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, Apr 19, 2015
FLOOR BOARDS ARE ROTTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THEY BOTH NEED REPLACMENT IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Apr 19, 2015
THE FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2015
THE CLUTCH WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. IT WILL HAPPEN WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. THEN IT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START IT OR IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. NO WARNING SIGNS. IT JUST HAPPENS. *TR
Structure, Apr 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Structure, Apr 14, 2015
PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR RUSTED AWAY LEAVING ABOUT A 10" X 12" HOLE. THIS IS RIGHT WHERE ONE WOULD PROBABLY PLACE ONE'S FEET, GETTING IN AND OUT AND WHILE RIDING. GERWECK NISSAN, IN MONROE, MICHIGAN VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED IT TO NISSAN COMPANY. NISSAN COMPANY REP. IN AN E-MAIL DISCUSSION DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR THE FLOOR. WHAT I DERIVED FROM MY EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE, IS WHEN A NISSAN IS NINE YEARS OLD AND HAS HIGH MILEAGE IF THE METAL RUSTS AWAY IT IS NORMAL AND EXPECTED. *TR
Structure, Apr 14, 2015
PASSENGER-SIDE FLOORBOARD IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PRE-MATURE RUST AS MANY OTHER SIMILAR ALTIMAS. RUST AREA IS APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES BY 12 INCHES, AND HAS ALREADY BEGAN CRUMBLING AWAY. VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND IS WELL-MAINTAINED. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY NISSAN. *TR
Structure, Apr 14, 2015
DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD RIOTED OUT ABOUT 10+6 AREA. *TR
Structure, Apr 13, 2015
EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY RUST IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOTWELL AREA. NO SHEETMETAL REMAINS IN SOME AREAS, ALLOWING FOR DIRECT ACCESS TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANYONE SEATED THERE. THIS IS A ONE-OWNER VEHICLE, WHICH HAD AUTO ARMOR UNDERBODY PROTECTANT APPLIED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND IS WASHED REGULARLY, ESPECIALLY DURING SALT MONTHS. *TR
Power train, Apr 13, 2015, crash
I WAS BACKING INTO A SPACE IN A GARAGE AND THE CAR JUST SPEED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHERE THE CAR SEEMED TO GO ON ITS OWN. LAST YEAR IT WENT FORWARD AND I COULD NOT STOP IT RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED IN THE SAME GARAGE. LUCKILY IT FINALLY STOPPED AND I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR. *TR
Structure, Apr 13, 2015
DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PAN RUST THROUGH. *TR
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Apr 12, 2015
FORWARD IS RUSTING UNDERNEATH ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE,HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED WHEN NEEDED OIL CHANGES REGULARLY WASHED REGULARLY TAKEN CARE OF VERY WELL AN ALL HIGHWAY MILES MAJORITY OF THE TIME. KEEP HAVING TO REPAIR THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AS WELL BEEN SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY LATELY I UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS ARISE OVER TIME BUT THE RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD CONSIDERING I DRIVE A LOT OF MILES ON THE FREEWAY. FOUND OUT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM HAPPENING WITH HUNDREDS OF NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WITH THESE YEAR MODELS. I HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDING THE NISSAN TOO MANY PEOPLE I LOVE THIS CAR AND NOW I AM AFRAID TO GET ANOTHER ONE AND I HAD PLANNED ON GETTING ANOTHER ONE SO IF THIS ISSUE ISN'T HELPED AND TAKEN CARE OF I WILL LOOK TO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAR. *TR
Structure, Apr 12, 2015
THE FLOOR BOARDS HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. THIS OCCURS ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE BODY. THE LOCATION IS APPROXIMATELY AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS FEET SIT ON THE FLOOR. *TR
Structure, Apr 11, 2015
FRIEND IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ALTIMA, CUT HER ANKLE WHEN HER FOOT WENT THRU MY PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD..THIS IS A ROTT ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS IGNORED FOR YEARS NOW... AND ITS NOT A SALT ISSUE ITS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT IN THE FLOOR BECAUSE OF NOT BEING SEALED GOOD AT FACTORY...SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY GET HURT OR KILLED ,, AS THIS ROTT WILL EVENTUALITY SPEED INTO FRAME AND SUSPENSION.. NISSAN IS TRYIN TO GET OUT OF A FIX, JUST LIKE THE EARLY PATHFINDER FRAME/SHOCK TOWER RUST ISSUE.. WHERE THEY NOW BUY BACK THE VEH IF IT NEEDS THE RECALL... AS ALWAYS SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN...NISSAN SAYS VEH AGE, WILL EVENTUALLY RUST,, BUT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR YEARS NOW .... LOOK ON NISSAN FORUMS. COMPLAINTS FOR YEARS NOW.... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Apr 10, 2015
1. PRECAT FAILURE WHICH LED TO NEEDING OF A COMPLETE LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT. @ 49875 MILES 2. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAUSED PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF MANUAL TRANSMISSION.@ 94571 MILES 3. PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED THRU!!!! @ 100000 MILES, THIS CUTS THE CAKE! CAR IS JUNK!
Structure, Service brakes, Apr 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WAS CORRODED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,279.
Structure, Apr 9, 2015
WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR, A FAMILY MEMBER WAS THE FIRST AND BOUGHT IT NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. ONE DAY IN OCTOBER 2014 MY HUSBAND GOT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SAID IT FELT SQUISHY. HE STUCK HIS HAND UNDER AND COULD FEEL ROT. WE DROVE THE 2.1 MILES HOME AND THEN HE LOOKED. THAT IS WHEN HE DISCOVERED A HOLE AT LEAST 9 INCHES IN THE FLOOR. I ASKED THE PREVIOUS OWNER IF ANYTHING EVER HAPPENED THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT AND HE SAID SO IT WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DEALER WHO DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE WORK NEVER MENTIONED SEEING A RUST SPOT. NOW THE HOLE IS HUGE AND IS GOING FAST. WE HAVE TO USE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ONE. NISSAN SAYS IT IS BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD CAR. MY 1993 HONDA CIVIC (OVER 210,000 WISCONSIN MILES ON IT) AND MY HUSBAND'S 2002 NISSAN SENTRA SER ARE OLDER AND THEY DO NOT HAVE RUST UNDERNEATH. WE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A WINDOW OPEN BECAUSE THE EXHAUST SMELL AT A STOP SIGN OR WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING AGAINST THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE HAVE 2 YOUNG KIDS THAT HAVE TO RIDE IN THIS CAR AS WE NO LONGER HAVE THE CIVIC AND THE SER IS SMALL. WISH NISSAN WOULD OWN THEIR MISTAKE/DESIGN FLAW AND FIX THIS FOR EVERYONE. IT WOULD LOOK GOOD FOR THEM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND SET A "LEAD BY EXAMPLE" INITIATIVE TO ALL CAR MANUFACTURERS. *TR
Structure, Engine, Apr 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FLOORBOARDS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A FRACTURED ENGINE MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,009. UPDATED. 5/28/15 *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT FLOORBOARD WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS RUSTY AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 11/23/2015*JS
Structure, Apr 9, 2015
I ALREADY PAID FOR RUSTED OUT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANS AND UNDER. ALMOST $500.00. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN CERTAIN MODELS BECAUSE OF TWO HOLES YOU CAN VISIBLY SEE UNDER THE CAR ON BOTH SIDES. DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DESIGNED IT LIKE THAT BECAUSE WHAT'S HAPPENING IS MOISTURE GOES UP IN THERE AND FLOWS OVER TO THE SIDES OF THE CAR UNDER THE DOORS AND RUSTS. MY CAR AS NOT BEEN RUN IN THE SALT AT ALL AND I WAS TOLD IT WASN'T NECESSARILY SALT BUT JUST WATER THAT SETTLES AND SITS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN FLAW, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN CHANGED. I THINK THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS AND ARE WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO GET RID OF THEIR CARS SO IF THEY ARE ORDERED TO DO A RECALL, THE NUMBERS WOULD BE LOWER. I WANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR PLAN CHECKED AS WELL. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND HAD ABOUT 76,00 ON IT WHEN I HAD THE FIRST SIDE DONE. THANKS AND I WAS DENIED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS , STATING IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE! ALSO WE JUST MOVED BACK TO NH AND HAVE BEEN LIVING IN SOUTHERN STATES BECAUSE OF MY HUSBANDS JOB. *TR
Structure, Apr 8, 2015
UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED FLOORBOARDS BELOW THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS WEAK FROM EXTENSIVE RUST. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2015
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND A YEARLY INSPECTION. WHILE DOING THE INSPECTION THE MECHANIC TOOK NOTICE OF THE SEVERE RUSTING OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS. HE SAID THAT IT PASSED INSPECTION AND THAT SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO BE DONE ABOUT THE RUST DAMAGE SOON BEFORE IT GETS WORSE AND I END UP PUTTING MY FOOT THROUGH IT. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME I LIVE IN A 4 SEASON STATE AND THAT IT IS NORMAL DO TO SALT EROSION. I HAVE HAD A GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE AND I AM CONSTANTLY CLEANING THE CAR DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE I KNOW SALT EATS CARS. HERE I AM 2 MONTHS LATER AND I SEE THE OUT CRY OF OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ON THE TODAY SHOW. HOW CAN THEY BE GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. I PLAN TO GET A NEW CAR WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR SO IN ORDER TO SELL THIS ONE I WILL HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX IT BECAUSE NO USED CAR BUYER WOULD WANT TO BUY IT IN THIS STATE. WHY IS NISSAN NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES? I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN.
Structure, Apr 8, 2015
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR MY SON WHO IS GOING AWAY TO COLLEGE. WHEN SEEING ON THE NEWS ABOUT THE RUST ISSUES WITH THE ALTIMA'S I IMMEDIATELY WENT AND CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR TO DISCOVER THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. DUE TO THE MULTIPLE ISSUE IN THE 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE VEHICLE. AT THE VERY LEAST NISSAN SHOULD PROVIDE A GOODWILL RECALL AND STOP TRYING TO PUSH THE BLAME ON OTHER ISSUES. *TR
Structure, Apr 8, 2015
THE BOTTOM OF MY DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR PANEL IS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE GROUND. UNDERNEATH THE CARPET, JUST BEHIND THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL, THE FLOOR METAL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. NOTHING HAPPENED THAT IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM. IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF MY FEET WERE TO TOUCH THE STREET WHILE DRIVING AND RIP MY FOOT OFF. *TR
Structure, Apr 8, 2015
THE FLOORBOARD UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTED OUT, CENTERED AROUND THE DRAIN PLUGS. THE LARGER HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS 6 INCHES BY 12 INCHES AND STILL EXPANDING. THIS DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS WITH SIMILAR-AGE CARS. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS FINE. *TR
Engine, Apr 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Structure, Apr 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED OUT ON BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.