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, Apr 6, 2015

    THE BOTTOM OF MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IS RUSTING THROUGH TO THE FLOOR BOARDS. THERE IS ABOUT A 10 INCH ROUND AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST. I AM WONDERING IF IT IS A DEFECT AS I EVEN HAD RUST PROOFING DONE AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE RUST PROOFING MAY'VE SLOWED THE PROGRESS BUT COULDN'T PREVENT THE PROBLEM (AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED). *TR

  2. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    THE FLOOR PAN ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAS SEVERE RUST AND HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN SOME SPOTS. THE REST OF THE CAR HAS NO OTHER RUST PROBLEMS AND IS IN GOOD SHAPE. I KEEP MY CAR IN GOOD MAINTENANCE AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ONLY THESE AREAS ARE EFFECTED. *TR

  3. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTING OUT. *TR

  4. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION AND HOLES ON THE FLOORBOARDS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

  5. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    AFTER SEEING A REPORT ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT NISSAN ALTIMAS ARE HAVING SYSTEMATIC ISSUES WITH RUSTING UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS, I LOOKED UNDER MY 2005 ALTIMA, AND CAN SEE VISIBLE RUSTING UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS. IT HAS RUSTED, CORRODED AND IS FLAKING OFF. IF YOU TOUCH IT, IT FALLS APART. IT HAS NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH. I UNDERSTAND NISSAN WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE POSITION THAT THIS IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW OR A SAFETY HAZARD WITH THESE CARS, BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. IF THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, HOW COULD IT JUST BE COINCIDENCE? I AM ABOUT TO HAVE A CHILD, AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CHILD AROUND IN THIS CAR. I ALSO UNDERSTAND NISSAN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE YEARS AGO, SO THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS IT FOR YEARS. *TR

  6. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    DEFECTIVE DRAIN SYSTEM FOR WATER RUN OFF HAS CAUSED PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOOR PAN TO RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH. THERE ARE HOLES IN MY FLOOR WHERE FEET ARE PLACED. *TR

  7. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WENT THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD WHEN HE STEPPED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS AND FLOOR PANS ON THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FLOORBOARDS WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS RUSTED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE RUST SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS, LIKE THE FRAME AND A HOLE DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

  9. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    WAS INFORMED DURING ROUTINE SERVICE (OIL CHANGE AND WINTER/SUMMER TIRE SWAP) THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST IN FRONT FLOOR PANEL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS NEXT YEAR'S SAFETY INSPECTION UNLESS RUSTED AREA WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED.

  10. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FEET AREA. I WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PASSENGER SIDE BUT NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS EVEN WORSE AND CAUSING LOTS IN DAMAGES. *TR

  11. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    AFTER HEARING ON THE TODAY SHOW THIS MORNING COMPLAINTS AGAINST NISSAN REGARDING UNDER CARRIAGE RUST I THOUGHT I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT AS WELL. IN APPROX. 2012 WHILE WALKING TOWARDS MY CAR I NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY PASSENGER SIDE. UNDER FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED SEVERE RUSTING AND IT HAD ACTUALLY RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD. THE ONLY THING HOLDING MY FEET IN THE CAR WAS THE CARPET. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD OH WELL SO SAD NOT GONNA HELP ME BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS HAD THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AT UFTRING NISSAN IN PEORIA ILLINOIS. THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED IN THE 4 YEARS PRIOR TO ME IN THE MANY TRIPS I MADE FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGES AND SEVERAL STRUT REPAIRS ON THIS CAR. YES I HAVE HAD STRUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY ONE. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2008. ANYHOW, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY BODY GUY AND HE REPLACED. THE FLOORBOARD FOR 500 BUCKS AND SAID THE DRIVER SIDE IS HEADED IN THE SAME DIRECTION. AT THIS TIME I KNOW OF NO ISSUES WITH RUSTING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PERSONALLY CHECK EVERY TIME THE CAR IS LIFTED. HOWEVER IF IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT IT IS MORE THAN POSSIBLE THAT BY THE TIME I COULD VISUALLY SEE DAMAGE IT WILL BE COMPLETELY THROUGH WITH CARPET BEING THE ONLY THING KEEPING ME INSIDE. I ABSOLUTELY WANT NISSAN TO NOT ONLY PAY FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT BUT FIX THE PROBLEM SO I AM NOT PARANOID ABOUT THE SEAT FALLING THROUGH WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THIS IS TOTAL NEGLIGENCE ON NISSANS PART. *TR

  12. Structure, Apr 6, 2015

    EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE METAL FLOOR UNDER THE CARPET IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS AGO BUT IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS. *TR

  13. Structure, Apr 4, 2015

    I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. 128,000 MILES ON IT, COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK I FOUND OUT THE FLOOR BOARDS ARE COMPLETED ROTTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES, SO BAD THAT ONE CAN STICK THEIR HANDS IN AND FEEL MY CARPET. THE MECHANICS WERE SO SURPRISED HOW BAD THEY WERE AND THIS WAS THE ONLY PART OF THE BASE WHICH WAS ROTTEN. NOW MY CAR IS JUNK AND I WONT EVEN TAKE OR RESELL MY CAR. NISSAN AUTOBODY SAYS IT WILL COST ME 1200 PER SIDE TOTALING $2400 TO FIX THE FLOOR BOARDS WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A WHILE AGO!! I NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND IM SCARED OF DRIVING IT ANYMORE. AND DO NOT WANT TO INVEST $2400 DOLLARS ON SOMETHING THAT IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, ITS A STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! *TR

  14. Structure, Apr 1, 2015

    FOLLOWING A ROUTINE SERVICE APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLOOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS A ONE OWNER CAR AND I AM A 75 YEAR OLD FEMALE. THE CAR HAD OUTSTANDING CARE. IT WAS NOT GARAGED THROUGHOUT ITS LIFETIME BUT IT DID GET EXCELLENT CARE. FLOOR REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $1,00.00 DOLLARS. THAT IS MONEY THAT I CANNOT AFFORD. *TR

  15. Structure, Mar 26, 2015

    FLOOR PANS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDES. YOU CAN SEE THE CARPETING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND ITS NOT EVEN TEN YEARS OLD. *TR

  16. Structure, Mar 16, 2015

    PANS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR ARE ROTTING OUT

  17. Structure, Mar 9, 2015

    2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RUST DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR PAN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN HAD A HOLE MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES BY 18 INCHES. IT APPEARED THE RUST ORIGINATED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. THE RUST DAMAGE WAS DIRECTLY BELOW THE PASSENGER SEAT EXTENDING 18 INCHES FORWARD. *JB

  18. Structure, Mar 5, 2015

    MY FLOORBOARDS ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE ROTTING THROUGH ON MY PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 70K MILES . IT IS IN GREAT CONDITION. I'M WORRIED THAT MY PASSENGERS FEET MAY GO THROUGH THE FLOOR. I'VE OWNED A FEW CARS AND I'VE NEVER SEEN FLOORBOARDS ROT LIKE THIS.IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM....JUST GOOGLE IT.... I HAVE A 1991 TOYOTA SUPRA THAT HAS ABOUT 130K MILES , DRIVIEN I THE SAME CONDITIONS AND IVE NEVER SEEN THIS. NISSAN DOESN'T WANT TO HELP. IVE TRIED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY DON'T CARE. *TR

  19. Structure, Feb 19, 2015

    THE VEHICLE STARTING LOSING THE PAINT FOR NO REASON IVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MY CARS THERES NO VALID REASON THAT THIS PAINT SHOULD HAVE STARTED TO CRACK LIKE THIS. *TR

  20. Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 14, 2015

    ON A RECENT TRIP FOR OIL CHANGE I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A SPOT OF RUST ON THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. THEY SAID A BRACKET WAS RUSTING THAT HOLDS THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON. THE REAL PROBLEM, THEY POINTED OUT WAS THE SEVERE RUST UNDER THE FRONT FLOORBOARDS, BOTH PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS HOPING TO GET ABOUT 6,000 FOR THE CAR TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW ONE. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE ENGINE RUNS GREAT IT IS VERY UPSETTING TO KNOW THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THEY SAID THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THE RUST. *TR

  21. Structure, Feb 13, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

  22. Structure, Feb 10, 2015

    I SAW A TV NEWS STORY ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVING RUSTED OUT FLOORBOARDS. I CHECKED UNDERNEATH MY NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE FLOORBOARD IS RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS A HOLE IN IT. YOU CAN PUT YOUR FINGER IN IT AND CHIP AWAY THE METAL IN THE FLOORBOARD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HOLE IS ONLY GOING TO GET BIGGER AS THE METAL WILL RUST EVEN MORE. *TR

  23. Structure, Jan 15, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, A HOLE DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUST MUST BE REMOVED AND A METAL PLATE MUST BE WELDED TO REPAIR THE HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN UPDATED 9/18/2017*CN

  24. Structure, Dec 31, 2014

    FLOOR BOARDS UNDERNEATH PASSENGER SIDES ARE ROTTING THROUGH...WHY??!!!!!!!!! *JS

  25. Structure, Dec 22, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND A HOLE WAS DEVELOPING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.