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, Jun 17, 2013
BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANS HAVE ROTTED THROUGH. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 12, 2013
AFTER DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON A VERY HOT DAY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL LOST PRESSURE AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE AND SHIFT GEARS. THE PEDAL LOST ALL BUT THE LAST AMOUNT OF PRESSURE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. ALWAYS OCCURS IN WARM, HUMID WEATHER AND HEAVY USAGE. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF ALL PRESSURE IS LOST AND SHIFTING IS IMPOSSIBLE. THIS MUST BE CORRECTED! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 10, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE RECALL HAD ENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 5, 2013
THE FIRST TIME CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TURNING AND THE STEER GOT REAL STIFF. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS REAL SCARY!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED SEVERAL MINUTES LATER AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 7/3/13 *CN
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 3, 2013
VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED OFF AND DANGEROUSLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TRYING TO START IT, IT FINALLY DID AND I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MILES WITHOUT NO FURTHER INCIDENTS. *TR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS THE FAILURE OF THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH HAD EARLIER BEEN REPROGRAMMED IN 2008 DUE TO A RECALL TO AVOID SUCH A SUDDEN STALL FROM HAPPENING. NISSAN WAS NOT HELPFULL OTHER THAN REPLACING THE SAME SENSOR FROM AND CHARGE YOU A BOMB FOR IT. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CAN A DO A BETTER JOB WHEN ADDRESSING THEIR RECALLS RATHER THAN PROVIDING A BAND AID SOLUTION TO THEIR RECALLS. DURING THEIR RECALL CAMPAIGN, THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THIS SENSOR FROM THE GET GO RATHER THAN JUST REPROGRAMMING THE ECM WHICH STILL DIDNT ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUE OF SAFETY FOR SUCH A SENSOR FAILING WITHOUT ANY WARNING.
Structure, May 30, 2013
FLOORBOARDS ON NISSAN COMPLETELY RUSTED FROM OUTSIDE IN. CARPETING INSIDE OF CAR STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR, BUT NISSAN CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WILL NOT COVER COST OF REPAIR. PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN MAY 2006 - WAS 2005 MODEL. SUMMER 2009 PUT A BIKE HITCH ON CAR AND MUFFLER BOLTS WERE RUSTED BUT UNDERSIDE OF CAR STILL LOOKED GREAT. MUFFLER STILL ON THE CAR, BUT FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. ALMOST $2000 TO REPAIR. CAR WAS NEVER IN ACCIDENT, NEVER IN FLOOD AND ALWAYS CLEANED AND MAINTAINED. I FOUND A PIECE, ALMOST A SHEET OF RUST ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. UNDERCOATING ON THE PIECE WAS STILL THERE, BUT RUST COULDN'T HOLD IT TOGETHER ANY LONGER. WHEN POINTED OUT WHAT THIS ACTUALLY WAS SHOCKED. FEET ON THE PAVEMENT WHEN DRIVING WAS THE NEXT STEP. SEE VIDEO HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HI7F1EFHB00. *TR
Structure, May 22, 2013
I HAVE A 2005 ALTIMA WITH 49500 MILES. WHEN I RECENTLY GOT NEW TIRES, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FLOORBOARD WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHETHER ITS FUMES GETTING INTO THE CAR OR DEBRIS FROM THE FLOORBOARD FALLING IN THE ROAD. I CONTACTED NISSAN NATIONAL AND THEY SENT ME TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ESTIMATE AND HAVE IT SENT TO NISSAN NATIONAL. NISSAN NATIONAL SAID MY ISSUE WOULD GO TO NISSAN CONSUMER REVIEW, WHO DECIDED THE FLOORBOARD RUSTING OUT WAS ENVIRONMENTAL. ARE CAR OWNERS IN WINTRY STATES FOREWARNED THAT IF THEY HAVE A NISSAN THE FLOORBOARDS MIGHT RUST OUT? MY CAR IS CLEAN WITH NO OTHER RUST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 21, 2013
CAR FELT HOT EVEN AFTER SITTING AND WHEN WEATHER WAS COOL. CAR CUT OFF ON ME AT A STOPLIGHT, AND ANOTHER TIME WHILE STOPPED. CAR SEEMED TO SLIP GEARS A FEW TIMES. *TR
Electrical system, May 19, 2013
THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. AT TIMES THEVEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START. *TR
Engine, May 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE BOTH REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Structure, May 11, 2013
THE FLOOR BOARDS ON MY CAR ARE RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE HAD IT ESTIMATED AT MULTIPLE AUTO BODY SHOPS AND THEY KNEW BEFORE SEEING THE CAR THAT IT WAS A NISSAN. I DID LOTS OF ONLINE RESEARCH AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DEFECT WITH THE NISSANS. I ALSO SAW THAT AFTER FILING THIS COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA, THAT SOME CUSTOMERS HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED BY NISSAN AT NO COST. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS GARAGED AND REGULARLY WASHED. *TR
Structure, May 2, 2013
NOTICED FLOOR PAN ON PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2005 ALTIMA HAS RUSTED OUT. THE HOLE IS CLEAN THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF CAR. APPROXIMATE 8" HOLE. *TR
Structure, May 2, 2013
BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR STATE INSPECTION TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE TOO SOFT TO PASS INSPECTION. INSPECTED THE VEHICLE MORE CLOSELY MYSELF AND NOTICED THE FLOOR BOARDS HAD BEEN ROTTING. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 85K ON IT. HEARD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH A LOT OF NISSAN ALTIMAS AND FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS SINCE NISSAN HAS DONE LITTLE OR NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I'M NOT ONE OF THE FLINTSTONES. *TR
Structure, Apr 29, 2013
THE WHEEL WELL LINER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CAME LOOSE AND AFTER FLAPPING AGAINST THE TIRE, ROAD, AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT; BECAME TOTALLY DISCONNECTED AND FELL ONTO A COUNTY HIGHWAY. IT WAS REPLACED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP'S MECHANICS, AND THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET! *TR
Structure, Apr 11, 2013
OWNER OF 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. TWO WEEKS AGO MECHANIC HAD UP ON RACK FOR OIL CHANGE. BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SIGNIFICANT RUSTING OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANS. I CALLED NISSAN AND FILED A CLAIM, BUT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHILE THEY WERE SORRY TO HEAR I WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED TO SAID HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POSTS ON NHTSB WEBSITE AND OTHER BLOGS. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT LEADS TO A SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD STAND BEHIND THIS REPAIR. *TR
Tires, Apr 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, EQUIPPED WITH VREDESTEIN TIRES (N/A), LINE ULTRAK TECNARA (N/A), SIZE: 225/45/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SIDEWALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BECAME SEPARATED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND THE WEATHER WAS EXTREMELY HOT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE WITH THE SPARE HOWEVER, THE SIDEWALL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ALSO BECAME SEPARATED. THE RETAILER WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO AN EXPIRED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,100. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Apr 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD WOULD BECOME WET WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN. THE CONTACT RAN WATER DOWN THE WINDSHIELD AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE IF WATER WAS ENTERING THROUGH THE DASHBOARD AREA, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 134,000. *TR
Structure, Apr 2, 2013
I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. I TOOK MY CAR TO GET INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO RUST AND ROTTING UNDER THE CAR. NISSAN, DOES NOT REPAIR THIS. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OF INDIVIDUALS ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MODELS FROM 02 - 06. ALL OF JAPANESE CARS WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR FROM 05 BRAND NEW, I'M THE ONLY OWNER WITH NO ACCIDENTS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD DO A RECALL ON ALL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THEY CHARGE YOU ALL THIS MONEY FOR CARS, THEY KNOW SOON WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY DON'T PROTECT THE CAR WITH THE UNDER COATING. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON NISSAN!!! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 1, 2013
I WAS STARTING MY CAR ON 03/23/2013 AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL SO I TRIED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I CALLED NISSAN REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE CRANKSHAFT ISSUE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL AND I HAVE READ SEVERAL POST OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN IS NOT OWNING UP TO AND TAKING CARE OF THE ISSUE FURTHERMORE WHEN I AM DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTS TO WANT TO STALL BUT THANKFULLY I WAS GOING AT A DECENT SPEED FOR IT NOT TO DO THAT I DID GO TO HAVE A TEST RAN ON THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND IT CAME BACK TO BE A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT I WENT TO O'REILLY'S AUTO PARTS AND WHEN I TOLD THE NISSAN REP HE SAYS THAT THE MACHINE AT O'REILLY'S WAS ONLY TAKING A GUESS BUT I DONT BELIEVE THAT ONE BIT. *TR
Structure, Mar 24, 2013
WENT TO GET MY FIRST INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AND IT FAILED AND I COULD NOT GET STICKER. IT FAILED BECAUSE I HAVE LARGE RUST HOLES ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR PANS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CARPET IS EXPOSED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK AS MY FOOT COULD GO THROUGH IT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Mar 18, 2013
VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR AT LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP FOR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACEMENT. DURING REPAIR, MECHANIC HAD VEHICLE UP ON LIFT AND NOTED SEVERE RUST TO THE FLOORBOARD AREA OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. RUST DAMAGE IS SO SEVERE IT IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY COMPLETELY THROUGH. UPON MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION VIA THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS NOTING THE SAME SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE SAME LOCATION (FLOORBOARD) OF THEIR NISSAN ALTIMAS AS WELL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY NISSAN.
Structure, Mar 15, 2013
I JUST DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS OF BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE IN THE BOTTOM IS FULLY RUSTED. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 2005 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 14, 2013
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE NHTSA AND NISSAN CAN IGNORE MY COMPLAINTS AND CALLS THAT MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND HAVE MADE REGARDING MY FAULTY AIRBAGS AND MY SEAT BELTS. I WAS GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY SEAT BELTS ALONG WITH MY 2 CHILDREN THAT WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME DIDN'T LOCK FOR THEM EITHER. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WE SUFFERED FROM MEDICAL ISSUES BECAUSE OF THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW NISSAN NOR ANYONE ELSE FOR THIS MATTER WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I'M THINKING ITS TIME THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO THE MEDIA AND ALSO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I HAD PUT MY TRUST IN THESE MANUFACTURES THAT HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT US AS THEY SAID THEY WOULD. YET WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THEY REALLY DON'T CARE. CAN ANYONE GIVE ANY OTHER ADVICE? *TR
Structure, Mar 1, 2013
I HAD DISCOVERED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ALTIMA RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW THE AUTO WAS DISCOVER TO HAVE A WATER LEAK SOAKING THE CARPETING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. NISSAN (DEALER) HAD INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BUT EVIDENTLY HAD NOT WITH THE FLOOR RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS STATED. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 2005 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.