IllustrationSERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY. NEXT TIME I FILLED MY TANK UP WITH GAS THE FUEL GAUGE DIDN'T REGISTER AND STAYED ON EMPTY. SINCE THEN IT HAS FLUCTUATED FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY AND DOES NOT CORRECTLY GAUGE THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. SES LIGHT REMAINS ON. *TR
2006 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
13625–50K
14750–75K
14775–100K
191100–150K
61150K+
720 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.
- Power Train. Review the 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 237 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
237 reports1. HAD JUST FILLED UP MY GAS TANK ON A ROAD TRIP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 2. THE FUEL GAGE READ EMPTY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS JUST FILLED. IT SCARED ME AS I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS A GAS LEAK. CHECKED AROUND AND DIDN'T SEE OR SMELL GAS SO CONTINUED ON HOME WITH SHOT NERVES. 3. HAD THE CHECK ENGINE CODE DIAGNOSED AND …
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1. HAD JUST FILLED UP MY GAS TANK ON A ROAD TRIP AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 2. THE FUEL GAGE READ EMPTY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS JUST FILLED. IT SCARED ME AS I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS A GAS LEAK. CHECKED AROUND AND DIDN'T SEE OR SMELL GAS SO CONTINUED ON HOME WITH SHOT NERVES. 3. HAD THE CHECK ENGINE CODE DIAGNOSED AND IT READ AS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE WEB THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED. IT WILL COST $500+ TO FIX.
6 MONTHS AGO MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE AND IT IS A P0463 CODE WHICH IS THE FUEL SENSOR. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE ALMOST $700 TO FIX. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF XTERRAS. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN AND THEY ADMIT IT IS…
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6 MONTHS AGO MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE AND IT IS A P0463 CODE WHICH IS THE FUEL SENSOR. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE ALMOST $700 TO FIX. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF XTERRAS. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN AND THEY ADMIT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD MOVE FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD MOVE FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FUEL SENSOR. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE, AUXILIARY TANK) SO SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. THE TECH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,000. UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB
MANY NISSAN 2006 XTERRA'S RECALLED FOR FUEL SENDING DEVICE NOT WORKING, IN OTHER WORDS, GAS GAGE DOES NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THEY ARE KEEPING RECORDS OF THOE NOT RECALLED, MAY BE FUTURE RECALLS. FUEL GAGE DOES NOT WORK. THEIR SONSUMER COMPLAINT LINE SAID STICK A STICK DOWN GAS TANK LINE TO SEE IF HAVE GAS, RIDICU…
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MANY NISSAN 2006 XTERRA'S RECALLED FOR FUEL SENDING DEVICE NOT WORKING, IN OTHER WORDS, GAS GAGE DOES NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THEY ARE KEEPING RECORDS OF THOE NOT RECALLED, MAY BE FUTURE RECALLS. FUEL GAGE DOES NOT WORK. THEIR SONSUMER COMPLAINT LINE SAID STICK A STICK DOWN GAS TANK LINE TO SEE IF HAVE GAS, RIDICULOUS. HOW DO I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT QUALIFY FOR RECALL.
FUEL SENDING UNIT ON A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, MALFUNCTION. SAME MODEL SAME YEAR AS CURRENT RECALL, BUT NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL NOTICE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK).…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPADTED 05/17/10.*JB
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK, THE NEEDLE WENT TO EMPTY, AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ASSUMED IT WAS A FUEL SENDING U…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK, THE NEEDLE WENT TO EMPTY, AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ASSUMED IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. AFTER RETURNING HOME, I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH LEAD ME TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AND I READ WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT CONFIRMED THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRA'S, FRONTIER'S, AND PATHFINDER'S SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. *DT
I WENT TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH GAS (WAS 3/4 EMPTY). AFTER FILL UP, THE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUED TO READ 1/4 TANK. *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 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
1DP12004 · 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.