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, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2017
TRANSMISSION ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. IT HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING AND THEN STOPS OR JERKS.
Power train, Engine, May 15, 2017
NISSAN USED PARTS IN THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM WHICH PREMATURELY FAIL AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR AFTER WARRANTY. THE ISSUE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DISCOVERED UNTIL IT HAD ALREADY FAILED AND IN THIS CASE, IS NOT A REPAIR THE OWNER CAN PERFORM ON THEIR OWN. CERTAIN MECHANICS HAVE EVEN CHOSE NOT TO PERFORM THIS REPAIR AND THE ONES WHICH ARE ABLE TO, CHARGE IN THE $2000+ RANGE. WHEN CONTACTING NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAD SAID IT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE THE TIMING IS EFFECTED, THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN SEEM TO HAVE DROPPED IN PERFORMANCE IN WHICH I HAVE VERY SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AND CANNOT READY SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH. THERE IS NO WAY I WAS ABLE TO EVEN CHECK IF THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM HAD SIGNS OF GOING BAD, AND IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS. THIS FAULTY SYSTEM CREATES AN UNSAFE, UNRELIABLE MACHINE WHICH NISSAN SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY.
Engine, Apr 27, 2017
IN 2008, MY CAR STATED HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING FOR A FEW WEEKS THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS FOR THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I CHECKED WITH NISSAN AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2005 ALTIMAS BUT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPLACE. LAST WEEK MY CAR TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING AND SHORTLY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I FORWARDED AN E-MAIL TO NISSAN ASKING WHAT WAS THE PARAMETERS OF THE RECALL AS THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME MY CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM. THEY RESPONDED THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM MY LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE DEALT WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN THE PAST AND THERE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS SENOR CAN CAUSE MY CAR TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. I AM IN FEAR THIS WILL HAPPEN ON A NYC HIGHWAY, IN A DESERTED OR HIGH CRIME AREA. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE THAT WOULD MAKE NISSAN PAY FOR THIS $400.00 PLUS REPAIR?
Structure, Apr 24, 2017
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED THROUGH TOTALLY. WOULD NOT PASS PA. INSPECTION. PER MY MECHANIC RUSTED BECAUSE HOW NISSAN ROUTES THE DRAIN HOSE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER CAUSE THE PREMATURE/UNSAFE HOLES. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO RIDE IN THE CAR, TO WHERE INJURY WAS CERTAIN. TOOK TO AUTO BODY SHOP AND THEY ALSO SAID THE SAME CAUSE FOR THE RUSTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS. MY NISSAN ALTIMA WASN'T THE FIRST NISSAN ALTIMA THEY REPLACED THE FLOOR BOARDS. AGAIN THEY STATED VERY DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THIS CAR! IT COST ME $528.94 FOR THIS REPAIR! I WANT REIMBURSED! I ONLY INCLUDED THE PASSENGER PICTURE OF FLOOR BOARD DUE TO SIZE ALLOWED TO DOWNLOAD. THE DRIVER SIDE JUST AS BAD!
Engine, Apr 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2017
I WAS DRIVING MYSELF AND CO WORKER HOME FROM WORK. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET MY CAR JUST STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT START. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR LIVES WERE PUT AT RISK DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE CAM SHAFT POSITION CENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSIAN ALTIMA. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAMSHAFT POSITION CENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE CAMSHAFT CENSOR. *JS
Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2017
A PERSON FROM MY JOB AT STERICYCLE BY THE NAME OF MICHAEL WYGEL WHO WORKS AS AN I.T. TECHNICIAN AT SHRED-IT/STERICYCLE LOCATED AT 81 WALSH ROAD IN PARSIPPANY NJ, KEEPS ILLEGALLY REMOTELY HACKING MY CAR. THE LIGHT COMES ON SAYING "TCS OFF" AND ANOTHER LIGHT COMES ON WITH IT STATING "SLIP." WHEN HE DOES THIS AND THESE LIGHTS COMES ON, THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE SAFELY AT ALL. THE CAR DOESN'T GO INTO GEAR EASILY AND IT SEEMS TO BE VERY ROUGH TO SWITCH GEARS. ALSO THE STEERING IS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN HE DOES THIS AS WELL AS THE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE TOO. THIS LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM VERY TERRIFIED. HE HAS BEEN STALKING ME ONLINE FOR MONTHS SINCE I FOUND OUT THE I.T. DEPT PUT WEBCAMS IN THE COMPUTER STANDS AT MY JOB, AND SINCE HE HAS BEEN ELECTRONICALLY STALKING ME-WITH THIS ILLEGAL SICK REMOTE CAR HACKING BEING A PART OF HIS MALICIOUS BEHAVIOR TOWARDS ME IN HIS EFFORTS TO CLEARLY HARM ME. I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND SAFETY. CAR HACKING AS YOU KNOW IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I DO NOT WANT HIM TO DO THIS TO ME. HIS BLUE TOOTH # IS: 44:00:10:CE:21:AE AND HIS BLUETOOTH NAME IS: BRAVEN BRV-1 AND BRAVEN-BRV-X(?)
Air bags, Apr 7, 2017
AIR BAG SIGNAL ON AND OFF DOES NOT FUNCTION IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR CHOCK.
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2017
SAME PROBLEM AS MANY NISSAN ALTIMAS..JUST FOUND OUT FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 1, 2017
CARS SHUTS OFF WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2017
RECALL MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERR0712 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER07V-527 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE
Vehicle speed control, Mar 17, 2017
CAR ACCELERATES IN AN UNCONTROLLED FASHION WHILE DRIVING .
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2017
HI HOW ARE YOU? SOMEONE RECENTLY BROKE INTO MY VEHICLE AND SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCIDENTS OF REMOTE VEHICLE HACKING WHICH ARE EXTREMELY SCARY TO ME AND AS YOU KNOW, ILLEGAL. CAN YOU PLEASE CHECK THIS FOR ME? I READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD TO I DID EMAIL THE FBI TOO. MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS: [XXX] AND I HAVE A LIGHT GREEN NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. MY LICENSE PLATE NUMBER IS: [XXX]. I BELIEVE THE PERSON WHO DID THIS IS SOMEONE IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT MY JOB. I WORK AT: [XXX] THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TECHNICIAN WORKS REMOTE IN ALBANY NY FROM HIS HOME. HIS NAME IS [XXX]. HIS PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX]. HE HAS ALSO BEEN ELECTRONICALLY STALKING ME 24/7. I DON'T WANT ANYONE REMOTELY CONTROLLING MY VEHICLE EVER! THIS IS SCARY! WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD DO THAT. PLEASE CHECK THIS FOR ME. I DON'T WANT ANYONE REMOTELY CONTROLLING MY CAR. PLEASE CHECK THIS FOR ME TO ENSURE MY SAFETY AND IF NECESSARY CAN I HAVE NEW CODES FOR MY VEHICLE. I DON'T WANT THIS PERSON TO KILL ME ON THE ROAD BY TURNING MY ENGINE OFF. THANK YOU SO MUCH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Mar 12, 2017
DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS RUSTED THROUGH RESULTING IN: 1. INCREASED ROAD NOISE 2. AIR ENTERING VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 3. WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AND SOAKING THE CARPETING IN RAIN STORMS, ETC POSSIBLY CREATING MOLD 4. EASY ACCESS FOR RODENTS/VERMIN
Structure, Mar 10, 2017
REPORTING ROTTING FLOORBOARD ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT'S A POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERN AS VAPORS COULD ENTER PASSENGER AREA. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND WOULD HOPE NISSAN AS A SELF PROCLAIMED TOP SAFETY PICK WOULD STAND BEHIND THIS ISSUE I BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS FLOORBOARD ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE.
Structure, Mar 7, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Mar 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Structure, Mar 1, 2017
THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE DRIVERS FEET ARE COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THE CARPET IS THE ONLY THING FROM KEEPING MY FEET FROM GOING THROUGH TO THE ROAD. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL OF CAR AND YET, NISSAN WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS A SIDE NOTE, MY CAR IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION, OTHER THAN THE CONDITION OF THE FLOOR BOARDS.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 20, 2017
CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS ARE FAULTY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES ALREADY. STALLED ON HIGHWAY WHILE GOING 65MPH.
Engine, Jan 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Structure, Jan 2, 2017
I STARTED LEASING MY ALTIMA IN 2008 AND PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT 4 YEARS LATER. I TOOK IT TO HAVE MY MUFFLER CHECKED, BECAUSE I HEARD NOISE, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FLOORBOARD ON THE FRONT , PASSENGER SIDE, IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE ONLY THING BETWEEN MY PASSENGERS AND THE STREET IS THE CARPET. NISSAN SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. THE CAR IS ONLY 11 YEARS OLD!
Visibility, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2016
SORRY FOR MY BELATED COMPLAINT. I JUST LEARNED OF YOUR WEBSITE. EARLY EVENING AUG 18, 2016 ENTIRE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA COMPLETELY BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FORTUNATELY -- NOBODY WAS SITTING IN BACK SEAT(S) OF MY CAR - NO ADULTS & NO CHILDREN !! WHAT A BIG MESS !! A CLEAR & NORMAL SUMMER EVENING - NO SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS TO EVEN PROVOKE A CRAZY & SUDDEN INCIDENT LIKE THIS. LUCKILY -- I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. I WAS ON A QUIET SUBURBAN ROAD WITH RELATIVELY LOW TRAFFIC. I WAS AT STOP LIGHT & SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND -- ALMOST LIKE A GUN SHOT. I CHECKED MY REAR VIEW MIRROR & MY ENTIRE CAR REAR WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT WITH VERY LARGE HOLES & TINY SHATTERED GLASS PIECES STREWN ALL OVER INSIDE BACK SEAT AREA OF MY CAR. SOME SHATTERED GLASS EVEN BLEW OUT ALL WAY TO FRONT SECTION WHERE I WAS SEATED !! I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE ROAD & PULLED OVER INTO NEARBY WALGREENS PARKING LOT & CALLED LOCAL POLICE. POLICEMAN CAME & EXAMINED MY CAR. HE DID NOT FEEL ANY FOUL PLAY WAS INVOLVED NOR ANY GUNSHOT NOR BASEBALL THROWN INTO MY REAR CAR WINDOW. I TOOK 24 PHOTOS ? SEE 5 UPLOADED. HE HELPED ME GATHER MOST OF BROKEN & SHATTERED GLASS INTO A PLASTIC BAG. WE NOTED A FEW PIECES HAD DARK BROWN BURN MARKS ON THEM. HE SAID MOST LIKELY IT INDICATED A "SHORT" OCCURRED IN REAR DEFROSTER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE COULD NOT PREPARE POLICE REPORT BCUZ IT DID NOT INVOLVE ANY FOUL PLAY. NEXT DAY I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS (NCA). THEY ASKED ME TO EMAIL MY 24 PHOTOS TO NCA & ONLY AGREED TO PAY TO REPLACE REAR CAR WINDOW. I TOLD NCA IT WAS PROBABLY A SHORT IN REAR DEFROSTER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ? A SERIOUS NISSAN SAFETY ISSUE & DEFECT. FOR ME ? A SCARY INCIDENT !! I SAVED ALL SHATTERED GLASS PIECES WITH DARK BROWN BURN MARKS, BUT NCA DID NOT WANT THEM. UNFORTUNATELY -- I CAN ONLY UPLOAD 5 PHOTOS. IF YOU WANT TO VIEW ALL 24 PHOTOS - CALL OR TEXT MY CELL [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Nov 22, 2016
MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS MAJOR RUSTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS FOUND AFTER THE CARPET ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR STARTED FALLING THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. THIS ISSUE ALMOST HAD MY WIFE'S FOOT THROUGH THE FLOOR, WITHOUT HER KNOWING. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED (VIA RESEARCH AND REPORTS ON THE NEWS) TO BOTH NISSAN AND NHTSA AND BOTH STATE IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HOW IS THIS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND YOU COULD PUT YOUR FOOT THROUGH THE FLOOR?
Engine, Nov 12, 2016
I HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000.00 IN REPAIRS DURING THE PAST MONTH. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO GEORGE HARTE NISSAN IN WEST HAVEN, CHARGED $711.00 PROBLEM NOT FIXED. CAR IS BURING OIL, HARD TO START AND THIS IS THE 2ND CATALOTOR CONVENTOR I PUT IN THE CAR.
Structure, Nov 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.