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.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2009
THE CAR FAILED TO START AFTER REPEATED TRIES, THEN FINALLY STARTED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR. I HAD IT REPAIRED, AND THE REPAIRMAN SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF SOME 2005 NISSAN ALTIMAS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT ONE OF THEM. THE SYMPTOMS I EXPERIENCED ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL NOTICE 07V527000. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 9, 2009
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC YESTERDAY; ENGINE STALLED TWICE NEARLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT. AUTO WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER TODAY FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 5, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WILL HAVE TO PAY $700 FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD THE FINAL DECISION TO EITHER CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL FOR FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 199,750.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE EXPERIENCED A NO-START CONDITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. HE WAS INFORMED THAT BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL. LAST YEAR I GOT A RECALL TO REPROGRAM THE ECM FIXED ON MY CAR. MY CAR WAS SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER THE RECALLED WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED, THIS STOPPED HAPPEN UNTIL YESTERDAY. I THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS FIXED, THEN MY CAR JUST RANDOMLY STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I CRANK IT BACK UP AND TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I THOUGHT THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN WHO ADVISED ME IT WAS SOMETHING CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ECM REPROGRAMMING RECALL EVEN THOUGH NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON CRANKSHAFT SENSORS IN 2007. AND AFTER READING HERE AND OTHER PLACES I FIND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM NISSAN SINCE 2002. SO MY QUESTION IS WHAT WAS THE RECALL FOR IF IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND WHY AM I BEING CHARGE TO GET A NISSAN ERROR REPAIRED THAT APPARENTLY ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING. THIS IS INSANE!!! DOES HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO DO A RECALL TO FIX THE REAL PROBLEM? WILL IT TAKE A LAW SUIT? I THINK THE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2009
CAR HAS 77,000 MILES ON IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODES WERE READ IT IS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SEEMS THE ONLY RECALL FOR THIS WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR THAT WAS REPROGRAMMED, NOT REPLACED. THERE SEEMS TO BE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON REPLACING THE SENSOR NOT JUST REPROGRAMMING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING. THE CONTACT MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL EVERY FIVE MILES; HOWEVER, IT NEVER COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAULTY. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD INCLUDE HER VEHICLE IN THE RECALL IF THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT HER EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 05/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/14/09.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 29, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A "JUMP" IN THE VEHICLE AS IF SOMETHING SLIPPED. TWO DAYS LATER, SHE NOTICED MORE JUMPING SO SHE STOPPED TO GET GASOLINE BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED THAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT TWICE AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. A FRIEND STATED THAT THE SENSORS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION. HER FRIEND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HAD THE SENSORS CHANGED. AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC, THE ISSUE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY FAILURES SINCE THE LAST REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 AND THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,815 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 27, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO START AND WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS USED; HOWEVER, IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ECM WAS REPROGRAMMED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V527000 IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 26, 2009
NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING - ACCORDING TO WWW.NHTSA AND MULTIPLE OTHER SITES THIS IS A PROBLEM COVERED BY NISSAN RECALL 07V527000 - WE TOOK IT TO GWINNETT PLACE NISSAN FOR REPAIR - THEY SAID THIS AND ANOTHER SENSOR ARE BAD BUT NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL - THEN CHARGED ME $125 FOR "DIAGNOSTICS" TO DETERMINE THIS IS THE PROBLEM WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THEM EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND SHOWED THEM THE RECALL INFORMATION. HE SAYS THIS CAR VIN NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, BUT ACCORDING TO RECALL DESCRIPTION IT IS COVERED AND THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE ISSUE. WHEN A CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING, IT CAN LEAD TO VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES PUTTING THE DRIVER AND OTHERS AT RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS ILLNESS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME OVER $400 TO REPAIR AND THAT THEY WOULD APPLY THE $125 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO THE REPAIR IF WE OPTED TO HAVE IT DONE. SERVICE ADVISOR LISTED ON BILL AS C. MARK WYATT *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2009
THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO CAME ON, CREATED A NO START CONDITION. *TR
Steering, Apr 9, 2009
2005 ALTIMA BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT HAD RUSTED AND SEIZED. (HE FELT THE SEALS ON THE SHAFT ARE DEFECTIVE.) HE HAD TO BACKORDER THE PART, SO THERE APPEARS TO BE A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. (ONE DEALER HAD FOURTEEN IN STOCK AND ALL WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 9, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS REAR-ENDED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FORCE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR-END THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO THE MASSIVE IMPACT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE OPPOSING DRIVERS. THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED REAR BODY DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 7, 2009
CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. I HAD THE ECM RESET WITH THE RECALL BUT NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. THE CAR STALLS OUT ON ME ON THE INTERSTATE. IS THAT SAFE? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 6, 2009
I PURCHASED 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA USED FROM LONG-LEWIS FORD IN BIRMINGHAM, AL IN 2006. IN THE FALL OF 2008 I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A MAIN HWY AND MY CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CAUSING ANOTHER CAR TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. AT THE TIME I WAS 5 MONTHS PREGNANT WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR (I WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL AT THE TIME). I REPLACED IT AND THE CAR RAN FINE UNTIL APRIL 4, 2009. ON THIS DAY, I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I ARRANGE FOR A TOW THE NEXT DAY AND JUST BEFORE THEY GOT THERE I ASKED MY BROTHER TO TRY AND CRANK IT AND IT CRANKED RIGHT UP. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR THIS TIME. I WAS ALSO INFORMED OF THE RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I CALLED NISSAN TO CHECK ON THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED. WELL, EVIDENTLY IT IS!!! I ALSO DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS!!! THEY WERE ALSO TOLD AFTER MANY EXPENSIVE TRIPS TO THE DEALER THAT THEIR CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR RECALL. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THE MATTER. *TR SAMANTHA RIDLEY
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2009
NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST UNDER SLOW SPEEDS. IE BACKING UP OR DRIFTING FORWARD. NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND BROUGHT IT INTO A SERVICE STATION. CODE WAS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. PART WAS REALLY PRICEY SO I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND RECALL, OR SO I THOUGHT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000, SEEMED TO APPLY TO THE PROBLEM. NISSAN SAID NO IT DID NOT. WOULD LIKE TO FILE COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT ONLY THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO THE LACK OF SUPPORT IN A CLEARLY RECALLED ITEM REPAIR. I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN'S AFFECTED, BUT THE FACT THAT ALMOST 700,000 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED AND MINE JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE IS RIDICULOUS. I WOULD JUST LIKE MY CAR COVERED LIKE THE OTHER 700,000 THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR THANKS, TIM
Steering, Mar 27, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER FAILED. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COUPLER AT THE COST OF $300, BUT IT IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2009
THERE IS A DEFECT IN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF V6 EQUIPPED NISSAN VEHICLES MY 2004-2007. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-042 DESCRIBING THE ISSUE AND SOLUTION. POOR ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING DEFECTS LEAD TO ISSUES THAT CAN CAUSE THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS ON THESE VEHICLES TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT BECOME APPARENT UNTIL AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, I.E. AFTER 60,000 MILES OF SERVICE. REPAIR REQUIRES THE ENGINE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AND TORN DOWN TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. PARTS INCLUDE THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND CHAIN TENSIONERS. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO SUPPORT THEIR CUSTOMERS IN REGARD TO THESE REPAIRS. COST TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WILL RUN BETWEEN $1800 AND $2200 PER QUOTATION BY MY DEALER. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WOULD LIKELY CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. SHOULD SUCH FAILURE OCCUR UNDER HIGHWAY CONDITIONS, SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WITH CONCOMITANT INJURIES WOULD LIKELY RESULT. WHILE I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT NISSAN IS TAKING NO ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ISSUE AFFECTING A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THEIR FLEET FOR THESE MODEL YEARS. IN NORMAL SERVICE, THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION ARE NOW REACHING THE POINT WHERE THIS PROBLEM WILL BEGIN TO MANIFEST ITSELF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 26, 2009
MY CAR FAILS TO START ON OCCASION. THE FREQUENCY IS MONTHLY. THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO START BUT JUST DOESN'T. IF I WAIT SEVERAL SECONDS AND TRY AGAIN, THEN THE ENGINE STARTS. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE COMPLAINING THAT IT'S THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I THOUGHT THE RECALL FIXED THIS ISSUE BUT APPARENTLY NOT. SO MANY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING YET NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING. THIS IS MY FIRST NISSAN AND MY LAST. I'LL STICK TO HONDA NEXT TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 26, 2009
TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MAKING A BUZZING/WHINING NOISE AT THE ENGINE AREA. THIS WHOLE PROCESS STARTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 WHEN THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE AMOUNT OF $1,578.00 (+TAX). THEY EVEN SENT A "CPIA - GOODWILL RECOMMENDATION" REQUEST TO WHICH NISSAN'S MESSAGE BACK WAS "GOODWILL IS NOT RECOMMENDED". AT THAT TIME I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME WHY A TIMING CHAIN THAT IS MEANT TO OUTLAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHEN MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76,717 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALWAYS ENSURED IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AT THE INTERVALS RECOMMENDED AND I AM A VERY SAFE AND GOOD DRIVER AND KEEP MY VEHICLE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, IT IS NOT NEGLECTED IN ANYWAY. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PHONE THE NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING FURTHER THAT COULD BE DONE. AFTER 6 PHONE CALLS WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE THEY TOO DECIDED THAT THEY FELT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED A RECOMMENDATION TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. I SENT HIM A VERY DETAILED EMAIL REQUESTING ASSISTANCE, HE STATED HE'D LOOK INTO MY CONCERNS. UNFORTUNATELY, HE TOO RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE THAT NISSAN FEELS THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED IN ANYWAY TO REPAIR THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. AT THIS TIME I PLAN TO PURSUE THIS FURTHER BY CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND LEMON LAW TO SEE IF THEY CAN ASSIST IN ANYWAY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR THE CONSUMER TO PAY THE COST OF REPLACING A PART THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART, SINCE IT'S DESIGNED TO OUT LIVE THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, LAST I CHECKED 76,000+ MILES ON A NISSAN IS NOT THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE. I HOPE THAT NISSAN WILL FINALLY REALIZE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ASSIST IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER FOR ME. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 26, 2009
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L ENGINE. I HAD A RECALL ON MY CAR WHERE THEY WOULD RESET ECM TO KEEP THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FROM OVERHEATING AND THE CAR SHUTTING OFF. AFTER I TAKE MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS DONE 9MONTHS LATER MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. TALKED WITH NISSAN NUMEROUS TIMES THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MISTAKES THEY MADE NOT ME. OH AND THEN THEY CHARGED ME TO DISPOSE OF THE OLD PART WHICH THEY LEFT IN MY CAR. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT THE CHARGE WAS FOR AND HE SAID THAT OSHA MADE THEM CHARGE IT FOR DISPOSAL OF THE PART AND WHEN I TOLD HIM THE PART WAS STILL IN MY CAR HE SAID WELL IT IS FOR PAPERWORK FEE AS WELL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 18, 2009
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CAR SPUTTERED ALMOST STALLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CAR PARTS STORE AND BORROWED THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS DEVICE AND FOUND OUT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE ESM, BUT NOTHING GOING TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM (THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR). THROUGH MY RESEARCH I FOUND THE PROBLEMS ATTRIBUTED TO THIS PART ARE NOT STARTING, SPUTTERING WHILE DRIVING AND/OR SHUTTING-OFF WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS FOR NOT STARTING, BUT NO DIAGNOSIS COULD BE ATTAINED BY NISSAN. AFTER SPEAKING WITH DIFFERENT LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, THE SERVICE TECH ADMITTED THE PROBLEM IS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILING. I FEEL NISSAN IS PUTTING A BAND-AID ON THE REAL PROBLEM DISGUISING IT WITH THE ESM REPROGRAM. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON FORUMS, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND APPARENTLY NISSAN HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ALTIMA AS FAR BACK AS THE '03 MODEL YEAR. IT WAS ALSO STATED ON THE FORUMS THAT MULTIPLE SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OVER AND OVER. I AM NOW WORRIED ABOUT MYSELF AND MY YOUNG CHILD'S SAFETY AS THIS CAR IS OUR MAIN SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 17, 2009
DURING COLD WEATHER, I EXPERIENCED WHAT FELT LIKE A SEIZED BRAKING SYSTEM. THE WEATHER WAS CLOSE TO 0 AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER PRESSING WITH BOTH LEGS AS HARD AS I COULD, THE PEDAL GAVE AND THE CAR STOPPED. RESEARCH LED ME TO REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST LINE IN THIS AND MY WIFES 05 ALTIMA. PURCHASED BOTH ITEMS THROUGH THE DEALER AND IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, I WOULD LOVE A REFUND AS NISSAN SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Mar 14, 2009, crash
MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEREBY TWO CARS SIDESWIPED EACH OTHER. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE, RIPPING THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR OFF, EXPLODING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND DAMAGING THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER CAR'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MINE DID NOT. FROM THE IMPACT MY SON HIT HIS HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW, LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH THEN HIT A TREE. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT IMPACT WITH THE TREE. THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS TO NISSAN AND A 6-WEEK RUN AROUND BY NISSANS AIR BAG DIVISION I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH DECELERATION FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND I WAS AT THE SCENE. THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD. I WAS NEVER GIVEN ANY DETAILS JUST A SELF SERVING CONCLUSION FROM NISSAN AFTER A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME. I WAS ALSO GIVEN CONFLICTING INFORMATION AS TO WHEN AND WHERE THE CAR WOULD BE VIEWED. EXCUSES WERE MADE AS TO WHY THE OTHER VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS WENT OFF EVEN THOUGH NISSAN NEVER EXAMINED THE OTHER VEHICLE. *TR