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, Oct 20, 2009
I AM UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT IN MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 L.. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA HAS ISSUED TSB 04098 IN JULY 2005 ON THE ISSUE. I UST USE A SMALL SCREWDRIVER TO PRESS THE SAFETY SWITCH TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COST FOR CORRECTION OF THIS PROBLEM IS $590.00. *TR
Structure, Oct 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE SHARP LOWER CORNER EDGE OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR INJURED HER LEG. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR EXHIBITS THE SAME DEFECT. SHE WAS INJURED TWICE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FAILURES HAVEN'T BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,049.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 5, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL STALL, AND THEN RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR INSPECTION. A MECHANIC LOCATED THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODES: P0725 (ENGINE SPEED SENSOR) AND P0335 (CRANKSHAFT POSITION CENTER CIRCUIT). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,746.
Power train, Sep 28, 2009
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER WITH A KNOWN CLUTCH PEDAL ISSUE, IT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY 2 TIMES AND THE 3RD TIME THEY REFUSED BECAUSE I WAS A FEW MILES PAST THE 35K MILE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE REPAID WAS WITHIN THE 12K MILES THAT IT IS WARRANTIED FOR, I HAD TO GO ELSEWHERE TO FIX IT BECAUSE I NEED MY CAR. I THAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE THAN WHERE I HAVE TO KEEP PURCHASING PEDALS BECAUSE THE WELDS ON THE PEDAL DO NOT HOLD, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I WILL LOST MY CLUTCH AND CANT' SHIFT FEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS. THIS PEDAL HAS BEEN REPLACED 5TIMES AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE 6TH TIMES AND IT HAS DAMAGED MY CLUTCH, MY MECHANIC SAID DO TO THE STRESS FROM THE BAD PEDAL THE FORCED SHIFT ON MY CLUTCH HAVE CAUSE IT TO "SLIP" AND NOW I NEED TO PURCHASE AND HAVE INSTALLED A BRAND NEW CLUTCH THAT NISSAN WILL NOT WARRANTY EITHER. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 AND 2006 SER MODELS AND NISSAN WILL NOT DO A RECALL OR FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT COME WITH IT. MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS BAD ENGINEERING AND THE ISSUE WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN SO I HAVE A SPARE PEDAL WITH HIM AT ALL TIMES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 23, 2009
CONSUMER HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF A FAULTY CAM AND CRANK SENSOR. *NJ WHILE ENTERING A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL. AFTER SITTING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A HALF HOUR, THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AGAIN AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN A FAULTY CAM AND CRANK SENSOR WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CONSUMERS YEAR AND MODEL. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND SHE IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2009
MY VEHICLE A 2005 ALTIMA ISN'T STARTING PROPERLY, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID I HAVE A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURE, THIS MEANS THE CAR COULD SHUTDOWN AT ANY MOMENT WHILE I'M DRIVING IT!!! LUCKILY I DIDN'T CAUSE ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS SO I CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID MY CAR ISN'T COVERAGE UNDER THIS RECALL # 07V527000. SHAME ON NISSAN!!! I SPEND $255.45 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA S/SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A NO START CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $ 255.45 TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. UPON CONTACT SHE WAS ADVISED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE VIN RANGE SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,916. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. BL UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/15/09.*JB
Power train, Sep 15, 2009
THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR DURING DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL SINK SO LOW THAT IT LAYS ON THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AM UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS AT ALL. I WILL HAVE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAIT FOR ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT RANDOM TIMES AND DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY PARTICULAR EVENT DURING DRIVING. IT OCCURS DURING DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY, DIFFERENT WEATHER TYPES AND AT DIFFERENT TRAVELING SPEEDS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT 3-4 YEARS ON MY CAR. IT WAS FIRST REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY WITH ABOUT 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS. THE LAST VISIT I TOOK IT IN THE TECHNICIAN TOPPED OFF THE CLUTCH FLUID, BUT THIS DID NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND MANY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Power train, Sep 14, 2009
DEAR SIR, I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER WITH A 6 SPD. MANUAL TRANSMISSION APPROXIMATELY 14 MONTHS AGO USED WITH 33,000 MILE AND FACTORY DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY UNTIL 60,000 MILES. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 59,000 MILES. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO IRA NISSAN IN WOBURN MA FOR A RE-OCCURRING CLUTCH ISSUE ; CLUTCH PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE AND GRINDING IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO THIRD GEAR. UNDER WARRANTY, NISSAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. LAST MONDAY, A WEEK AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK, THE CLUTCH IS ONCE AGAIN SINKING TO THE FLOOR JUST AS BEFORE, AND THE NISSAN DEALER IS SAYING BECAUSE THE CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO, LEAVING ME WITH A CAR THAT IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE.THE CLUTCH FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY RETURNS WITHIN AN HOUR OR SO, MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT AT BEST TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC AND MAKING IT HARD TO REPLICATE ON CUE. THE CLUTCH APPEARS TO FAIL AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF DRIVING OR AFTER IT GETS WARM, WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALER DROVE IT FOR 7 MILE AND SAYS IT CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.. NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THE INTERNET LISTS OVER 60 INCIDENTS OF CLUTCH PEDAL SINKS TO FLOOR ON 02-06 NISSANS WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION, ESPECIALLY 05-06 NISSAN SER"S.- BUT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT? MY CASE NUMBER WITH NISSAN IS 6600267. I USE MY CAR PRIMARILY FOR COMMUTING GLOUCESTER TO WOBURN AND BACK AND I TYPICALLY DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED 6 OR SEVEN TIME NOW AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS WASN'T MENTIONED IN THE SALES BROCHURE FOR THIS MODEL NISSAN. THIS IS PROBLEMDANGEROUS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE BEING STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE. AND NOT KNOWING WHEN YOU CAN RELY ON YOUR CAR, AND WHEN YOU CAN'T? PLEASE ASSIST ME IN MAKING NISSAN DO THE RIGHT THING AND SIMPLY FIX THE CAR- THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND A WEEK LATER, STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY WON' T DO IT RIGHT. *TR
Power train, Sep 11, 2009
NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 3.5 V6 CLUTCH PEDAL THAT SINKS TO THE FLOOR WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2009
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE STALL. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MOMENTS. THE DRIVER RESUMED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRANK SENSOR. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FORM. JS UPDATED 10/5/09 *CN UPDATED 10/07/09
Power train, Sep 2, 2009
CLUTCH PEDAL WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING THAT I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HAD CARS BEHIND ME. *TR
Power train, Sep 2, 2009
CAR: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 3.5L V6. PROBLEM: CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR DURING NORMAL USE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESULTS. I HAVE REPORTED THAT INCIDENT TO NHTSA SEPARATELY. I HAD BEEN USING MY CAR FOR A 1500 MILE FAMILY TRIP. I WAS NEARLY HALFWAY THROUGH MY 12 HOUR ONE DAY RETURN TRIP. I GOT HUNG UP IN STOPPED TRAFFIC IN NY FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES. WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO A REST STOP AND HAD DINNER FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I RETURNED TO THE CAR, SPENT ANOTHER FIVE MINUTES IN TRAFFIC AND WAS MOVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AGAIN. THE CAR WAS LOADED WITH 2 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN AND ABOUT 125 POUNDS OF VACATION STUFF. UPON APPROACHING A TOLL BOOTH ON THE NY "EXPRESSWAY" I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH TO BEGIN DOWNSHIFTING AND DECELERATING FROM ROUGHLY 60 MPH. THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. SINCE THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE I WAS NOT CAUGHT COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND BEGAN PUMPING THE CLUTCH AS THE CAR COASTED IN TOWARDS THE TOLL BOOTH. I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT DID HAVE SOME SMALL DEGREE OF RETURN, BUT IT DID NOT REACH THE HEIGHT OF THE TYPICAL PICKUP POINT WHICH I ESTIMATE TO BE 6-8 INCHES OFF THE FLOORBOARD. PUMPING THE PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. I PLACED MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND LIFTED IT ALL THE WAY UP. PRESSING AGAIN HAD THE SAME RESULT. VERY LITTLE FRICTION. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TOLL WAS DEAD STOPPED TRAFFIC. THERE WAS ENOUGH FRICTION IN THE PEDAL TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH PLATES AND TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. THE TRAFFIC SPEED INCREASED AND AFTER A FEW HUNDRED YARDS THE CLUTCH RECUPERATED ON ITS OWN. I ALWAYS DOUBLE DECLUTCH AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CLUTCH PLATES IN MY CARS. SEE THIS LINK FOR MANY SIMILAR CONSUMER STORIES:HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2005-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-SE-R-DISCUSSION/229124-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-CLUTCH-PROBLEM.HTM. *TR
Power train, Sep 1, 2009
CAR: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R W/ 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 3.5L V6. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY CLUTCH PEDAL BOTTOMS OUT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER IN THE NISSAN FORUM. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY A FEW PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED TO NHTSA. I USED MY CAR ON A SUNDAY MORNING FOR A SHORT RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE (APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES ROUND TRIP). I LEFT THE CAR IN THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT ON MY BLACKTOP DRIVEWAY ALL DAY (ABOUT 85 DEGREE F). IN THE LATE AFTERNOON I STARTED MY CAR TO PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. BEFORE I TURNED THE IGNITION I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO PICKUP POINT. THE PEDAL WAS EASILY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE TYPICAL RESISTANCE IN THE PEDAL THROW WAS NONEXISTENT. THE CAR WAS ALREADY IN GEAR AND WHEN I LET THE CLUTCH OUT THERE WAS BARELY ENOUGH RESISTANCE TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH PLATES AND PULL THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE. THE PICKUP POINT WAS JUST A COUPLE OF INCHES OFF THE FLOORBOARD, WHEREAS THE USUAL PICKUP POINT IS ANYWHERE FROM 6-8 INCHES. I LEFT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON MONDAY. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR ON TUESDAY TO BRING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS NO ISSUE AT ALL. I PAID MY $46.50 TO GET THIS ON RECORD WITH THE DEALER. THEY OF COURSE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ERROR (AS WITH NEARLY EVERY OTHER PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM) AND SAW NO CLEAR DEFECTS UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE THE COMPLETE PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP IF THE NHTSA ODI INVESTIGATOR WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FOR A HISTORY OF THE MANY INCIDENTS PLEASE SEE THIS PAGE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2005-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-SE-R-DISCUSSION/229124-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-CLUTCH-PROBLEM.HTML. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE NOTICED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A CONSEQUENCE HER RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY AND CRASH WERE INCREASED. APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF RECALL# 07V527000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN WHICH A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CAMSAHFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/16/09.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN THREE MINUTES. AN AUTO ZONE TECHNICIAN'S DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER SENSOR IN HER VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NO RELATED RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 6, 2009
MY COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO MANY OTHERS I HAVE SEEN. I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000 MILES. ON A RECENT TRIP I NOTICED DIFFICULTY CRANKING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WAS 5 HOURS FROM MY HOME WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. IT WAS A WEEKEND, SO NO NISSAN DEALER WAS OPEN OR EVEN IN THE VICINITY OF MY LOCATION. AFTER CROSSING ALL FINGERS AND NURSING THE CAR HOME, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY NORMAL DEALER ON MONDAY MORNING. I WAS TOLD THE "TECH FOUND A CODE FOR A FAILED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR". THE SERVICE MANAGER CHECKED MY VIN FOR ANY BULLETINS OR RECALLS AND FOUND NONE. I WAS CHARGED $230 TO REPLACE THE FAILED PART. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT BASED ON THE FAILURE FREQUENCY RATE OF THIS SENSOR. AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND VOICEMAILS I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CHARGES. I ASKED IF THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SENSOR WAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IN THEIR DECISION - THE ANSWER WAS NO. I ASKED WHAT THE FAILURE RATE WAS FOR THE SENSOR - MY REP, THE REGIONAL SPECIALIST, DID NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THERE IS A STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT RATE OF FAILURE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ALONG WITH SEVERAL REDESIGNS OF THE OEM PART. NISSAN DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. I AM DISAPPOINTED AS, UP UNTIL NOW, I HAD BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE AND WITH NISSAN OVERALL. *TR
Power train, Jul 31, 2009, crash
THE MOTORIST AND LAWFUL OWNER OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 (29K MILES) WAS DRIVING ON CLOUDY BUT DRY JULY 21 '09, AT 9:50AM, 4.5 MILES FROM HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK. MOTORIST PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO THE STUDENT CENTER, AND DROVE AROUND LOOKING FOR SUITABLE PARKING SPOT. AFTER ONE LAP AT CREEPING SPEED OF 5 MPH, MOTORIST FOUND AN UNOCCUPIED PARKING SPOT FACING THE WOODS. MOTORIST PULLED INTO AVAILABLE PARKING SPOT, NOSE FIRST, AND SLOWED DOWN. WHEN AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STILL STAND, MOTORIST THEN INTENDED TO SHIFT THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE 'D' INTO THE 'P' POSITION, GOING THROUGH 'N, R'. WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BREAK PEDAL, MOTORIST SHIFTED GEARSHIFT FORWARDS, WHEN THE GEARSHIFT SUDDENLY GOT STUCK IN THE 'N' POSITION. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE, HOWEVER, UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED LOUDLY. THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARDS, RUNNING OVER A 4-FOOT LONG, 8-INCH TALL CONCRETE STOPPER BLOCK, THEN GOING OVER THE 6-INCH HIGH SIDEWALK, AND INEVITABLY MOVING INTO THE WOODS, WHERE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT, WITH GEARSHIFT STILL BEING IN 'N' POSITION. SHAKEN BY THIS STARTLING EXPERIENCE AND BY DRIVER'S AIRBAG, MOTORIST INSTANTANEOUSLY TURNED CAR'S ENGINE OFF BY TURNING THE IGNITION KEYS COUNTERCLOCKWISE. THE TRAUMATIZED AND BRUISED MOTORIST NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM STEERING WHEEL, THUS DECIDED TO STEP OUT OF VEHICLE. AT 1ST GLANCE, THE COLLISION DAMAGED RIGHT FENDER, BOTTOM METAL FRAME, HOOD, RIGHT HEADLIGHT AS WELL AS BUMPER. WITNESSES ASSISTED MOTORIST IN ARRANGING TOW-TRUCK TO PICK-UP INCAPACITATED VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT LIES IN MECHANICAL FAILURE: A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AN UNDEPENDABLE TRANSMISSION. LUCKILY, NO PEDESTRIANS WERE IN THE WAY OF THE UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE. A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT, AND A REPLACEMENT OF ALL FAULTY PARTS OR VEHICLE, IS HIGHLY ADVISABLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2009
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR DOWN THE ROAD, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR BACK UP, AND WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. I THEN HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED, AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR CRANKED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY, I WENT INTO TOWN, AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER A FEW TRIES, BUT IT THEN DROVE FUNNY THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE CAR, BUT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL. I FOUND IT AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET WHEN I GOT HOME. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. APPARENTLY THE RECALL IS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. I AM UPSET BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS RECALL, AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR. I BOUGHT IT NEW. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL NOW, WHICH MEANS I HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2009
BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS W/ 2005 ALTIMA ENGINE STOPPING WHILE DRIVING. FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL, TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. TOLD THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL AND WAS CHARGED $260.00 WHEN THE RECALL FORM SAID THAT IT WOULD BE A FREE SERVICE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2009
MY 2005 ALTIMA WAS RECALLED BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS) GETS HOT, FAILS TO SEND SIGNALS TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FAST ENOUGH, SO THE ECM SHUTS DOWN THE ENGINE, INCREASING THE DANGER OF BEING INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 ). IN JUNE, MY CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOWED IT HOME AND DISCOVERED VIA A CODE READER THAT THE CPS FAILED, AND BY GOOGLE & THE NHTSA WEB SITE THAT THIS WAS PART OF THE RECALL ID'D ABOVE. THE REMEDY IS TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD THIS CAR WHEN NEW, AND DROPPED OFF THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY THE NISSAN DEALER LEFT ME A SELF-SERVING AND DECEPTIVE MESSAGE (THAT I CAN SEND YOU IN AUDIO FORMAT OR TRANSCRIBED TO TEXT) INSINUATING THAT ALONG WITH THE FREE REMEDY (REPROGRAMMING THE ECM), THE CPS HAD BEEN REPLACED FOR $257. I STOPPED BY THE DEALER TO DISCUSS THIS, AND TO MY RELIEF (SINCE THE RECALL REMEDY DIDN'T REQUIRE THIS $257 REPAIR) THE CPS HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER I EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE THE NEXT HOT DAY. NISSAN'S ECM REPROGRAMMING REMEDY HAD NO EFFECT - THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CODE READER AGAIN SAID CPS FAILURE. I OPENED A FILE WITH NISSAN USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS, WHO ASSIGNED A REP. THE REP. FIRST SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, THEN CALLED ME AND REFUSED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE CPS (A $37 PART). WHY DOESN'T THIS RECALL INCLUDE REPLACING THE CPS (NISSAN'S RECOMMENDED FIX, WHEN THE ECM REPROGRAMMING FAILS)? THIS PARTIAL RECALL IS PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IT'S: #1 ALMOST FREE FOR NISSAN (NO PARTS, MINUTES OF LABOR) #2 IN MY CASE INEFFECTIVE, CAUSING NO CESSATION OF ACCIDENT RISK (A COMMON PROBLEM, I'D BET) #3 LIMITED TO ONLY ONE OF THE 2 FAILING PARTS IN A CLOSELY INTEGRATED FAILURE PATTERN #4 AN EFFECTIVE "LOSS LEADER" - BRINGING CUSTOMERS TO THEIR GARAGE, ALLOWING NISSAN TO MAKE MONEY (E.G. REPLACING THE $37 CSP FOR $257) #5 HARD TO VERIFY (NO VISIBLE NEW OR OLD PARTS TO PROVE THEY DID THE ECM REPROGRAMMING). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 1, 2009
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 AND IN NOV OF 2009 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR DUE TO A ECM REPROGRAM(CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CODE R0712).ON JUNE 27 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN THE CORNER AT 10MPH THE CAR SHUT OFF,IT RESTARTED BACK UP RITE AWAY SO I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT.HOWEVER THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND IT DIDN'T RESTART RIGHT AWAY.ON MONDAY JUNE 29TH I CALLED NISSAN AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT.I TOOK MY CAR IN TO NISSAN OF HAYWARD CA ON JUNE 30TH AT 8:30AM DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM, THE GUY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED IN THE RECALL(WHICH I KNEW WAS UNTRUE) BUT THAT THERE WAS A UPGRADE THAT HAD TO BE DONE ON THE CARS COMPUTER BUT THAT IT MITE NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT COULD BE THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR.AFTER THE REPROGRAMMING WAS COMPLETE I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER CODES THAT CAME UP AND THAT REPROGRAMMING THE ECM FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE OK.UNFORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND TO WORK AND SOON AS WE WERE TAKING OFF FROM THE LIGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN AND DID NOT RESTART FOR 10 MINUTES.NISSAN REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER IN MY CAR AND PROBABLY IN MANY OTHER 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA'S HOWEVER JUST LIKE IN MY CASE REPROGRAMMING THESES COMPUTERS ISN'T ENOUGH BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE CAR AND I FEEL LIKE NISSAN SHOULD TAKE MORE CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITY THAN JUST REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER WHEN IT CLEARLY ISN'T FIXING THE VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT THESE VEHICLES IMPOSE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM TO MY FAMILY AND OTHERS AS MY CAR IS JUST SHUTTING DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ON BEHALF OF NISSAN TO ENSURE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ASSISTED IN THE PROPER MANNER. *TR
Power train, Jul 1, 2009
MY CLUTCH PEDAL GETS STUCK TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES. *TR
Power train, Jun 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. SUDDENLY, THE TRANSMISSION BRAKE ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST OR ASSUME LIABILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THERE WERE RECALLS LISTED FOR THE SAME FAILURES FOR PREVIOUS YEAR VEHICLES (SAME MAKE AND MODEL), BUT NONE FOR THE 2005 ALTIMA. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF MORE THAN $200. THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 97,000.