← New search

2005 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

908 reports with mileage · 183 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 351 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 259 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 141 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports18 fire reports44 injury reports

Engine complaints

141 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2026
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

While driving my 2005 Nissan Altima in active traffic with my [XXX] child, the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. The engine completely shut off while in motion, creating an immediately safety hazard in live traffic conditions. Immediately after the stall, I observed oil leakage and smoke entering the cabin. The veh…

Read full complaint

While driving my 2005 Nissan Altima in active traffic with my [XXX] child, the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. The engine completely shut off while in motion, creating an immediately safety hazard in live traffic conditions. Immediately after the stall, I observed oil leakage and smoke entering the cabin. The vehicle became inoperable and we were stranded roadside. This failure is consistent with a known defect involving the crankshaft position sensor and engine control system addressed in NHTSA Campaign 07V-527, which describes sudden engine stall without warning due to sensor signal interruption. Although my vehicle previously received recall-related service, this incident suggests the prior remedy did not prevent recurrence of the defect. Sudden engine shutdown while driving in traffic Loss of vehicle power without warning Smoke entering passenger cabin Risk of crash involving child passenger Request: I am requesting that NHTSA: Review this incident for potential recall remedy failure Investigate whether this represents recurrence of a known defect Determine whether additional corrective action is needed for this vehicle population INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11734402

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2026
EngineUnknown Or Other

Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Altima | VIN: [XXX] To the Executive Team and Legal Counsel, I am writing this under extreme duress following a catastrophic, life-threatening vehicle failure on April 23, 2026, in Ripley, WV. While transporting my [XXX] son, my 2005 Nissan Altima suffered a sudden engine stall, followed by the engine ba…

Read full complaint

Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Altima | VIN: [XXX] To the Executive Team and Legal Counsel, I am writing this under extreme duress following a catastrophic, life-threatening vehicle failure on April 23, 2026, in Ripley, WV. While transporting my [XXX] son, my 2005 Nissan Altima suffered a sudden engine stall, followed by the engine bay becoming saturated with oil and emitting heavy smoke. This event is the direct result of Nissan’s failure to remediate known federal safety defects, specifically NHTSA Recall 07V527000 (Crankshaft Sensor/Stalling) and NHTSA Recall 06V223000 (Oil Consumption/Fire Risk). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11734008

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2022
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash

Car engine cuts off. After that I have no power steering, no acceleration, brakes need to be pumped. The first years of me owning the car I had the sensors replaced by auto shop and dealership under extended car warranty. Pretty much been replacing the sensors ever since for the past 8 years. I believe I replaced over 10 sensors…

Read full complaint

Car engine cuts off. After that I have no power steering, no acceleration, brakes need to be pumped. The first years of me owning the car I had the sensors replaced by auto shop and dealership under extended car warranty. Pretty much been replacing the sensors ever since for the past 8 years. I believe I replaced over 10 sensors of the time I owned my Nissan. I can be on the hallway, streets anywhere with out any warnings my car engine will stop. It has to do with turning back on the car while it's warm. That's when I seen the problem the most.

NHTSA ODI #11481540

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2022
Engine

The engine has a hole in it and I bought the car without knowing the engine had a whole in it and I asked the dealer Mark Brown where there any major damages he said no. Also my car smoked while I was driving and I could have majorly endangered my life without knowing.

NHTSA ODI #11476164

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2022
EngineExterior Lighting

Open Safety Recall Check October 25, 2007 07e087000 Exterior Lighting:headlights 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…

Read full complaint

Open Safety Recall Check October 25, 2007 07e087000 Exterior Lighting:headlights 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, Re

NHTSA ODI #11462553

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2021
Engine

The engine began to stall out randomly when driving down the road. After two times the engine light came on it stated that the crankshaft sensor was off. Since then, the engine light turned off bu, the problem still persists. When driving at low speeds through a city area, will cut off randomly. I have contacted Nissan regarding…

Read full complaint

The engine began to stall out randomly when driving down the road. After two times the engine light came on it stated that the crankshaft sensor was off. Since then, the engine light turned off bu, the problem still persists. When driving at low speeds through a city area, will cut off randomly. I have contacted Nissan regarding their recall about this exact problem of the crankshaft causing the engine to cut off but was simply told that my VIN number does not qualify under the recall even though it is exactly what the recall is for. Was also told that even if I were to get it inspected and checked for the problem that I would not be covered under the recall because they considered it "wear and tear." the car is only at 110000 miles and has this extremely dangerous problem, but Nissan refuses to help fix their mistake.

NHTSA ODI #11444047

111,111 miles · Jan 28, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrash

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THIS ENGINE? THIS CAR HAS LESS THAT 120K MILES. IT SEEMS I GET A LOT OF INTERFERENCE WHEN I'M DRIVING IT. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY FORCE SPEED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY PHONE IS PLUGGED IN IT SEEMS TO MISFIRE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. H2O SENSORS COME ON, CACHE FILES ABOUT THE FUEL S…

Read full complaint

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THIS ENGINE? THIS CAR HAS LESS THAT 120K MILES. IT SEEMS I GET A LOT OF INTERFERENCE WHEN I'M DRIVING IT. THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY FORCE SPEED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN MY PHONE IS PLUGGED IN IT SEEMS TO MISFIRE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. H2O SENSORS COME ON, CACHE FILES ABOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM LANDS ON MY PHONE. SAMSUNG HAS SUBMITTED TESTS ON MY SPEN THAT ARE AFFECTING MY SAFETY. FCC ID A3LEJPN970 FCC ID A3LSMN970U. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CAR ACCIDENTS SINCE BUYING SAMSUNG PHONES. THE CARS WILL INCREASE SPEED AS IF I AM READY TO RUN INTO A BRICK WALL. THIS CAR DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF MILEAGE BUT SOMETHING IS GOING ON WITH THE TIMING AND ENGINE. I CAN BE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, IT IS CONSTANTLY AFFECTING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11390575

200,000 miles · Dec 24, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BELT BECAUSE THE BELT FROM COMING OFF YOU CHANGE THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THEN IT WOULD RUN FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN IT STARTED TO STOP AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH FUEL TO THE GAS PEDAL AND I'D HAVE TO REV IT UP. WE OPENED IT UP WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ON THE VALVE COVERS AND IT WAS HALFWAY FULL O…

Read full complaint

AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BELT BECAUSE THE BELT FROM COMING OFF YOU CHANGE THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THEN IT WOULD RUN FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN IT STARTED TO STOP AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH FUEL TO THE GAS PEDAL AND I'D HAVE TO REV IT UP. WE OPENED IT UP WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ON THE VALVE COVERS AND IT WAS HALFWAY FULL OF OIL WE GOT ALL THE OIL OUT WHEN WE ORDERED A NEW VALVE COVER AND SPARK PLUGS THE CAR RUN FINE FOR ONE DAY NOW IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE FAN TURNS ON LIKE IT IS RUNNING BUT THERE IS NO POWER TO THE CAR AT ALL. I READ THAT AFTER THE OIL GETS INTO THE VALVE COVERS THERE'S REALLY NO FIXING IT AFTER THAT. AND EVERY TIME THAT WE FIX IT ONLY LAST FOR ONE DAY AND SO IT'S VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER TO BE DRIVING AROUND IN THAT UNRELIABLE CAR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11384833

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CRANK SHAFT. IT RUNS ROUGH IT STALLS AND THE GAS MILEAGE IS VERY OFF

NHTSA ODI #11373566

15,300 miles · Sep 24, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

BROUGHT THE CAR AUGV18TH WARRANTY ENDED SEP 18TH.INTHAT TIME CAR WAS TAKEN BACK FOR ENGINE RELATED ISSUES ALSO NO HEAT WAS .THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TWICE FOR REPAIRS.THEN YESTERDAY CAR STOPPED RUNNING COMPLETLY ON SEPT 23RD.THEY SAID THE REPAIRED THE CAR AND GAVE IT BACK TO ME ON SEPT 19TH

NHTSA ODI #11360941

Official recalls

1

07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems