← 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 And Engine Cooling complaints

259 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Nov 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL, THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, THE CAR WAS STILL STALLING, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING. CAR WOULD RESTART IN A FEW MINUTES BUT WOULD DIE SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REPLACED SOME CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FOR $300 AND NOW…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL, THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, THE CAR WAS STILL STALLING, BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING. CAR WOULD RESTART IN A FEW MINUTES BUT WOULD DIE SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REPLACED SOME CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FOR $300 AND NOW THE CAR WORKS GREAT, NO MORE STALLING. NISSAN SHOULD DO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364073

85,000 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THER ECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10363724

86,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86000.

NHTSA ODI #10362477

50,201 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

NISSAN ALTIMA (ENGINE: 2.5S, 2005 MODEL) HAS ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES A LACK OF POWER STEERING AND THROTTLE AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 07V527000 PERFORMED ON IT. THERE HAVE BEEN 5 RECURRENC…

Read full complaint

NISSAN ALTIMA (ENGINE: 2.5S, 2005 MODEL) HAS ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES A LACK OF POWER STEERING AND THROTTLE AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 07V527000 PERFORMED ON IT. THERE HAVE BEEN 5 RECURRENCES OF THIS ISSUE DATING BETWEEN AUGUST 9 TO PRESENT. VEHICLE WENT TO POWER NISSAN OF TEMP ON AUGUST 20 2010 WHERE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE, REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, OR FIND A ROOT CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359565

74,000 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUZZING AND RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD THE PROBLEM LASTED LONGER WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IF THE VEHICLE WAS WARM THE NOISE WAS NOT HEARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TIMING …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUZZING AND RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD THE PROBLEM LASTED LONGER WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IF THE VEHICLE WAS WARM THE NOISE WAS NOT HEARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TIMING CHAIN TENSION GUIDE WHICH WAS MADE OF PLASTIC AND FAILED IN COLD WEATHER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80000.

NHTSA ODI #10358725

150,798 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA CUTOFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND MADE IT HOME. THE FOLLOWING NIGHT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ON 25 SEPT RECEIVE EMAIL NOTIFICATION THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUE FOR THIS PROBLEM UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000. CONT…

Read full complaint

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA CUTOFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND MADE IT HOME. THE FOLLOWING NIGHT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ON 25 SEPT RECEIVE EMAIL NOTIFICATION THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUE FOR THIS PROBLEM UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000. CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO TAKE CAR IN FOR RECALL ON 28 SEPT. THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE GETTING IT IN FOR THE RECALL. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL THEY CALL TO INDICATE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED BEFORE THE RECALL COULD BE DONE. WAS CHARGED $288.00 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. HAVING PROBLEM UNDERSTANDING THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE SENSOR OVERHEATING THAT INTERRUPT SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR AND THE RESET THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AT NO COST BUT NOT REPLACE THE SENSOR WITHOUT CHARGING ME. THE SENSOR IS OVERHEATING CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHY NOT REPLACE THE SENSOR BEFORE RESETTING THE ECM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358057

99,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON A NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH A 2.5 L ENGINE. THE VEHICLE, SURGES SPUTTERS AND LOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN IT OCCURS IT RESULTS IN A FAULT CODE RELATING TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONICS BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT I WAS TOL…

Read full complaint

THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON A NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH A 2.5 L ENGINE. THE VEHICLE, SURGES SPUTTERS AND LOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN IT OCCURS IT RESULTS IN A FAULT CODE RELATING TO THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED TO REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONICS BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE OLD STYLE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN "REDESIGNED." I UNDERSTAND A SIMILAR PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH MALFUNCTION. THE CAR BUCKS, SURGES, SPUTTERS AND LOSES POWER, WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, AS IT MOST FREQUENTLY OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED. I UNDERSTAND THE SAME PROBLEM CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO BE HARD TO START, WHICH HAS ALSO OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT (YET) RECURRED. HOWEVER, THIS IS A $300 DEALER FIX. THEY WILL REPROGRAM, BUT NOT REPLACE THIS SENSORS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356523

62,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE LOCAL MECHANIC ADVISED HIM OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10352934

108,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ON MOST OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ON MOST OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ENTIRE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 216,000.

NHTSA ODI #10352323

70,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

A FEW YEARS AGO THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ECM, IT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED, I TOOK IT IN AND SUPPOSEDLY GOT THE RECALL FIXED BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING AND I WAS ALMOST IN A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I LATER LE…

Read full complaint

A FEW YEARS AGO THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ECM, IT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED, I TOOK IT IN AND SUPPOSEDLY GOT THE RECALL FIXED BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE ISSUE KEPT OCCURRING AND I WAS ALMOST IN A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE REPROGRAMMING CAUSED MY SENSORS TO GO OUT AND THAT WHEN IT WAS REPROGRAMMED THE SENSORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALSO. MOST OWNERS INCLUDING ME CANNOT NOT AFFORD THIS AND NISSAN IS NOT TAKING ON ANY RESPONSIBILITY, THEY WANT TO FIX HALF THE PROBLEM AND LEAVE ME TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE FROM THEIR MALFUNCTIONS IN THE ALTIMAS COMPUTERS. IF I TAKE MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME 80 DOLLARS TO HOOK IT UP TO THE MACHINE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF AND TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM ISN'T THEIR FAULT. ALOT NISSAN OWNERS WERE TOLD THE SAME EXACT INFORMATION THE (ECM) WOULD BE RESET FOR FREE BUT YOU WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR TO BE FIXED, IF THIS AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ARE IDENTICAL, THEN IT REALLY MEANS THAT NISSAN CORP IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM AND DOES NOT CARE THAT THEIR CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS FAILING ALONG WITH THE (ECM) AND BECAUSE OF THIS SOME LIVES ARE GONNA BE LOST, MAYBE MINE ALSO, CAUSE I CANNOT NOT AFFORD TO GET THIS FIXED AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351999

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