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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.

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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

259 reports
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92,370 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA - CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. MY 2005 PRE-OWNED NISSAN ALTIMA JUST EXPERIENCED CRANK/START PROBLEMS YESTERDAY. AFTER COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED, THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE ECM AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE 2005 NISSAN MODELS HAD A RECALL ON THE ECM MODULES AND TH…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA - CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. MY 2005 PRE-OWNED NISSAN ALTIMA JUST EXPERIENCED CRANK/START PROBLEMS YESTERDAY. AFTER COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED, THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE ECM AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE 2005 NISSAN MODELS HAD A RECALL ON THE ECM MODULES AND THE CRANKSHAFTS. THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT NISSAN TO ENSURE THIS HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY CORRECTED DURING THE ORIGINAL RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO FIND OUT THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN CORRECTED. NISSAN REP DIVYA CHEERAN ADVISED ME THAT THE ECM AND FRAME WERE ON RECALL HOWEVER THE CRANKSHAFT WAS NOT. I INFORMED HER THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALREADY INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL FOR THE CRANKSHAFT. SHE INSISTED THE DEALERSHIP WAS WRONG AND THERE WAS NO RECALL OF ANY CRANKSHAFT ON ANY NISSAN VEHICLES. I TOLD HER THAT I WAS LOOKING AT A CONSUMER AFFAIRS REPORT ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS THE REPORT/RECALL NOTICE WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. SHE STILL REFUTED THE FACT THAT THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFTS FOR THE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMAS. HOWEVER, SHE ADVISED ME TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP (SHEEHY NISSAN IN SPRINGFIELD, VA) TO HAVE THE ECM AND FRAME FIXED. SHE STATED THAT ONCE THE ECM WAS FIXED IT WOULD RESOLVE THE CRANKING AND SHUTTING OFF PROBLEMS I WAS EXPERIENCING. I ADVISED HER THAT THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALREADY CONFIRMED THAT WOULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT AND I WOULD LIKE FOR NISSAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL AND FIX THE ECM AND CRANKSHAFT. IT WAS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND RECORD THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS AND COULD BE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TO MY HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF MY NEWBORN WHO FREQUENTLY TRAVELS WITH ME. I ADVISED HER THAT $200 TO FIX THE CRANKSHAFT SHOULD BE NOTHING TO NISSAN AS OPPOSED TO ME FILING A LAWSUIT WITH THEM IF ANY HARM CAME TO ME OR MY CHILD DUE TO THIS HAZARD. CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH GETTING MY CAR FIXED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10321107

50,437 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR STALLED TWICE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW CRANK SENSOR. WHEN HE ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER INTO THE SYSTEM, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT MY CAR HAD A CURRENT RECALL THAT WAS STILL PENDING. I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS PAST AUGUST AND THE DEALERSHIP D…

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MY CAR STALLED TWICE ON SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW CRANK SENSOR. WHEN HE ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER INTO THE SYSTEM, THE MECHANIC SAID THAT MY CAR HAD A CURRENT RECALL THAT WAS STILL PENDING. I PURCHASED THE CAR THIS PAST AUGUST AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM ME OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319286

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE RECALL ONLY REQUIRED REPROGRAMMING THE ECM. THE CONSUMER STA…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE RECALL ONLY REQUIRED REPROGRAMMING THE ECM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE A FEW MONTHS LATER THE STALLING OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED UNTIL THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10318615

79,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THIS MORNING ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY CAR TO BE SMASH BY AN 18 WHEELER, AND WHEN I TURN IT BACK ON AND GAVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT MOVE. SO I TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON A FEW TIMES AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPEN A FEW OTHER TIMES BEFORE, THE FIRST TIME…

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MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THIS MORNING ALMOST CAUSING ME AND MY CAR TO BE SMASH BY AN 18 WHEELER, AND WHEN I TURN IT BACK ON AND GAVE IT GAS IT WOULD NOT MOVE. SO I TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON A FEW TIMES AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK. THIS HAS HAPPEN A FEW OTHER TIMES BEFORE, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED, I LEFT THE CAR THERE FOR 3 DAYS AND THE RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, BUT LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN, LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND A AUTO ZONE WAS NEAR, SO I GOT THE GUY TO HOOK IT UP TO HIS MACHINE TO CHECK FOR CODES AND THE PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WITH THE RECALL WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS PROBLEMATIC IN MY CAR. SO I TOOK IT TO NISSAN AGAIN AND TOLD THEM I AM HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AGAIN AND THEY TELL ME IT'S NOT THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER 800 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED AND THAT IF I DIDN'T THE ENGINE WOULD JUST EVENTUALLY DIE. THIS TIME I'M NOT GOING TO NISSAN, BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF POINTLESS, I DON'T HAVE 800 DOLLARS TO SPEND ON A PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSE BY SOMETHING THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO FIX AND DIDN'T. I DON'T A FEW SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO COME OUT OF THEIR POCKETS. I'M JUST WONDERING TO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR THEM TO RECALL THE CAR FOR THE ACTUAL PROBLEM? OR MAYBE PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND THE ACCIDENT WAS BLAMED ON SOMETHING ELSE. THE RECALL THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX MY PROBLEM IS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318833

120,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS FINALLY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT IS THE CATALYST CONVERTER, THE PART ALONE COST AROUND 600.00, CAR IS A 2005 ALTIMA 2.5 WITH 120,000.00 MILES, WELL MAINTAINED. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THI…

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THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS FINALLY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT IS THE CATALYST CONVERTER, THE PART ALONE COST AROUND 600.00, CAR IS A 2005 ALTIMA 2.5 WITH 120,000.00 MILES, WELL MAINTAINED. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I JUST SPENT OVER 300.00 TO REPAIR THE CRANKSHAFT AS MY VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND NOT START ALL THE TIME. ON TOP OF IT ALL I WAS ALSO JUST TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE INNER TIE ROD - ANOTHER 300.00 - THIS CAR IS TURNING OUT TO BE A PILE OF JUNK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314255

64,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON THE 2005 NISSAN ULTIMA 2.5 LITER ENGINES THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR FAILS PREMATURELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLS OUT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MPH PLACING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN GRAVE DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. THIS WAS EX…

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ON THE 2005 NISSAN ULTIMA 2.5 LITER ENGINES THE CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR FAILS PREMATURELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLS OUT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MPH PLACING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN GRAVE DANGER OF A REAR END COLLISION WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OR INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY ON INTERSTATE 65 WITH A HUGE POPULATION OF TRACTOR TRAILERS MOVING NORTH AND SOUTH ON I65. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGED THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I CHALLENGE YOU TO CONDUCT A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FIND NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. MANY CONSUMERS HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN BUT IT APPEARS THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD ASK YOU ASTHE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY TO FORCE NISSAN TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL. ITS UNFORTUNATE NISSAN IS PLAYING THE SAME GAME AS TOYOTA AND SOMEONE MUST ACT ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE NOW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313777

89,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE SOON SIGN. I USED FOR 4 1/2 YEARS AND THE WARRANTY IS FOR 8 YEARS. I WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313010

74,000 miles · Feb 21, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE CAR DIED. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON IN THE PAST AND AFTER HAVING THE COMPUTER CLEARED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT CAR DIED ON M…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE CAR DIED. I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON IN THE PAST AND AFTER HAVING THE COMPUTER CLEARED THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT CAR DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE BEFORE THE RPMS DROP BELOW 1000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312470

74,000 miles · Feb 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE GOING ACROSS A BRIDGE. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR REGARDING REPROGRAMMING THE ECM IN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, I HAD TO GET MY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM …

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, MY CAR CUT OFF WHILE GOING ACROSS A BRIDGE. LUCKILY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR REGARDING REPROGRAMMING THE ECM IN THE ENGINE. HOWEVER, I HAD TO GET MY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH ALTIMAS AND THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT, NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312329

56,169 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR.THE SENSOR WAS RECALLED ON DECEMBER 2007. THE CRAFT SENSOR OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION AND MADE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IT HAPPENED ON FEB 5TH IN BOSTON, DID 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 12 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307735

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.

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