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
1,091 reports, newest first.
Structure, Aug 12, 2015
IN 2013 I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO HAVE THEM FIX MY BUMPER AND THEY REALIZED A HOLE UNDERNEATH MY PASSENGER FLOOR . THEY TOLD ME IT WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH AND I HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED AT THE COST 700 DOLLARS. NOW ITS 2015 AND I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL OVER AGAIN. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO PUT THIS MONEY BACK INTO THIS CAR IF IT'S JUST GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN 2 YEARS. NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY'RE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SOMEONE COULD POSSIBLY FALL THROUGH THE FLOOR.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2015, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND OVER CORRECTED IN A CURVE. SHE HIT A TREE AND THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS HELD BACK BY THE SEAT BELT HER HEAD IMPACTING THE CENTER OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT HINGING ITSELF AT THE TOP AND MAKING TWO VERY POINTED AND SHARP EDGES ON EACH BOTTOM CORNER. THE RIGHT BOTTOM POINT PIERCED THE SKIN BETWEEN HER NOSE AND THE CORNER OF HER LEFT EYE MISSING IT BY LESS THAN A SIXTEENTH OF AN INCH AND BREAKING HER NOSE. THE DANGEROUS PART IS THE TWO SHARP POINTS ON THE FLAP WHERE THE AIR BIG DEPLOYED SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW.
Structure, Aug 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FLOOR BOARD OF THE VEHICLE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AREA. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Structure, Aug 10, 2015
WHEN I WAS WORKING ON THE BRAKES ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, I PLACED MY FLOOR JACK UNDERNEATH THE CAR I REALIZED THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS STARTING TO RUST THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO PASSENGER SIDE THE FLOOR BOARD WAS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING. BOTH SIDES ARE STARTING TO ROT ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE THAT A CAR THAT IS SO WELL KEPT COULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SOMETHING NISSAN NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE AS A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES THAT NEVER HAD FLOOR BOARDS RUST AWAY SO PREMATURELY. IF NISSAN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A DESIGN FLAW THIS WILL BE MY LAST NISSAN BOUGHT FROM THE CAR COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN VERY LOYAL TO THE BRAND. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE.
Structure, Aug 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE INSPECTOR OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WERE ROTTED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2015, fire
THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS KEPT GOING OFF AND ON. THERE WAS ALSO A CLANKING SOUND. I STOPPED AND LET CAR COOL. CONTINUED DRIVING AND NOTICED FIRE FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. RAN OUT OF CAR AND IT CAUGHT FIRE 30 SECONDS AFTER FOLLOWED BY COUPLE OF EXPLOSIONS.
Structure, Jul 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE PLACE WHERE BOTH FRONT SEATS WERE ATTACHED HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. MA 10/5
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2015
THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAVE RUSTED SO BADLY I CAN PUT MY FOOT THROUGH THE HOLE
Structure, Jul 30, 2015
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. MY FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED TO A POINT THAT THE CARPET INSTALLATION IS HANGING ON THE GROUND. IF IT RAINS AND I RIDE OVER PUDDLES I CAN FEEL THE WATER.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2015
THE ENTIRE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE FRONT SEATS IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD UNDERNEATH THE CAR. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FLOOR HAD HOLES IN IT (FOUND RIGHT AFTER I HAD ALREADY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE). THIS IS A HAZARD FOR THE PASSENGERS, VERY COMMON AMONGST NISSAN ALTIMAS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS ISSUE MAKES THE CAR UNSELLABLE SINCE IT WILL NEVER PASS INSPECTION UNLESS A MAJOR REPAIR IS DONE TO ITS BODY. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A CAR WOULD HAVE STRUCTURAL ISSUES LIKE SEVERE RUST AND NISSAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THE NHTSA NOT MAKE NISSAN BUY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BACK.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2015
A MECHANIC, DURING AN UNRELATED REPAIR, REPORTED HE COULD SEE CARPET FROM THE UNDERNEATH MY CAR AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DISCOVERED TWO HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARDS ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES (FRONT SEAT). I TOOK THIS IN FOR AN ESTIMATE AND IT WILL COST $700-1000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN...THESE FLOORBOARDS SHOULD NOT RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH LIKE THIS. I HAVE CHILDREN AND AM WORRIED THAT ROAD DEBRIS OR SOMETHING RIPPING THROUGH THE CARPET FROM THE INSIDE COULD CAUSE INJURY OR WORSE AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Structure, Jul 22, 2015
NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR PAN ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS A BIG RUST HOLE. DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PAN IS STARTING TO SHOW THE RUST COMING THRU ALSO. ....UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF UPDATED 1/4/2016*JS
Structure, Jul 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORMAT WAS VISIBLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LAMP FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND STALLED MORE THAN ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED A YEAR AGO, BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED AGAIN. WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF LEAVING THE REPAIR SHOP, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO PERFORM THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 10/06/15*LJ UPDATED 11/27/2017*CN
Engine, Jul 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2015
I RECENTLY HAD MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IN THE SHOP FOR AND OIL CHANGE & FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT. THE TECH REPORTED A RUST ISSUE ON THE DRIVERS & PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANS. HE GOT A NEARBY BODY SHOP TO GIVE A REPAIR QUOTE, WHICH IS ~$700. I TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE CAR MYSELF & WAS SHOCKED TO FIND FLOOR RUST ~18" X 9" ON PASSENGER & DRIVER FLOOR BOARDS. THE RUST HOLES ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL. THERE ARE NO OTHER RUST SPOTS ON THE CAR, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A FACTORY DEFECT. A LOOK ON LINE SHOWED WHAT I SUSPECTED; AN EPIDEMIC OF RUST IN THE SAME LOCATION ON EVERY ALTIMA! MY CAR SPENT ITS FIRST 8 YEARS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN. THE LAST 2 HAVE BEEN IN FLORIDA. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE-KEPT ITS ENTIRE LIFE. THE ISOLATION OF THE RUST IS VERY OBVIOUS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN PROBABLY THE MOST RELIABLE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED, WHICH MAKES THIS RUST ISSUE SO DISAPPOINTING. FROM THE RESEARCH I'VE GATHERED, NISSAN HAS NO INTENTION OF STANDING BEHIND THIS ISSUE. I HAD PLANS TO TRADE THIS CAR IN ON A NISSAN QUEST IN 2016. I WILL BE CROSSING NISSAN OFF THE LIST.
Structure, Jul 8, 2015
PASSENGER FLOORBOARD RUSTED OUT AND WAS REPAIRED AT A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP IN DEC. 2013. I FELT BRANCHES AND STICKS THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 8" IN DIAMETER. IN JUNE 2015 I FOUND WHERE THE DRIVERS SIDE IS NOW RUSTED OUT. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED THE CAR HAS HAD DEEP RUBBER FLOOR MATS IN THE WINTER PASSENGER SIDE REPAIR DONE AT 122,000 MILES DRIVER'S SIDE REPAIR DONE AT 139,000 MILES UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN
Steering, Suspension, Engine, Jul 6, 2015
FRONT SUB-FAME SEVERELY RUSTED OUT, WHICH SUPPORTS ENGINE AND CONTROL ARMS, MUST BE REPLACED. SAFETY IS COMPROMISED.....UPDATED10/20/15 *BF UPDATED 11/07/2017*
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2015
FRONT FLOORBOARDS RUSTING THOUGH, LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.
Structure, Jul 1, 2015
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO FIRESTONE TO HAVE NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE ON MY CAR 6/27/15-6/30/15. WHILE THEY HAD THE CAR UP ON THE LIFT, THE TECH NOTICED AND TOLD ME THAT MY FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTING OUT AND HE COULD SEE CLEAR THROUGH TO MY CARPETING. MY WINDOWS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY GETTING DIRTY FROM THE INSIDE AND I COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHY. I HAVE ASTHMA AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUMES THAT ARE ENTERING MY VEHICLE. THIS NOW EXPLAINS WHY I FEEL THE NEED TO USE MY INHALER MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN I'M IN MY CAR OR GETTING OUT OF MY CAR ON SHORTER TRIPS. FOR INSTANCE, I HAVE A 1.5 MILE RIDE TO THE TRAIN FOR MY COMMUTE TO WORK. BY THE TIME I GET TO THE TRAIN, I'LL NEED TO USE MY INHALER AGAIN ALREADY. MY CAR IS PAID OFF. I HAD PLANNED TO KEEP THIS CAR AS LONG AS I POSSIBLY COULD SO I CAN PAY DOWN DEBT. ALSO, I HAD JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND SPENT AROUND $700 IN REPAIRS ON MY CAR. I'VE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR (I.E., REGULAR OIL CHANGES, TIRE ROTATION, ETC.). I JUST WANT NISSAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM SO I CAN KEEP MY CAR. OTHER THAN THIS ISSUE, I LOVE MY CAR. I'VE HAD VERY FEW MINOR PROBLEMS WITH IT OVER THE YEARS AND I'M OVERALL VERY HAPPY WITH IT, EXCEPT FOR THIS ISSUE. I HOPE YOU CAN GET THEM TO HELP EVERYONE SIMILARLY SITUATED...UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF UPDATED 11/06/2017*CN
Structure, Jun 30, 2015
THIS PAST WEEK I HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BATTERY. THEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR BRAKES. WHEN I HAPPENED TO LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR, I FOUND THAT THE FLOOR ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WAS ROTTING OUT. THE DEALER IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PROBLEMS WHEN YOU TAKE IT IN, BUT NOBODY MENTIONED THE RUST PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE THE UNEXPECTED EXPENSE OF REPAIRING THE FLOOR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THE PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME NOW, BUT REFUSES TO REIMBURSEMENT OR DO A RECALL. IT MAY NOT BE A SAFETY HAZARD, UNLESS YOUR FOOT GOES THROUGH THE FLOOR, BUT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT.
Structure, Jun 30, 2015
DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD IS RUSTED OUT
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 29, 2015
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE REAR DOOR HANDLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES SNAPPED OFF IN FEBURARY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE DOOR HANDLE FAILED, HER SON WAS INURED. *JB UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2015
THE FLOOR OF MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES, THIS SHOULLD BE A RECALL BECAUSE I HAVE READ THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM
Power train, Jun 26, 2015
MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND SOMETIMES CLUNKING NOISE WHEN IT SHIFTS AT LOW SPEED.