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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 5, 2014
THE TRANSMISSION IS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR, EVEN IF YOU TRY TO DOWNSHIFT IT MANUALLY IT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF 5TH GEAR. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2014
I TOOK MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA INTO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HE INFORMED ME THAT MY FLOOR BOARDS (ON BOTH SIDES)WERE SO BADLY RUSTED OUT THAT HE COULD SEE AND FEEL MY CARPET FROM UNDERNEATH. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THERE IS NO RUST ON THE BODY OF MY CAR SO ITS DISTURBING TO ME THAT IN A 2005 VEHICLE IT CAN BE THAT BADLY RUSTED UNDERNEATH. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 23, 2014
ABOUT 2 YRS AGO THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY NISSAN. I TOOK IT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT CAME UP WITH TWO CODES THAT AT THIS POINT I DON'T REMEMBER. HOWEVER, WHAT I WAS TOLD IS THAT I NEEDED MY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED. I CHECKED ONLINE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SENSOR AND I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR THIS SENSOR. AROUND THE SAME TIME MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED BURNING OUT BULBS ALSO. I ALSO NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ON A HEADLIGHT ISSUE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO CHECK MY VIN TO SEE IF I QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL AND I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS SUPPOSEDLY ONE OF THE IMPACTED ONES. WHICH IS TOO COINCIDENTAL. MY CAR STALLS WHILE RUNNING AND AT TIMES WILL NOT START. AND I SAY WILL, BECAUSE, I BROUGHT IT IN TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR REPLACEMENT AND NEITHER COULD FIND A COMPATIBLE SENSOR. THEY EVEN ORDERED ONE FROM NISSAN AND IT DID NOT FIT AND WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. THEY APOLOGIZED AND SAID THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY NEED TO SOMEHOW REPLACE IT. I HAVE SINCE CONTINUED DRIVING IT, AS IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND TURNS OFF MY OFTEN. I AM ASKING FOR SOME TYPE OF HELP. I AM OUT OF OPTIONS. I AM AFRAID IT WILL ONE DAY SHUT OFF AS I DRIVING AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHE. *TR
Engine, Apr 17, 2014
NISSAN SAID MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THE CAMSHAFT AND SENSOR..WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED..DUE TO THE VECHILE JUST STALLING ALL OF A SUDDEN...VERY DANGEROUS..IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR A PART...THEN THERE IS A RECALL..IT CANNOT BE EITHER OR. PLEASE RESPOND
Engine, Apr 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.
Engine, Apr 12, 2014
ERRATIC IDLE, RANDOM MISFIRE, BAD MPG, CAR IS SLUGGISH I BELIEVE THE POWER VALVE IS THE ISSUE. *JS
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2014
CAR WOULD COMPLETEY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING 55 PLUS.AT ABOUT 20 MILES OR MORE AND ON FREEWAY WAS VERY DANGEOURS. WOULD NOT TURN ON UNTILE 20 MINS. LATER AND NOTICE IF ENGINE WAS WARM IT SHUT IT DOWN. HOPEFULLY THIS WORKS BUT CAR HAS TO HAVE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACE AND BEING HANDICAP NEED THIS CAR.IV NOTICE 2.5 HAS SAME PROBLEMS AND RECALLED. IF I HAD BEEN IN MIDDLE LANE OR NO AREA TO PULL OVER ACCIDENT WOULD OF HAPPEN PLUS YOU LOSE ALL POWER STEERING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 1, 2014
I SEE IN 2007 NISSAN RECALLED THE CRANKSHAFT AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS. I TOOK MY CAR TO SEARS ON MARCH 31ST AND BROUGHT A BATTERY BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON SO I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC TODAY 4-1-14 AND WAS TOLD NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO REPLACE MY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, BUT MY SPEED SENSOR AND MY FUEL PUMP SYSTEM WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME A TOTAL OF $1395.66 TO REPAIR IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS SINCE NISSAN NEVER INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT IN 2007? *TR
Structure, Apr 1, 2014
I TOOK MY NISSAN ALTIMA TO MY NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE AN "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" REPAIRED. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FLOORBOARDS HAD RUSTED OUT AND WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE CAR SHOWS NO VISIBLE SIGN OF RUST ANYWHERE ON THE BODY. THIS MUST BE A DESIGN DEFECT BECAUSE CARS DO NOT RUST OUT ANYMORE. HOW CAN YOU HELP ME? THANKS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 27, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A SMALL ANIMAL THAT CROSSED INTO THE ROADWAY HOWEVER, CRASHED INTO A DITCH INSTEAD. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHARP BODILY PAINS TO THE SHOULDERS, RIBS, NECK AND HEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Mar 24, 2014
PROBLEM BEGUN BY MY VEHICLE BEING HARD TO START. YOU COULD ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR FOR 5 OR SO MINUTES WITHOUT SUCCESS. YOU COULD WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND TRY AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD EVENTUALLY START BUT RUN PRETTY ROUGH. IT WOULD ALSO PERFORM WITH POOR POWER DURING OPERATION. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE WHEN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 4 TO 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE ENGINE WILL RE-START BUT RUNS ROUGH. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AT THE WRONG PLACE AND TIME MY WIFE AND FAMILY CAN BE HURT OR KILLED. I READ A RECALL ON DEFECT OF THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WHICH CAUSES THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS THAT MY CAR HAS BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO CANNON NISSAN AT JACKSON MS. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS? PLEASE GIVE ME A RESPONSE ON THIS IF YOU CAN AT [XXX] OR [XXX]. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CARE AND ASSISTANCE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Mar 18, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-95 SOUTH, JUST NORTH OF EXIT 13. CLOUDY, RAINY EVENING COMMUTE ABOUT 5:50PM. I WAS SLOWING DOWN IN PREPARATION TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT MY EXIT AND I WAS TRAVELING IN THE SECOND TO RIGHT LANE. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A BANG AND WAS HIT SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD AND NECK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD COME THROUGH THE WINDOW AND HIT ME IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE. IT TOOK ME A FEW SECONDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED - THE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE HAD DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING OR COLLISION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING SPONTANEOUSLY DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURIES OR DEATH. I WAS ALSO LUCKY THAT MY 17 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. UPON EXAMINING THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO IMPACT DAMAGE ANYWHERE TO HAVE CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. WE CONTACTED NISSAN USA AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN QUOTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT $6000 (THE CAR ISN'T WORTH THAT MUCH). WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE VEHICLE AS COULD BE REASONABLY EXPECTED AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF REASONABLE CARE THOUGH NONE OF THE PARTIES SEEM INTERESTED IN ADDRESSING IT FURTHER. *TR
Structure, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 10, 2014, crash
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR OVERHEATED CAUSING BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR ENGINE STOPED RUNNING CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. *TR
Air bags, Mar 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Structure, Mar 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Wheels, Feb 27, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT WHEEL TIRE AND WHEEL COVER TO BREAK COMPLETELY. *TR
Structure, Feb 11, 2014
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE), AN HOUR LATER I WAS NOTIFIED FROM THE MECHANIC WITH PHOTOS OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER ((((SHOCKED))). HE SAID THE FLOOR PANS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. EXPLAINING THIS FURTHER, HE SAID HE COULD PUT A SCREWDRIVER THROUGH THE RUSTED AREA INTO THE CARPET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THAT IT WAS ALMOST TO THAT SAME POINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS OVER MILEAGE AND OUT OF WARRANTY. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND GAVE ME SOME OPTIONS TO FIX MY CAR......UNREAL AND COSTLY!!!! THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY SCARY TO THINK THAT THE FLOOR PANS COULD RUST OUT AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE SENSELESS FATALITIES. I FURTHER INVESTIGATED AND AFTER VIEWING ONLINE COMPLAINTS WAS DISTURBED TO SE THIS IS A WORLDWIDE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Power train, Feb 9, 2014
MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE. THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM STARTING AT 20000 MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INTERNET AND BLOGS WITH OTHER NISSAN OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM CAUSING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND OTHER SAFETY PROBLEMS LIKE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS LEAKING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 8, 2014
HI, I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 2008. I REVIEWED SERVICE RECORDS FROM 2005 PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY LARGE AMOUNT OF ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE MOST RECENT OF WHICH IS THE "GREY" AREA OF THE ECM ISSUE IN COORDINATION WITH FAMOUS THE CAMSHAFT CRANKSHAFT FAULT P0355 & P0131. I'M AN ENGINEER AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE MECHANICS OF A VEHICLE. THIS SENSOR WAS A FAULTY DESIGN FROM THE BEGINNING IN WHICH OIL COULD ENTER INSIDE THE SENSOR, THEREFORE CAUSING A SHORT AND DISABLING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME AND WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. TO FIX THE ISSUE CHEAPLY, NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE ECM IN ORDER TO RECOGNIZE THE ?FAULTY? CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PART. BUT IN ORDER TO SAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, NISSAN WOULD NOT INCLUDE THE WARRANTIED REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR DESIGN (MAGNET SENSOR). INSTEAD, THE CONSUMER (MYSELF) WOULD HAVE TO PAY BETWEEN $300 & $450 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED WITH THE ?NEW & IMPROVED VERSION?. NEW AND IMPROVED MEANS THE PROPERLY DESIGNED VERSION. THE INITIAL DESIGN SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT IT WASN'T. IT DOESN'T TAKE AN ENGINEER TO FIGURE THIS OUT BUT I AM ONE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ?BIG PICTURE? OF THE RECALL AND LACK OF INCLUSION OF THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPAIRS. I AM REQUESTING NISSAN TO COVER THE FULL COST OF THE CAMSHAFT & CRANKSHAFT SENSOR & THE ASSOCIATED LABOR. I WAS PUT IN HARM?S WAY DURING THE INITIAL RECALL ISSUE IN WHICH MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THAT IS A BAD ENOUGH EXPERIENCE. I AM NOT WILLING TO ALSO PAY NISSAN $400 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY SENSOR WHICH WAS A LARGE PART OF WHY THIS OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
Structure, Jan 22, 2014
FLOOR BOARDS ARE GETTING RUSTY PER STATE INSPECTION. *TR
Structure, Jan 16, 2014
THE FLOOR PAN FOR MY NISSAN ALTIMA HAVE RUSTED OUT MAKING IT DANGEROUS. AFTER SPENDING 5 MINS ON THE INTERNET, I LEARNED THIS IS VERY COMMON, AFFECTING 1,000'S OF 2005 ALTIMAS. IT IS ALWAYS IN THE SAME SPOT AND NISSAN REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HOLES ALLOW EXHAUST FUMES INTO MY CAR, MAKING DANGEROUS FOR MY CHILDREN TO RIDE IN CAR. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Structure, Jan 13, 2014
WE NOTICED RUST COLORED STAINS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR WHERE MY CAR IS PARKED, SO MY HUSBAND JACKED UP THE CAR AND SAW A HUGE RUSTED AREA IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. IT WAS SO BADLY CORRODED THAT HE EASILY PUT HIS FOOT THROUGH IT! WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 ALTIMA NEW IN 12/2004 AND IT ONLY HAS 81K MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WASHED AND DETAILED REGULARLY. APPARENTLY WE ARE NOT ALONE BASED ON WHAT WE'VE READ ONLINE. A NINE YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED OUT LIKE THAT! *TR
Structure, Jan 3, 2014
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED COMPLETELY THOUGH, HOLES IN FLOOR. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. *TR
Engine, Dec 27, 2013
DRIVING TO WORK...AT 25 MPH .... THE ENGINE CAME ON .....ALONG WITH THE OIL LIGHT....AND ALL OF THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD....AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP I THE MIDDLE OF STREET. THERE WERE FIVE CARS BEHIND THAT HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING MY CAR. *TR