HAVE A FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. NISSAN RECALL 2006 AND UP WHAT HAPPEN TO THE 2005 THEY ARE THE SAME MODEL NOW I HAVE PAY OUT OF MY POCKET. STICK TO OUR AMERICAN CARS AND TRUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334433

75,000 miles · May 29, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IPDM FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AT 70 MPH WITH NO WARNING. LOST ALL POWER AND LEFT FAMILY STRANDED ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED HOME THEN TO NISSAN WHERE THEY ADMITTED ALOT OF SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER 2005 PATHFINDERS. NOW FUEL SENSOR FAILED ON PATHFINDER WHICH NISSAN HAS RECALLED FOR 2006-2008 …

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IPDM FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AT 70 MPH WITH NO WARNING. LOST ALL POWER AND LEFT FAMILY STRANDED ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD CAR TOWED HOME THEN TO NISSAN WHERE THEY ADMITTED ALOT OF SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER 2005 PATHFINDERS. NOW FUEL SENSOR FAILED ON PATHFINDER WHICH NISSAN HAS RECALLED FOR 2006-2008 PATHFINDERS FOR SAME REASON BUT NOT 2005 PATHFINDERS WITH SAME PROBLEMS. CAR IS ALMOST 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS HAD 4 BATTERIES AND HAS LEFT US STRANDED 6 TIMES ALL FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT ARE POSTED ON THE INTERNET AS A HUGE CONSUMER PROBLEM WITH PATHFINDERS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IN A NISSAN UNLESS GOVERNMENT TAKES A LOOK AT THESE PROBLEMS. ALL INTERNET POSTINGS ARE REGARDING SAME ISSUES IPDM MODULE AND THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10333817

52,000 miles · May 28, 2010
Fuel System, OtherPower Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. 52,000 MILES. WITH TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. IT VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 45-50 MPH. WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A LEAKING RADIATOR WHICH LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINS IT. GAS GAUGE THAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332643

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.