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2002 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

97 reports with mileage · 60 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

19 reports
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54,000 miles · Jun 7, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTI…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10159266

38,000 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A REAR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON BEFORE THE CRASH TO INDICATE AIR BAG FAILURE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALSO HIT A FIRE HYDRANT. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10140965

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I OWNED A NISSAN XTERRA(02)4WD-I DROVE IT TO THE LASSEN NAT'L VOLCANIC PARK IN RED BLUFF,CA,I WAS ABOUT 300 FT FROM HIGHWAY 36 GOING TO THE PARK. IT WAS KIND OF CHILLY AND THE ROAD HAVE SOME SNOW ON IT. I WAS GOING SLOW ABOUT 13 TO 15 MILES, BECAUSE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ROAD, I WAS THINKING I'LL PUT ON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,B…

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I OWNED A NISSAN XTERRA(02)4WD-I DROVE IT TO THE LASSEN NAT'L VOLCANIC PARK IN RED BLUFF,CA,I WAS ABOUT 300 FT FROM HIGHWAY 36 GOING TO THE PARK. IT WAS KIND OF CHILLY AND THE ROAD HAVE SOME SNOW ON IT. I WAS GOING SLOW ABOUT 13 TO 15 MILES, BECAUSE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ROAD, I WAS THINKING I'LL PUT ON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,BUT I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND TRANSFER IT TO 4WD-WHEN I STARTED SLIDING TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINSIDE,SO STEPPED ON THE BRAKES(ABS) BUT I KEPT ON SLIDING, I DID NOT STEER IT TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION,I JUST WENT WHERE THE WAS GOING WHICH IS TO THE RIGHT,THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. IT HIT THE THE MOUNTAIN SIDE TREES AND SNOW THEN IT ROLLED OVER. MY SON AND ME WERE SHAKEN AND I SMELLED THE GAS SO I TURN THE ENGINE, IT STILL RUNNING. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE SURVIVED THE CRASH- WE WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS, WE GOT SOME BRUISE AN D BUMPS IN OUR HEAD,BUT A WEEK LATER I STILL FEEL ACHES AND PAINS-MY COMPLAINTS ARE THAT WHY DID OUR ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE AIRBAS DID NOT DEPLOY? LUCKY ENOUGH THAT WE WERE NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE OF THE DEEP CANYON WHEN IT HAPPENED. I ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10102344

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2004
Air Bags

PROBLEMS WITH CONTROL UNIT ON 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. *MR THE SRS LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE FIRST DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL BUT THE SECOND SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTOR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10079915

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2002
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT HAS REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT(DRIVER) TONGUE ASSEMBLY, AS A WAY OF CORRECTING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT. THIS WAS DONE ON 5-31-02. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THAT SAME DAY, BEFORE I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY THEN RESET THE COMPUTER. ON 8-9-02, I RETURNED …

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THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT HAS REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT(DRIVER) TONGUE ASSEMBLY, AS A WAY OF CORRECTING THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT. THIS WAS DONE ON 5-31-02. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THAT SAME DAY, BEFORE I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY THEN RESET THE COMPUTER. ON 8-9-02, I RETURNED TO DELARSHIP AGAIN, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON, 8-2-02. THE SERVICE DEPT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT PROBLEM AGAIN BY: R&R PILLAR COVER TRIM TO CHECK SEATBELT PRETENSIONER. THEY FOUND HARNESS WAS IN A BIND & WAS TAPED SHORT FRM THE FACTORY. CUT AWAY TAPE & PULLED SOME SLACK IN WIRE. THEN ON 8-14-02, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP & ADVISED THAT WHEN I BRING CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE ON 8-16-02, THEY NEED TO CORRECT THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT PROBLEM OR I WANT TO GET A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. I ALSO CALLED THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT, MY COMPLAINT# IS 3862334. I WAS ADVISED THEY WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP & ASSIST THEM IN REPAIRING PROBLEM OR IF IT CANT BE REPAIRED, THEN THEY WILL TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. I RESEARCHED YOUR WEB SITE TODAY & FOUND: PE02-038, NISSAN XTERRA 2002 PROBLEM HAS PREV BEEN REPORTED FOR THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. AT THIS POINT, I AM REQUESTING ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING A NEW VEHICLE, SINCE IT APPEARS THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM FOR THE 2002 XTERRA'S THAT WERE PREV SOLD. THANK YOU FOR YOU ASSISTANCE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765688

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Air BagsSuspension

ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. INNER SEAL ON AXLE BEARING HAD FAILED. CONSUMER NOTICED GEAR OIL AROUND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, DEALER ST…

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ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO STATED REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. INNER SEAL ON AXLE BEARING HAD FAILED. CONSUMER NOTICED GEAR OIL AROUND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE AND THE COIL WIRE FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8015449

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Air BagsSteering

WHILE APPLYING UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY WITHOUT WARNING HEARED A LOUD NOISE, CAUSING DRIVERS AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8007659

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 35-40MPH VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NEITHER DRIVER SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK *YH. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*JG

NHTSA ODI #8005099

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2001
Air Bags

AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. UPON DIAGNOSTIC READING, THE SAID THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF INDICATOR STARTED BLINKING AGAIN. THE LIGHT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR THE REST OF THAT DAY, BUT THE LIGHT STARTED BLICKING AGAIN AFTER STARTING THE VEHICL…

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AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. UPON DIAGNOSTIC READING, THE SAID THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IF INDICATOR STARTED BLINKING AGAIN. THE LIGHT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY FOR THE REST OF THAT DAY, BUT THE LIGHT STARTED BLICKING AGAIN AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #755442

Official recalls

5

10V554000 · Steering:column

Nov 11, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

03V061000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 27, 2003

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V298000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V299000 · Suspension:rear

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD 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

3

DP03005 · Brake Rotor Warpage

Opened Jul 11, 2003 · Closed Jul 29, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

MR. KENT JONES OF KERNERSVILLE, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION TO NHTSA BY E-MAIL DATED JULY 1, 2003, REQUESTING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS IN THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE ROTORS OVERHEAT AND WARP FROM NORMAL USAGE.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATABASE FOR COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 2001 THROUGH MY 2003 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES IDENTIFIED ONLY TWO REPORTS RELATED TO BRAKE ROTOR WARPING; ONE FOR A MY 2001 AND ONE FOR A MY 2002.THE COMPLAINT FOR THE MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA WAS REPORTED BY THE PETITIONER.BRAKE ROTOR WARPING CAN RESULT IN BRAKE PULSATION AND SHAKING WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED.BRAKE PULSATION, TIRE OR SUSPENSION VIBRATION, AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE AN OBVIOUS ANNOYANCE TO THE DRIVER, BUT GENERALLY DO NOT CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF A VEHICLE.FURTHERMORE, EVEN IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, ANY POTENTIAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WILL BE NEGLIGIBLE. THEREFORE, THIS CONDITION DOES NOT NORMALLY CONSTITUTE A SAFETY DEFECT, EVEN IF IT OCCURS WITH FAR MORE OFTEN FREQUENCY. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF AN ALLEGED SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER IN THE MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES AT THE CONCLUSION OF AN INVESTIGATION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

EA02020 · Driver's Air Bag System Failure

Opened Aug 29, 2002 · Closed Mar 3, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 21, 2003 TO NHTSA, NISSAN STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 27,385 MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/12/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 11/1/01 AS WELL AS APPROXIMATELY 37,177 MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/13/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 10/25/01.VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER THESE DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.NISSAN STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE FULLY SECURED TO THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SQUIB PIN CONNECTOR DUE TO THE RETAINING GROOVE IN THE MODULE NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT DEPTH TO HOLD THE CONNECTOR IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION.A RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.SEE RECALL 03V-061 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

PE02038 · Driver's Air Bag System Malfunction

Opened Mar 26, 2002 · Closed Aug 29, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

No summary supplied.