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, Feb 8, 2016
MULTIPLE OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT A RUSTING FLOORBOARD. THIS IS A NISSAN DEFECT. I LEARNED TODAY FROM THE MECHANIC WHO DID THE CARS OIL CHANGE THAT I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY NISSAN WITH BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER FLOORBOARDS RUSTED AND HAVE HOLE IN THEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS IN A 10 YEAR OLD MODERN CAR. JUST CAME FROM AN OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC HAPPENED TO SEE IT. ANY HELP FROM YOU WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THE REPAIR RUNS INTO THE THOUSANDS WITH THE CAR NOT EVEN WORTH THAT MUCH ANY MORE.
Engine, Feb 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PULLING OVER THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2016
SUNROOF BLEW AWAY WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. ALREADY SUBJECT TO VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL: HOLLAND 700 AND HOLLANDIA 900. WE DID NOT HAVE THE INFO. WEBASTO IS UNHELPFUL IN GETTING CAR REPAIRED.
Structure, Jan 31, 2016
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORS ARE SERIOUSLY RUSTED WITH HOLES. I FOUND THE CONDITION WHEN I NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDER THE CAR. IT WAS SOME SORT OF PLASTIC MATERIAL THAT LINED THE METAL FLOOR INSIDE THE CAR.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 28, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, CHEST, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ UPDATED 04/28/16. *JB
Power train, Engine, Jan 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. I BOUGHT MY CAR EXACTLY 11 MONTHS AGO ON FEBRUARY 2015. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR THAT IT JERKED WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALESMAN CONVINCED ME IT IS NOTHING. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACING. I THEN FOUND A NISSAN THREAD ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND AUTOMATICALLY WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT MY CAR IS DOING 90% OF THE ISSUES LISTED. IT NOW JERKS WHEN I PUT IN DRIVE, REVERSE, WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP, WHEN I PUSH THE BREAK, AND WHEN I EXCEED MORE THEN 60 MPH IT JERKS. AFTER READING TONS OF THREADS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONGST THE NISSAN ALTIMA 05S. I AM SCARED MY TRANSMISSION WILL GO OUT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTHING BUT NOW IT DEFINITELY SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE THAT NISSAN JUDGED PUSHED UNDER THE RUG AND KEPT TELLING ME WAS NOTHING.
Structure, Jan 15, 2016
AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS ALTIMA, WE WERE ALARMED WHEN OUR SON SAID HE COULD SEE THE CARPETING HANGING THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. WE CONTACTED OUR NISSAN DEALER WHO SAID THE REPAIRS WOULDN'T BE COVERED AND TO PURSUE IT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE. WE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS (SAFETY CONCERNS) AND FORMALLY REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. I RECEIVED A CALL AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DECLINED DUE TO VEHICLE'S AGE AND DUE TO THE FACT WE'RE IN THE "NORTH-EAST SALT STATES". I ASKED WHY 2005 HONDA'S, CHEVY'S AND BUICK'S FROM THE SAME LOCALE AREN'T EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE?? WHEN I ASKED FOR A DETAILED DENIAL OF MY CLAIM (ONE CITING THE REASONS I WAS BEING GIVEN VERBALLY) I WAS TOLD ABSOLUTELY NOT AND THAT NISSAN WOULD ONLY SUPPLY A "GENERAL" LETTER OF DENIAL. SERIOUSLY?? DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN UNETHICAL PRACTICE? ALL OF THESE SIMILAR STORIES AND YET NISSAN HASN'T BEEN CALLED ONTO THE CARPET?
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2016
THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE PASSENGER'S FEET ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. I WAS DOING MY RESERACH AND FROM ALL THE REPORTS, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE NISSAN OR NHTSA IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD THRU THE HUGE HOLES.
Engine, Jan 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, Dec 23, 2015
"TAKATA AIR BAG" - NISSAN'S VIN SERVER HAS BEEN "DOWN" FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, AND DO NOT ANSWER THEIR PHONE TO CHECK IF OUR VEHICLE IS EFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. ALSO, THIS SITES NHTSA VIN SEARCH ALSO CRASHES WHEN SEARCHING FOR NISSAN VIN NUMBERS. NISSAN SHOULD BE ANSWERING THEIR PHONE, AND FIX THEIR WEBSITE SO VIN CAN BE RESEARCHED ON THIS SERIOUS - LIFE THREATENING ISSUE!
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2015
DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THERE IS A DRAINAGE ISSUE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2015
MY 2005 NISSIAN ALTIMA HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES WITH THE SHIFTER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SWITCH GEAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES JUST FOR THE CAR TO GO INTO GEAR AND WHEN DOING SO JERKS EXTREMELY HARD...I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY ISSUES WITH IT NOT WANTING TO START AND I WILL HAVE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL THEN FORCE BACK INTO PARK MANY TIMES BEFORE MY CAR WILL START...THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND KEPT VERY CLEAN...WHILE HAVING CAR INSPECTED I WAS INFORMED OF THE FLOOR BOARDS ROTTING OUT...I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT NISSAN AND DISCUSS THESE ISSUES...I HAVE HAD 000 RESULTS IN BEING ABLE TO DO SO...THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS...IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN OF THESE ISSUES I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE...AND WITH THE TREATMENT FROM NISSAN...WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANY VEHICLE FROM THEM AGAIN
Structure, Dec 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,998. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility, Dec 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PIECE OF METAL HANGING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TOTALLY RUSTED AND THERE WAS A HOLE UNDER THE CARPET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
Structure, Dec 7, 2015
UNDERCARRIAGE (FLOOR BOARDS) ON PASSENGER & DRIVER SIDE RUSTED. HOLES WITH FLOORING CARPET SHOWING THROUGH.
Structure, Dec 6, 2015
THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE PASSENGER'S FEET ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. FROM ALL THE REPORTS, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE NISSAN OR NHTSA IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD THRU THE HUGE HOLES. WHEN A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND SPENT SOME OF THAT TIME DOWN SOUTH, AWAY FROM ANY POSSIBILITY OF SALT ON THE ROADS HAS RUSTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS, THIS IS NOT 'NORMAL' CORROSION.
Structure, Dec 6, 2015
THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE PASSENGER'S FEET ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH. FROM ALL THE REPORTS, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE NISSAN OR NHTSA IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD THRU THE HUGE HOLES. WHEN A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND SPENT SOME OF THAT TIME DOWN SOUTH, AWAY FROM ANY POSSIBILITY OF SALT ON THE ROADS HAS RUSTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS, THIS IS NOT 'NORMAL' CORROSION.
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2015
TAKATA RECALL. VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WHEN DEALER IS NOTIFIED, DEALER REFUSES THAT THERE WAS A PAST RECALL ON THIS PART FOR THE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 ENGINE. DEALER WILL NOT HELP. THIS VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF WHILE IN MOTION AS WELL AS STATIONARY . THIS VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT START UP. LOCAL MECHANIC IS QUOTED SAYING " VEHICLE'S ENGINE PARTS ARE THE EXACT ENGINE PARTS FROM WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE. THE PARTS WERE NEVER REPLACED.".
Structure, Nov 30, 2015
UNDERCARRIAGE RUST I AM SEEING EVERYONE WITH 2002-2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THIS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL
Structure, Nov 17, 2015
UNDERCARRIAGE OF DRIVER SIDE IS SEVERELY RUSTED. HOLE IN DRIVER'S SEAT FLOOR.
Engine, Nov 16, 2015
THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER IS FAILING/HAS FAILED, THERE IS AN ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE THAT CAUSES THE 3.5L V6 TO SOUND LIKE A DIESEL, AS OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED. IT COMES DIRECTLY FROM THE LOCATION OF THE TIMING CHAIN. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS OR HOURS AND HOURS IT REQUIRES TO REPLACE THE TENSIONER JUST YET. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR AT LEAST 15,000 MILES. IF THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPS BECAUSE THE TENSIONER WAS NOT A QUALITY PART AND BROKE, THE ENGINE WILL LOCK UP, AS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS, AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A WRECK IF OTHER CARS ARE AROUND. NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO INVESTIGATE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS ALL I ASK. I WANTED TO REPORT THAT I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE AS OTHERS OF THE SAME KIND DO, SO IT CAN GET FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING DANGEROUS HAPPENS TO ME OR MY WIFE.
Structure, Nov 4, 2015
THE FRONT SEAT FLOOR RUSTED OUT.
Structure, Nov 4, 2015
MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS HOLES IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD DUE TO EXTREME RUST.
Structure, Oct 27, 2015
DUE TO A KNOWN ENGINEERING FLAW, WATER GETS CAUGHT UNDER THE FLOOR BOARDS AND ROTS/RUSTS OUT THE FLOORING. MY FEET ARE ABOUT TO FALL THROUGH THE FLOOR OF CAR. PASSENGER SIDE IS WORSE. THE DEALER/NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STILL WILL NOT COVER IT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THERE IS A HOLE IN EACH FLOORBOARD THAT WAS PUT THERE INTENTIONALLY. SINCE THERE IS NOTHING STRUCTURAL TO FILL IT WATER CAN GET IN WHEN THE UNDERCOATING DEVELOPS CRACKS. ONCE WATER GETS IN, IT JUST LAYS UNDER THE ASPHALT INSULATION AND BETWEEN THE SHEET METAL AND ROTS FROM INSIDE OUT. I HAD A WARRANTY ON IT AND THE DEALERS I HAVE TAKEN IT TO, MANY TIMES FOR MANY JOBS AND MAINTENANCE, ETC. NEVER ONCE MENTIONED IT. I JUST RECENTLY WAS MADE AWARE OF IT AND NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP. THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS MADE TO.