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.
Air bags, Mar 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH IN REVERSE. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $800. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Electrical system, Mar 3, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN MY CAR REACHES APPROX 60 MILES AN HOUR IT JERKS AS IF IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. ONE TIME IT DID CUT OFF, JUST SO HAPPEN I WAS ABLE TO PULLOVER. ALSO THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK AT ALL, IT WILL STALL. WE HAVE REPLACED THESE PARTS ON THREE TIMES AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR GOING ON THREE YEARS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS WERE HAVING THESE ISSUES AND IF YOU LOOK YOU WILL SEE THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM COUNTLESS CONSUMERS. NO ACCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FAR AS I KNOW BUT WHY WAIT UNTIL ONE DOES. *TR
Steering, Mar 2, 2010
OOO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 25, 2010
THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS FINALLY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT IS THE CATALYST CONVERTER, THE PART ALONE COST AROUND 600.00, CAR IS A 2005 ALTIMA 2.5 WITH 120,000.00 MILES, WELL MAINTAINED. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I JUST SPENT OVER 300.00 TO REPAIR THE CRANKSHAFT AS MY VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND NOT START ALL THE TIME. ON TOP OF IT ALL I WAS ALSO JUST TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE INNER TIE ROD - ANOTHER 300.00 - THIS CAR IS TURNING OUT TO BE A PILE OF JUNK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 24, 2010
ON THE 2005 NISSAN ULTIMA 2.5 LITER ENGINES THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR FAILS PREMATURELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLS OUT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MPH PLACING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN GRAVE DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY ON INTERSTATE 65 WITH A HUGE POPULATION OF TRACTOR TRAILERS MOVING NORTH AND SOUTH ON I65. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGED THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I CHALLENGE YOU TO CONDUCT A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FIND NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN BUT IT APPEARS THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD ASK YOU ASTHE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY TO FORCE NISSAN TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL. ITS UNFORTUNATE NISSAN IS PLAYING THE SAME GAME AS TOYOTA AND SOMEONE MUST ACT ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE NOW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2010
CHECK ENGINE SOON SIGN. I USED FOR 4 1/2 YEARS AND THE WARRANTY IS FOR 8 YEARS. I WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 21, 2010
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE CAR DIED. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON IN THE PAST AND AFTER HAVING THE COMPUTER CLEARED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT CAR DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE BEFORE THE RPMS DROP BELOW 1000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 20, 2010
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE GOING ACROSS A BRIDGE. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR REGARDING REPROGRAMMING THE ECM IN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, I HAD TO GET MY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH ALTIMAS AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT, NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR
Visibility, Feb 19, 2010
MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FRONT WINDOWS ROLL DOWN WHILE I AM AWAY FROM THE CAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENS, BUT I AM WORRIED MY CAR WILL GET STOLEN OR RAINED ON/IN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 16, 2010
I WAS DRIVING IN THE COLD WEATHER FOR ABOUT 5 MIN, USING MY BRAKES NORMALLY, AND I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE AND THE DIDN'T MOVE, ONCE I STARTED PUMPING THEM AS HARD AS I COULD (WAS OUT OF SEAT STANDING ON THEM) THEY FINALLY WORKED. *TR
Power train, Feb 12, 2010
THE CLUTCH WILL LOSE PRESSURE LEADING TO THE INABILITY TO SHIFT. ONCE THIS STARTS TO HAPPEN, IT WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY UNTIL THE CAR SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS CAUSES UNSAFE SITUATIONS AT INTERSECTIONS AND ON THE HIGHWAYS DURING TRAFFIC. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM MOST OFTEN DURING HOT DAYS WITH LOTS OF STOP & GO DRIVING. OVER TIME/MILEAGE, THE CONDITION BECOMES MORE COMMON. THE DEALER EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT FIXED IT FOR AWHILE THEN IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. UNTIL THE CONDITION WAS HAPPENING ENOUGH FOR THE DEALER TO DETECT THE PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THEY EVENTUALLY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE MASTER & SLAVE CYLINDER AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2010
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR.THE SENSOR WAS RECALLED ON DECEMBER 2007. THE CRAFT SENSOR OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION AND MADE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IT HAPPENED ON FEB 5TH IN BOSTON, DID 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 12 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER ON THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE AND MOMENTS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE IS DRIVING HER VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC AND IT STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CAM SHAFT POSITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CALLED AND THEY SENT A $250 VOUCHER TO CONTACT FOR FUTURE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2010
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V-223. *NJ THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH ENGINE STALLING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TOOK THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF AND AFTER WAITING NEARLY TWO HOURS, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS REPROGRAMMED TO PREVENT STALLING OF THE ENGINE IN THE EVENT OF A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION FROM THE CRANK ANGLE SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS REASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND DIDN'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE ENGINE RANDOMLY STALLING. ON NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE VEHICLE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC'S SHOP, AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DETERMINED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF THE MONIES THAT WERE SPENT AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP IN THE AMOUNT OF $315.33. THE REPROGRAMMING OF ECM DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AS THE DEALER ORIGINALLY STATED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2010
MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 IS CONSUMING EXCESS OF OIL. 5 LITERS DURING 6 HOURS DRIVING CAUSING OVERHEATING THE MOTOR OR POSSIBLE FIRE. DURING MY TRIP A HAD TO REDUCE THE SPEED AND STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR HAD TO TOWARD TO THE DEALER BUT THEY JUST SAY THIS ISSUE WAS A DESIGN ISSUE ON THIS ALTIMA MOTOR MODEL. THIS HAPPEN WHEN CAR IS DRIVING TO HEIGHT SPEED. OIL CAN NOT FLOW PROPERLY THROUGH MOTOR AND IT GOES OUT THROUGH AIR DUCT. COVER OF MOTOR WAS DISASSEMBLED IN SEVERAL HOLES WERE MADE INTERNALLY TO LET OIL FLOW PROPERLY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2010
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA - WHEN GOING UP A GRADE THE VEHICLE DIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES ON TIOGA PASS, ON THE BAY BRIDGE, ON HWY 46 IN THE FOG, ON THE 580 ECT. MECHANIC INDICATES THAT THE COMPUTER CODE IS P2135 - THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, MECHANIC STATES THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED EMISSION WARRANTY. I'LL BE DRIVING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND SOMETIMES WHEN GOING UP A HILL THE CAR WILL DIE, THE LIGHTS AND RADIO STAY ON BUT THEIR IS NO POWER. I HAVE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. A NUMBER OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS LIKE ON THE BAY BRIDGE WHERE THERE ISN'T ROOM TO PULL OVER. LAST NIGHT I WAS ON CA 46AND IT WAS VERY FOGGY. THE CAR DIED AND THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ON. I HAD TO STOP IN THE LANE AND RESTART THE CAR, IN THE DARK AND FOG, ON A CURVY AND BUSY HWY. MY MECHANIC INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S. NO RECALLS/MANDATORY FIXES HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I'M LOOKING AT A $544 REPAIR BILL. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF IT MIGHT BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I DON'T HAVE THE VIN # BECAUSE THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP. I CAN GET THAT INFO TOMORROW IF YOU NEED IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Dec 31, 2009
WE HAVE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH THE 2.5 MOTOR, CARS ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER, AND ALL THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ECM, AND THAT WAS ALL., NOTHING ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER THAT RECALL. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT YEAR, THAT MODEL, AND THAT MOTOR. I EVEN CALLED A NISSAN REP; AND HE TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I HAD TO HAD TO HAVE MY CAR THAT WEEKEND SO I TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE SENSOR AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. I THINK I GOT '!@#$% BY NISSAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2009
THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS : - VEHICLE LOSES ENGINE POWER ON HIGHWAY (CRUISE SET TO 65, DROOPS TO 55 AND THEN PICKS UP AGAIN) - VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS - VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STARTING AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR A SHORT (LESS THAN 30 MINS) PERIOD OF TIME. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY MEINEKE AS A FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. A RECALL AFFECTING THIS CAR (07527000) WAS ISSUES BY ONLY TO FIX THE ECM, NOT THE SENSOR WHICH WAS AFFECTED AS WELL. I HAVE SEVERAL OTHER EXAMPLES OF SENSOR FAILURES ON THE MAKE AND MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED AND ARGUING WITH NISSAN TO MAKE THE REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 24, 2009
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON THE INTERSTATE SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR. AFTER I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEY DIAGNOSED I WANTED TO RESEARCH HOW I COULD FIX THE PROBLEM THAT IS HOW I RAN ACROSS THIS. HTTP://WWW.ACTIVETUNING.COM/BLOG2/2006/02/28/NISSAN-ALTIMA-CRANK-SENSOR-RECALL-BEING-REVIEWED/. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 23, 2009
2005 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK IS STUCK IN LOCK POSITION. AUTOMATIC LOCKS TOO. CAN'T UNLOCK OR GET DOOR OPEN. OTHER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER LOCK WHEN CAR GOES INTO GEAR LIKE ITS SUPPOSED TO. THIS STARTED IN 2008 WITH MY CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2009
VEHICLE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR HAS FAILED, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL #07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY, SO NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2009
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR IS CUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AND THEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX 84,00 MILES. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON BUT THERE IS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES THE CAR WILL START BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT NOTICE AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO PULL OVER. AFTER TAKING CAR INTO DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. THERE IS A RECALL TO HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT REPROGRAMMED BUT IT DOES NOT COVER REPLACEMENT. *TR
Power train, Nov 1, 2009
I HAD THE CLUTCH DROP TO THE FLOOR, GET SPONGY AND REALLY LOW WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME COSTING ME MONEY TO SIT UP IN A HOTEL OR MISS WORK MANY STATES AWAY. EVERY SINGLE TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR