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, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2015
I HAD BEEN AWARE THERE THERE WAS SOME RUST ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR PAN. MY ALTIMA WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC AND PUT ON THE LIFT FOR SOME MAINTENANCE AND MY MECHANIC TOOK PICTURES TO SHOW ME HOW EXTENSIVE THE RUST HAD BECOME. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE FLOOR UNDER THE DRIVER'S FEET IS MISSING AND A LARGE PIECE OF METAL IS HANGING DOWN. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE NOW HAS A SMALL PATCH OF RUST.
Structure, Jun 22, 2015
PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ROTTED OUT FROM RUST IN A WELL MAINTAINED CAR. NO OTHER SIGNS OF DAMAGING RUST ARE PRESENT.
Structure, Jun 20, 2015
JUST FOUND OUT MY CAR'S FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA'S FROM 2002-2006. IT WAS NOT CAUGHT BY MY OIL CHANGE PEOPLE, AND ONLY CAME UP TODAY AS I WAS GETTING IT APPROVED FOR A SALE. THIS REPAIR TOTALS THE CAR, WHICH OBVIOUSLY PUT A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON ME.
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jun 19, 2015
RUSTING FLOORBOARDS
Air bags, Jun 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Structure, Jun 16, 2015
FLOOR BOARD DRIVERS SIDE IS RUSTING OUT.
Structure, Jun 14, 2015
VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST UNDER FLOORBOARDS UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. I READ ABOUT OTHER ALTIMAS FROM THIS YEAR HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR BY TAKING PICTURES WITH MY CELL PHONE UNDER THE CAR. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT A NISSAN DEALER SERVICE CENTER ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, BUT I BELIEVE THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN UP ON A LIFT, AND THE NISSAN SERVICE PEOPLE DID NOT ADVISE ME THERE WAS RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2015
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 59,270 MILES AS OF 06.07.15, HAS A RUSTED FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CONSISTENT WITH THE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS TO YOU, TO NISSAN, AND AS OUTLINED ON THE TODAY SHOW. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, ONLY OWNER, GARAGED SINCE PURCHASE AND SHORTLY DUE TO NISSAN'S DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DEFECTS TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN: 1. THE FLOOR BOARD WILL BE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND ALLOW EXHAUST FUMES AND WATER INTO THE CAR. 2. THE VALUE OF MY CAR WHICH I HAVE SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT MAINTAINING WILL DIMINISH SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRIMINAL THAT NISSAN HAS NOT HAD A RECALL FOR QUALIFIED CARS, AND I 100% GUARANTEE YOU THAT MY CAR WOULD QUALIFY. SO NOW EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR, DUE TO NISSAN'S DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DEFECTS, I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO HAVING A BUILT-IN EXHAUST FUME AIR CONDITIONER. A MODERN DAY "FLINTSTONES" CAR IF YOU WILL. CRIMINAL!
Structure, Jun 6, 2015
RUSTED FLOOR PANEL IN THE FRONT PART OF THE CAR GOING ALL THE WAY THROUGH SO THERE IS A HOLE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BOTH AFFECTED.
Structure, Jun 2, 2015
AFTER PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE I NOTICED THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR PANS WERE RUSTED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THERE IS A HOLE THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I ASKED NISSAN TO FIX IT OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY DUE TO THIS BEING A COMMON ISSUE AMONG SEVERAL OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS BETWEEN 2002 - 2007. NISSAN OF AMERICA SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. I AM HOPING YOU (NHTSA) CAN HELP IN THIS MATTER.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 21, 2015
SO BESIDES THE FACT THAT MY FLOOR BOARD ON MY DRIVERS SIDE HAS A HUGE HOLE IN IT, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS CAUSE ME ENOUGH PROBLEMS TO WHERE I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IDLES ROUGH, WHEN ACCELERATING IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS ABOUT TO SHUT OFF, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU CHANGE THE SENSOR. I'VE HAD MINE CHANGED FOUR TIMES. I AM ACTUALLY SICK OF THIS VEHICLE NOW AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. TO MAKE IT WORSE I CAN'T TAKE THE CAR OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE IT WILL GET HOT THEN THE CLUTCH STICKS TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE TO LIFT IT WITH MY FOOT AND IT STILL WON'T ENGAGE, IT LOSES ALL PRESSURE. SO DRIVING LONG DISTANCE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I ALMOST GOT HIT BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO GO INTO THIRD GEAR. WHEN I DO GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WILL SUE NISSAN AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO KNEW ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND SAT BACK AND DID NOTHING.
Engine, May 19, 2015
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A WHINING NOISE AT IDLE AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING. UPON FURTHER REVIEW AND EXTENSIVE ONLINE RESEARCH AT MAXIMA FORUM, I HAVE FOUND OUT THERE'S A DESIGN FLAW ON THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS ON THESE V6 ENGINES. IF NOT REPAIRED CAN RESULT IN EXTENSIVE REPAIRS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF ENGINE. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS PAST THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. I DON'T KNOW IF NISSAN WILL GRANT THE FREE REPAIR SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 18, 2015
CAR SHUDDERED AND RPM DROPPED AND THEN CAME BACK UP TO CURRENT RPM LEVEL. CAME TO STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT INTO LIMP MODE. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND RPM'S WOULD NOT GO OVER 2000. PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. RESTARTED CAR AND BEGAN TO TRY AND DRIVE IT AGAIN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE AUTOMATIC TRANS AND IT WOULD HIT HARD UPON GEAR SHIFTS BUT WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME THE REMAINING FEW MILES.. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANICS SHOP THE NEXT MORNING AND THE CODES INDICATE CAM POSITION SENSOR FAILURES. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND A RECALL FOR THIS UNDER R2022 BUT OF COURSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS IT IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I AM WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY RESOLVED AT MY EXPENSE. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Structure, May 16, 2015
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT ON LINE , THAT THERE IS AN INFERIOR DESIGN FLAW WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS,THAT INVOLVES WATER ACCUMULATION AND SEVERE RUSTING CLEAR THRU BOTH THE INNER AND LOWER FLOOR BOARDS, ON MOST 2002 TO 2006 NISSAN'S. I CHECKED MY VEHICLE AND FOUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE,I HAVE A 6 TO 8 INCH HOLE CLEAR THRU BOTH THE INNER AND LOWER FLOOR BOARDS. THIS CONDITION IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS IN THAT IN ADDITION TO SOMEONE POSSIBLY FALLING THRU THE HOLE , ENGINE EXHAUST CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES AS WELL AS WATER CAN ENTER THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING THAT CAN CAUSE A FIRE AND RESULT IN DEATH. IN READING ABOUT THIS DEFECT ON LINE IT STATS THAT REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM CAN COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND NISSAN KNEW OF THIS RUST PROBLEM , POOR WATER DRAINAGE CONDITION AND WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL SINCE THIS CONDITION HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE INTER NET ARTICLES STATED THAT HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED AND ADVISED PERSONS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION . I THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION,IN LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER AND AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE. *TR
Structure, May 14, 2015
FLOOR BOARDS ROTTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
Structure, May 13, 2015
I AM PLACING A COMPLAINT AGAINST NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY FOR FAULTY FLOORING IN THEIR ALTIMA MODELS. I TRIED TO HAVE OUR CAR A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA INSPECTED TODAY BUT IT FAILED DO TO RUSTING FLOORS UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER FEET SECTION. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE NOW THAT NBC NEWS HAS BROKE THE STORY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN ONE OF THE BROAD CAST. NISSAN SHOULD NOT BE LET OFF THE HOOK WITH THIS ISSUE SO I'M WRITING TO YOU IN HOPES THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN . THIS COMPANY SCREWED UP NOW PEOPLE SUCH AS MY FAMILY ARE LEFT WONDERING HOW TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. PLEASE DO SOMETHING !!!
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 13, 2015
I AM DRIVING A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH APPROXIMATELY 140,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD AND COMING TO A STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, PROBABLY AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND GOT THE ENGINE CODE AND IT IS FOR CAN SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I BROWSED INTERNET AND THIS SEEMS A COMMON PROBLEM
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR FRONT END SUSPENSION AND TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT RUST HOLES UNDER BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE BODY, AND WAS LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL. COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION IF OBJECT IN ROAD IS HIT AND COMES UP UNDER THE UNDERCARRIAGE.
Electrical system, May 11, 2015, fire
MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN SAW SMOKE AND STOPPED THE CAR, WHEN HE RAISED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH WATER AFTER HE SAW HE COULD NOT STOP THE FLAMES CALLED 911 THE CARE TOTALLY BURNED NOTHING LEFT EXCEPT FRAME THE FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT THE FIRE BUT THE CAR WAS ALREADY BURNED.
Engine, May 9, 2015
THE ENGINE STARTED TO STALL AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FINALLY, THE CAR SIMPLY STOPPED, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO A SAFE PLACE TO PARK.DHARM
Structure, May 6, 2015
TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT FLOOR PANS WERE RUSTED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. IN THE 7-8 YEARS CAR WAS BEING SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP THERE WAS NEVER ANY MENTION OF RUST. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMA MODEL YEARS 2002-2005. CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS 4-13-15 TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND REQUEST THEY REPAIR IT SINCE I REMEMBERED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I HAD RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING POSSIBLE CORROSION OF THE REAR SUB-FRAME [NOT SAME PART BUT STILL UNDERCARRIAGE RELATED AND PERHAPS MANUFACTURED BY THE SAME COMPANY]. WAS ADVISED BY 1ST REPRESENTATIVE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT EVALUATED. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE RUST AND TOOK PICTURES [I ASKED FOR A COPIES OF THE PICTURES BUT NEVER GOT THEM]. CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS BACK [SAME DAY] AND CASE WAS ASSIGNED TO A REPRESENTATIVE. REP CALLED 4-14-15 AND TOLD ME TO GET AN ESTIMATE [THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM THIS TYPE OF REPAIR SO THEY COULD NOT GIVE AN ESTIMATE]. TOOK CAR TO A BODY SHOP AND GOT AN ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00. RECEIVED DECISION FROM NISSAN REP 5-5-15. THEY WOULD NOT BE REPAIRING DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE ON THE CAR AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE MORE OF A DESIGN FLAW AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE A LOOK INTO NISSAN'S STANCE ON THIS ISSUE? IT SEEMS QUITE RIDICULOUS TO ASK THE OWNER TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROBABLY KNEW WAS FAULTY IN THE FIRST PLACE [AND IF THEY DIDN'T SURELY THEY KNOW BY NOW]. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR
Structure, May 4, 2015
WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE MY HUSBAND FELT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR COLLAPSES AT WHICH TIME HE INSPECTED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED A LARGE RUSTED THROUGH AREA UNDER THE PASSENGERS SIDE. DUE TO THE ADVANCE RUST AND ROT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY AS WELL AS VAPORS COULD ENTER THE PASSENGERS COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE COMPROMISED PASSENGERS SIDE FLOORBOARD. *TR
Structure, Apr 28, 2015
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED THROUGH. CAR IS STORED IN GARAGE. ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
Structure, Apr 23, 2015
DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD IS NEARLY RUSTED OUT. THIS CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED DURING RECENT VEHICLE INSPECTION. *TR
Structure, Apr 22, 2015
RUSTED OUT FLOOR PAN ON DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. *TR