2005 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,091 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 48 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 62 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingNov 14, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.
IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsOct 25, 2007
CERTAIN TYC HALOGEN TYPE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/N 20-6644-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PHOTOMETRIC WERE MISALIGNED WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
GENERA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GENERA AT 714-522-6688.
Campaign 07E087000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
351 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR
Structure, Mar 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Structure, Feb 11, 2014
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE), AN HOUR LATER I WAS NOTIFIED FROM THE MECHANIC WITH PHOTOS OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER ((((SHOCKED))). HE SAID THE FLOOR PANS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. EXPLAINING THIS FURTHER, HE SAID HE COULD PUT A SCREWDRIVER THROUGH THE RUSTED AREA INTO THE CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THAT IT WAS ALMOST TO THAT SAME POINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS OVER MILEAGE AND OUT OF WARRANTY. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND GAVE ME SOME OPTIONS TO FIX MY CAR......UNREAL AND COSTLY!!!! THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY SCARY TO THINK THAT THE FLOOR PANS COULD RUST OUT AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE SENSELESS FATALITIES. I FURTHER INVESTIGATED AND AFTER VIEWING ONLINE COMPLAINTS WAS DISTURBED TO SE THIS IS A WORLDWIDE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Structure, Jan 22, 2014
FLOOR BOARDS ARE GETTING RUSTY PER STATE INSPECTION. *TR
Structure, Jan 16, 2014
THE FLOOR PAN FOR MY NISSAN ALTIMA HAVE RUSTED OUT MAKING IT DANGEROUS. AFTER SPENDING 5 MINS ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THIS IS VERY COMMON, AFFECTING 1,000'S OF 2005 ALTIMAS. IT IS ALWAYS IN THE SAME SPOT AND NISSAN REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HOLES ALLOW EXHAUST FUMES INTO MY CAR, MAKING DANGEROUS FOR MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN CAR. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Structure, Jan 13, 2014
WE NOTICED RUST COLORED STAINS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WHERE MY CAR IS PARKED, SO MY HUSBAND JACKED UP THE CAR AND SAW A HUGE RUSTED AREA IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. IT WAS SO BADLY CORRODED THAT HE EASILY PUT HIS FOOT THROUGH IT! WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 ALTIMA NEW IN 12/2004 AND IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WASHED AND DETAILED REGULARLY. APPARENTLY WE ARE NOT ALONE BASED ON WHAT WE'VE READ ONLINE. A NINE YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED OUT LIKE THAT! *TR
Structure, Jan 3, 2014
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED COMPLETELY THOUGH, HOLES IN FLOOR. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. *TR
Structure, Dec 26, 2013
FLOORS ON BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SIDES OF MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. *TR
Structure, Dec 8, 2013
DURING A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION, MY MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH OF MY FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE FROM OTHER PEOPLE. *TR
Structure, Nov 30, 2013
FLOORPAN ON THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTING THROUGH! CAR HAS LESS THAN 100K MILES ON IT AND WAS A CAR-FAX ONE OWNER! *TR
Structure, Nov 19, 2013
MY FLOOR OF MY CAR HAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO NISSAN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FLOORBOARD HAS RUSTED SO BAD IT IS NOT SAFE TO PUT ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS CAR IS WELL CARED FOR, GARAGED NIGHTLY, WASHED WEEKLY AND ALL MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENTS KEPT. IT HAS ONE DRIVER OVER AGE 60 SO IT IS NOT USED FOR SPEED OR DERBY DRIVING. I DID NOT BUILD THIS CAR AND AS I AM NOT AN AUTO SERVICE PERSON WOULD HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT MY UNDERCARRIAGE AND FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. THEY HAVE PLACED MY CAR ON THE BLOCKS AND LIFTED EVERY TIME YET NEVER TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS NEGLIGENCE OF THE HIGHEST FORM AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REMAINED SILENT ABOUT A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. AS A LAYPERSON I HAVE BEEN FRAUD AND MY SAFETY JEOPARDIZED FOR THE SAKE OF SAVING A FEW DOLLARS. I WILL NOW TAKE THIS PROBLEM PUBLIC TO ANY AND EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN. I ASK AND ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO HEAR THE COMPLAINTS OF CONSUMERS AND REQUIRE NISSAN MAKE THIS RIGHT. OBVIOUSLY THESE FLOORBOARDS WERE NOT TREATED FOR RUST PROTECTION. I AM NOT A LITIGIOUS PERSON BUT WILL NOW SEEK TO BECOME ONE AS A RESULT OF THIS GRAVE ACT OF NEGLIGENCE. *TR
Structure, Nov 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Structure, Oct 24, 2013
AFTER READING SOME BLOGS ABOUT PEOPLE DISCUSSING NISSAN ALTIMA FLOORBOARD RUST ISSUES, I CHECKED MY 2005 ALTIMA SER AND NOTICED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT APPEARS THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO NHTSA AND TO NISSAN BUT NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE EXHAUST FUMES CAN ENTER THE CABIN. *TR
Structure, Oct 20, 2013
RUSTED FLOORBOARDS. *TR
Structure, Oct 19, 2013
THE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE BUT IS THROUGH THE FLOOR. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES REPORTED FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT STEMS FROM A DESIGN FLAW THAT LEAVES AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN 2 PLATES ON E FLOOR BOARDS SUCH THAT RUST WILL INEVITABLY FORM IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS WINTER. UPON ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD MY CONCERN BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OPUS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THEIR DESIGN FLAW THAT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE (FUMES MAY ENTER THE CABIN) BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE RUST CLEARLY FORMED MANY YEARS AGO BUT WAS NOT RECOGNIZED WHILE THE WARRANTY WAS STILL VALID. *TR
Structure, Oct 12, 2013
UNDERCARRIAGE RUST (2005 ALTIMA 3.5 SE) - THANKFULLY I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AT A NEW PLACE WHERE THEY USE A LIFT VERSUS JUST SERVICING FROM UNDERNEATH THE SERVICE DECK.ONCE THE CAR WAS RAISED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH!! MY UNCLE HAD JUST TOLD ME HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH HIS 2004 MAXIMA. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR US NISSAN OWNERS. I FIND IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE NISSAN WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. HOW CAN THE CARS NOT HAVE ANY RUST ANYWHERE ELSE, BUT SPECIFIC PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER UNDERCARRIAGE AREAS?? WHAT A SAFETY HAZARD! PLEASE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY NISSAN AND DO THE RIGHT THING!! *TR
Structure, Sep 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Structure, Sep 20, 2013
TOOK CAR FOR STATE INSPECTION ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE CARPET. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED A LONG TIME AGO. *TR
Structure, Sep 10, 2013
WHILE GETTING THE OIL CHANGED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN WAS FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST. TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE. THEY CONFIRMED THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL AND WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER WATER DRAINAGE. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS ABOUT 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR RUST WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY ACTION AND URGED ME TO CREATE AN INCIDENT REPORT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE. I DID, AND UPON REVIEW OF THE CASE, NISSAN'S REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO GET REPAIRED ON MY DOLLAR. I UNDERSTAND CARS RUST, BUT THERE IS NO WAY THE RUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. BASED ON THE EXTENT OF THE RUST, THE FLOOR PAN WAS MOST LIKELY SEVERELY RUSTED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE RUST WARRANTY. NISSAN SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD AND MODEL SPECIFIC. NISSAN SHOULD NOT ONLY FIX THOSE VEHICLES WHERE THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY A GOOD SAMARITAN CHANGING THE OIL. I FEEL PENALIZED FOR NOT PERSONALLY CLIMBING UNDER MY CAR AND PERIODICALLY INSPECTING IT. SUFFICE IT TO SAY, THERE IS ONLY CARPET SEPARATING THE PASSENGERS FEET AND THE PAVEMENT BELOW. NOT A REASSURING FEELING..... *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2013
RECENTLY WHILE GETTING NEW TIRES INSTALLED AT A TIRE SHOP, I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS FLOOR PAN RUST ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. THIS RUST COULDN'T OF HAPPENED OVERNIGHT SINCE THE RUST IS ABOUT TO BREAK THROUGH THE CARPET AS IF IT WERE A 15-20 YR. OLD CAR. THE RUST IS LOCATED IN THE SAME SPOT ON EACH SIDE BY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR MATS. ON A SHOP LIFT YOU CAN SEE THAT THE RUST INITIALLY FORMED ON EACH SIDE WHERE THE DRAIN HOLES WERE INSTALLED. AT NISSAN'S REQUEST, I TOOK MY CAR (BOUGHT NEW) TO THE NEAREST NISSAN FOR INSPECTION. MY COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE WAS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON FLOOR PAN RUST AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN I.E THE SEAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND ALSO CARBON DIOXIDE COULD GET INSIDE THE CAR. I ALSO MENTIONED THAT I WAS AWARE ANY KIND OF RUST WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE REASON FOR THE RUST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LIVING IN HIGH SALT STATE. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW BY NISSAN AND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON MAINLY 2ND GEN. ALTIMAS HAVING THIS ADV. FLOOR PAN RUST IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS!! IF THE RUST WAS SPORADIC, THEN SALT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE A CAUSE, AND IF WET SNOWY SHOES WAS THE PROBLEM THEN THERE WOULD BE RUST UNDER THE REAR FLOOR PANS. AS A RESULT, AS NOTED ON THE NISSAN FORUM WEBSITE, A MORE VALID CAUSE IS DESIGN FLAW, DRAIN HOLES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ALLOWING WATER TO CONGREGATE AND RUST TO FORM. AFTER NISSAN INVESTIGATED MY FILE,THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. NOT EVEN PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE.THIS 2ND GENERATION ALTIMA FLOOR PAN RUST IS SO COMMON THAT EVEN MY NEIGHBOR'S 05 ALTIMA HAS THE SAME RUST SPOTS AS WELL. WHAT ALSO DISAPPOINTS ME IS THAT I HAVE HAD ALL OF MY OIL CHANGES DONE BY NISSAN AND RUST WAS NEVER MENTIONED ONCE.
Structure, Aug 28, 2013
FLOOR BOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT HAS RUSTED SEVERELY. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE TO HOFFMAN NISSAN IN WEST SIMSBURY CT AT LEAST TWICE EVERY YEAR AND THEY NEVER MENTIONED A PROBLEM. THIS IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RUST AFTER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT THE LOCAL GARAGE WHO RECOMMENDED AN AUTO BODY SHOP DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD THE AUTO BODY SHOP LOOK AT IT TODAY 8/28/13. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 3 TO 5 YEARS. THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERY TIME IT WAS PUT ON A LIFT IT WAS OBVIOUS. WHAT DO THEY LOOK AT FOR SAFETY?? EVERY VISIT FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE I AM TOLD THAT I NEED ADDITIONAL WORK - ALWAYS OVER $500 WORTH. I AM CONVINCED THIS WAS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YEARS AGO. HOW MANY REPAIRS DID I APPROVE THAT DIDN'T REALLY NEED TO BE DONE. SAD TO SAY THAT I WILL NEVER AGAIN TRUST THE HOFFMAN DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB AT TRYING TO RESOLVE THE FLOORBOARD RUST BOARD. THE DEALER AND THE CONSUMER CAME TO AN AMICABLE AGREEMENT ON THE REPAIR OF THE FLOORBOARD. *TT
Structure, Aug 27, 2013
TOOK MY ALTIMA IN FOR SERVICE AND MECHANIC INFORMED ME AND SHOWED ME THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Structure, Aug 23, 2013
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. LARGE GAPING HOLE UNDERNEATH THE CARPET. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE NEW. WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING WINTER MONTHS HAVE BEEN MILD. VEHICLE WAS PA INSPECTED DECEMBER 2012 AND PASSED THEN . DEFECTIVE STRUCTURAL SHEETMETAL STEEL. OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON RECORD THROUGH NHTSA. *TR
Structure, Aug 16, 2013
THERE IS A RUST HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CARPET IS LOWERING DOWN. I AM NOT SURE HOW TO GET IT FIXED. SEEMS LIKE MANY OTHER HAVE THE SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Aug 10, 2013
THE FLOOR-BOARDS ON THE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED EVER SINCE DAY ONE, AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF EXTENSIVELY. TWO GIANT RUST HOLES ON THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR-BOARDS HAVE DEVELOPED DUE TO POOR MATERIALS AND DESIGN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULDN'T BE OVERLOOKED. THE RUST AFFECTS THE VEHICLES CRASH TOLERANCE, AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE FLOORBOARDS. *TR