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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,091

Of the 2005 reports, 48 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 62 people were injured.

Primary concernStructure351 reports · 32% of complaints
Owner complaints1,091Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Structure351
  2. Engine and engine cooling259
  3. Engine141
  4. Power train115
  5. Electrical system97
  6. Other or unspecified60
  7. Air bags47
  8. Vehicle speed control42

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  1. Structure, Aug 5, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90090. UPATED 09/17/13*LJ

  2. Structure, Jul 29, 2013

    I HAVE RUST HOLES IN THE FLOOR PANEL OF MY 2005 ALTIMA. IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND WHILE DRIVING THE HOLE IS BIG ENOUGH THAT I CAN FEEL IT UNDER MY FOOT THROUGH THE CARPET. I TALKED TO MY MECHANIC ABOUT A FIX AND HE SAID HE HAS DONE ABOUT 8-10 OF THESE CARS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS IS A COMMON FLAW THAT MANY ALTIMA OWNERS HAVE AND IT IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY CONCERN. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST NISSAN BASED ON THE RESPONSES THEY ARE GIVING PEOPLE WHO ARE ASKING THEM FOR HELP WITH THE REPAIR. *TR

  3. Structure, Jul 23, 2013

    WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGED AND WHEN COMPLETED THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THERE WAS CORROSION AND RUST IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING IT, THE FLOOR BOARD SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY ROTTED/RUSTED THROUGH AND YOU CAN SEE THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT IT'S WEAR AND TEAR AND MAYBE AN AUTOBODY SHOP CAN FIX IT OR I SHOULD TRADE IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A BODY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. WHY DOESN'T NISSAN REALIZE THIS IS NOT JUST ONE CASE. *TR

  4. Structure, Jul 11, 2013

    I JUST NOTICED THAT FLOORBOARD ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND ROTTED. I PROBABLY NOT NOTICED AND THIS HAS HAPPENED LONG TIME AGO SINCE RUST IS THAT DEEP. NEED HELP. *TR

  5. Structure, Jul 10, 2013

    WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE TODAY FOR CAR AND WHEN THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT I HAD NOTICED SOME DISCOLORING IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING IT, THE FLOOR BOARD SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY ROTTED/RUSTED THROUGH AND YOU CAN SEE THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE. EXHAUST FUMES CAN ENTER THE CAR WHILE IN PARK OR STOPPED. A FOOT CAN GO THROUGH THE FLOOR AND CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS A BODY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

  6. Structure, Jul 10, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE AND THEY NOTICED THERE WAS A HOLE COVERED WITH RUST ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,817.

  7. Structure, Jul 5, 2013

    CAR WAS BOUGHT IN UTAH AND USED IN UTAH AND COLORADO MAINLY. THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR PAN IS RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDS FIXING / REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A STRUCTURAL SAFETY ISSUE. CAR IS LESS THAN 10YRS OLD AND SHOULDN'T SHOW THIS ISSUE THIS EARLY. *TR

  8. Structure, Jul 3, 2013

    NISSAN IS GARAGE KEPT WITH NO RUST ON VEHICLE. MUFFLER ON SINCE 2006 AND FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH - MUFFLER STILL GOOD. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER. PAID DEALER $1755 TO REPAIR SINCE CHEAPER THAN NEW CAR AND WILL DRIVE UNTIL WHEELS FALL OFF. SINCE NO INJURIES YET, IS THIS THE REASON NOTHING IS BEING DONE. SEEMS TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS ON ALTIMA FROM 2003-2006. CHECK OUT YOUTUBE - HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HI7F1EFHB00. *TR

  9. Structure, Jul 1, 2013

    2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH WHICH CAN LEAD TO EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAR, A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FLOOR PANELS SHOULD NOT RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH IN 9 YEARS. WHILE LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND DOES EXPOSE THE CAR TO SALT, I WOULD GO THROUGH THE CAR WASH ON A REGULAR BASIS. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, I WAS INFORMED THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARD. I TOOK PHOTOS DOCUMENTING THE ISSUE. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT THE AREA UNDER THE FLOOR BOARDS IS COMPLETELY BOWED OUT AND EATEN THROUGH. THIS IS SHODDY MATERIALS AND (LACK OF) CRAFTMANSHIP. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER SIMILAR ISSUES POSTED TO THE DATABASE AND WANTED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AS PART OF MY CLAIM TO NISSAN. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE OIL PAN WHICH IS ALSO QUITE PRONE TO RUSTING QUICKLY. *TR

  10. Structure, Jun 25, 2013

    RUST HOLES IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *TR

  11. Structure, Jun 19, 2013

    DURING MY RI STATE INSPECTION TODAY, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS COMPLETED ROTTED THROUGH. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT FIXING THAT. THE CAR IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD SO HAVING THAT MUCH ROT IS VERY UNUSUAL. WILL NISSAN REPAIR THIS DAMAGE OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPAIR? *TR

  12. Structure, Jun 17, 2013

    BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH. *TR

  13. Structure, May 30, 2013

    FLOORBOARDS ON NISSAN COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM OUTSIDE IN. CARPETING INSIDE OF CAR STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR, BUT NISSAN CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WILL NOT COVER COST OF REPAIR. PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN MAY 2006 - WAS 2005 MODEL. SUMMER 2009 PUT A BIKE HITCH ON CAR AND MUFFLER BOLTS WERE RUSTED BUT UNDERSIDE OF CAR STILL LOOKED GREAT. MUFFLER STILL ON THE CAR, BUT FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. ALMOST $2000 TO REPAIR. CAR WAS NEVER IN ACCIDENT, NEVER IN FLOOD AND ALWAYS CLEANED AND MAINTAINED. I FOUND A PIECE, ALMOST A SHEET OF RUST ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. UNDERCOATING ON THE PIECE WAS STILL THERE, BUT RUST COULDN'T HOLD IT TOGETHER ANY LONGER. WHEN POINTED OUT WHAT THIS ACTUALLY WAS SHOCKED. FEET ON THE PAVEMENT WHEN DRIVING WAS THE NEXT STEP. SEE VIDEO HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HI7F1EFHB00. *TR

  14. Structure, May 22, 2013

    I HAVE A 2005 ALTIMA WITH 49500 MILES. WHEN I RECENTLY GOT NEW TIRES, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FLOORBOARD WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHETHER ITS FUMES GETTING INTO THE CAR OR DEBRIS FROM THE FLOORBOARD FALLING IN THE ROAD. I CONTACTED NISSAN NATIONAL AND THEY SENT ME TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ESTIMATE AND HAVE IT SENT TO NISSAN NATIONAL. NISSAN NATIONAL SAID MY ISSUE WOULD GO TO NISSAN CONSUMER REVIEW, WHO DECIDED THE FLOORBOARD RUSTING OUT WAS ENVIRONMENTAL. ARE CAR OWNERS IN WINTRY STATES FOREWARNED THAT IF THEY HAVE A NISSAN THE FLOORBOARDS MIGHT RUST OUT? MY CAR IS CLEAN WITH NO OTHER RUST. *TR

  15. Structure, May 11, 2013

    THE FLOOR BOARDS ON MY CAR ARE RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE HAD IT ESTIMATED AT MULTIPLE AUTO BODY SHOPS AND THEY KNEW BEFORE SEEING THE CAR THAT IT WAS A NISSAN. I DID LOTS OF ONLINE RESEARCH AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DEFECT WITH THE NISSANS. I ALSO SAW THAT AFTER FILING THIS COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA, THAT SOME CUSTOMERS HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED BY NISSAN AT NO COST. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS GARAGED AND REGULARLY WASHED. *TR

  16. Structure, May 2, 2013

    NOTICED FLOOR PAN ON PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2005 ALTIMA HAS RUSTED OUT. THE HOLE IS CLEAN THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF CAR. APPROXIMATE 8" HOLE. *TR

  17. Structure, May 2, 2013

    BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR STATE INSPECTION TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE TOO SOFT TO PASS INSPECTION. INSPECTED THE VEHICLE MORE CLOSELY MYSELF AND NOTICED THE FLOOR BOARDS HAD BEEN ROTTING. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85K ON IT. HEARD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH A LOT OF NISSAN ALTIMAS AND FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS SINCE NISSAN HAS DONE LITTLE OR NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I'M NOT ONE OF THE FLINTSTONES. *TR

  18. Structure, Apr 29, 2013

    THE WHEEL WELL LINER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAME LOOSE AND AFTER FLAPPING AGAINST THE TIRE, ROAD, AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT; BECAME TOTALLY DISCONNECTED AND FELL ONTO A COUNTY HIGHWAY. IT WAS REPLACED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP'S MECHANICS, AND THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET! *TR

  19. Structure, Apr 11, 2013

    OWNER OF 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. TWO WEEKS AGO MECHANIC HAD UP ON RACK FOR OIL CHANGE. BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SIGNIFICANT RUSTING OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANS. I CALLED NISSAN AND FILED A CLAIM, BUT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHILE THEY WERE SORRY TO HEAR I WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POSTS ON NHTSB WEBSITE AND OTHER BLOGS. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT LEADS TO A SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS REPAIR. *TR

  20. Structure, Apr 3, 2013

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD WOULD BECOME WET WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN. THE CONTACT RAN WATER DOWN THE WINDSHIELD AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE IF WATER WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AREA, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 134,000. *TR

  21. Structure, Apr 2, 2013

    I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. I TOOK MY CAR TO GET INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO RUST AND ROTTING UNDER THE CAR. NISSAN, DOES NOT REPAIR THIS. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OF INDIVIDUALS ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MODELS FROM 02 - 06. ALL OF JAPANESE CARS WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR FROM 05 BRAND NEW, I'M THE ONLY OWNER WITH NO ACCIDENTS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD DO A RECALL ON ALL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THEY CHARGE YOU ALL THIS MONEY FOR CARS, THEY KNOW SOON WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY DON'T PROTECT THE CAR WITH THE UNDER COATING. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON NISSAN!!! *TR

  22. Structure, Mar 24, 2013

    WENT TO GET MY FIRST INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AND IT FAILED AND I COULD NOT GET STICKER. IT FAILED BECAUSE I HAVE LARGE RUST HOLES ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR PANS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CARPET IS EXPOSED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK AS MY FOOT COULD GO THROUGH IT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

  23. Structure, Mar 18, 2013

    VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR AT LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP FOR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACEMENT. DURING REPAIR, MECHANIC HAD VEHICLE UP ON LIFT AND NOTED SEVERE RUST TO THE FLOORBOARD AREA OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. RUST DAMAGE IS SO SEVERE IT IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY COMPLETELY THROUGH. UPON MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION VIA THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS NOTING THE SAME SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE SAME LOCATION (FLOORBOARD) OF THEIR NISSAN ALTIMAS AS WELL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY NISSAN.

  24. Structure, Mar 15, 2013

    I JUST DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS OF BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE IN THE BOTTOM IS FULLY RUSTED. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 2005 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

  25. Structure, Mar 1, 2013

    I HAD DISCOVERED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ALTIMA RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW THE AUTO WAS DISCOVER TO HAVE A WATER LEAK SOAKING THE CARPETING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. NISSAN (DEALER) HAD INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BUT EVIDENTLY HAD NOT WITH THE FLOOR RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS STATED. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 2005 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.