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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
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90,000 miles · Jul 31, 2012
Engine

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. REPLACED RT FRONT IN 2011. REPLACED FRONT AND RIGHT IN JUNE 2012, NOW I AM TOLD ALL 4 NEED REPLACING 6 WEEKS AFTER REPLACING TWO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468430

138,000 miles · Jul 5, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SURGED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10464296

98,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVED A CODE THAT STATED THAT THE SHAFT SENSOR WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVED A CODE THAT STATED THAT THE SHAFT SENSOR WAS OVER HEATING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A SECOND DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10462330

91,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10460527

49,500 miles · May 24, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO STARTING ATTEMPTS. SHE LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE AFTER THE RECALL REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO STARTING ATTEMPTS. SHE LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,545.

NHTSA ODI #10459591

60,000 miles · May 22, 2012
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL LOOSE ALL PRESSURE AND WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHUT OFF AND LEFT PRIOR THE PRESSURE BUILDING BACK UP IN THE CLUTCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL LOOSE ALL PRESSURE AND WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE MUST BE SHUT OFF AND LEFT PRIOR THE PRESSURE BUILDING BACK UP IN THE CLUTCH. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS OR PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A NOTORIOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R WITH MANUAL GEAR BOXES. THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND GET SOMEONE KILLED. TT

NHTSA ODI #10459313

106,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE SPEED SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HIMSELF BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459174

100,730 miles · May 18, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND MOVE IT ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TO PEP BOYS. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND MOVE IT ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TO PEP BOYS. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE FOR $486. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT#7925515 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,730.

NHTSA ODI #10458896

51,570 miles · May 17, 2012
Engine

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ONLY 51,570 MILES AND I NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I USE TOP GRADE GAS AND HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000-3500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE TENTIONER FOR THE TIMING BELT. HAVE HE GOT TO THE ITEM HE SHOWED ME WHERE THE HARD PLASTIC CLIP HAD BUSTE…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ONLY 51,570 MILES AND I NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I USE TOP GRADE GAS AND HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000-3500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE TENTIONER FOR THE TIMING BELT. HAVE HE GOT TO THE ITEM HE SHOWED ME WHERE THE HARD PLASTIC CLIP HAD BUSTED OFF AND HAD THE ALLOWED THE TIMING BELT TO BECOME SLOPPY. THANK GOD I HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WAS COVERED HOWEVER, NOW I NOTICE I AM USING EXCESSIVE OIL. I ONLY NOW HAVE 51,880 MILES AND HAD TO ADD 1 QT OIL. IN CHECKING WITH WEB SITES IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PRE-CATS CAUSING ISSUES AND NISSAN IS AWARE BUT WILL NOT DO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458871

101,770 miles · May 16, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ECM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE ECM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,770.

NHTSA ODI #10458699

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