← 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

Power Train complaints

115 reports
Clear category filter
99,992 miles · May 18, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR SHUDDERED AND RPM DROPPED AND THEN CAME BACK UP TO CURRENT RPM LEVEL. CAME TO STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT INTO LIMP MODE. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND RPM'S WOULD NOT GO OVER 2000. PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. RESTARTED CAR AND BEGAN TO TRY AND DRIVE IT AGAIN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SH…

Read full complaint

CAR SHUDDERED AND RPM DROPPED AND THEN CAME BACK UP TO CURRENT RPM LEVEL. CAME TO STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE WAS THEN PUT INTO LIMP MODE. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND RPM'S WOULD NOT GO OVER 2000. PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. RESTARTED CAR AND BEGAN TO TRY AND DRIVE IT AGAIN. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. TRIED TO MANUALLY SHIFT THE AUTOMATIC TRANS AND IT WOULD HIT HARD UPON GEAR SHIFTS BUT WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME THE REMAINING FEW MILES.. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO A MECHANICS SHOP THE NEXT MORNING AND THE CODES INDICATE CAM POSITION SENSOR FAILURES. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND A RECALL FOR THIS UNDER R2022 BUT OF COURSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS IT IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I AM WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY RESOLVED AT MY EXPENSE. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ODI #10717030

93,567 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Power Train

THE CLUTCH WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. IT WILL HAPPEN WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. THEN IT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START IT OR IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. NO WARNING SIGNS. IT JUST HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706127

75,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Power TrainCrash

I WAS BACKING INTO A SPACE IN A GARAGE AND THE CAR JUST SPEED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHERE THE CAR SEEMED TO GO ON ITS OWN. LAST YEAR IT WENT FORWARD AND I COULD NOT STOP IT RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED IN THE SAME GARAGE. LUCKILY IT FINALLY STOPPED AND…

Read full complaint

I WAS BACKING INTO A SPACE IN A GARAGE AND THE CAR JUST SPEED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHERE THE CAR SEEMED TO GO ON ITS OWN. LAST YEAR IT WENT FORWARD AND I COULD NOT STOP IT RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED IN THE SAME GARAGE. LUCKILY IT FINALLY STOPPED AND I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705309

49,875 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

1. PRECAT FAILURE WHICH LED TO NEEDING OF A COMPLETE LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT. @ 49875 MILES 2. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAUSED PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF MANUAL TRANSMISSION.@ 94571 MILES 3. PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED THRU!!!! @ 100000 MILES, THIS CUTS THE CAKE! CAR IS JUNK!

NHTSA ODI #10706729

111,503 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Power Train

WENT TO GO START THE CAR, PUSHED IN CLUTCH AS NORMAL, STARTED FINE, BUT WHEN I WENT TO GO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, IT WOULDN'T GO. I LIFTED THE CLUTCH AND IT WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR. I HAD TO MANUALLY LIFT IT UP WITH MY HAND. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN IT WAS FINE. THEN WHEN I AM DRIVING IT DOES NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY IT DROPS ABOUT 2 IN…

Read full complaint

WENT TO GO START THE CAR, PUSHED IN CLUTCH AS NORMAL, STARTED FINE, BUT WHEN I WENT TO GO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, IT WOULDN'T GO. I LIFTED THE CLUTCH AND IT WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR. I HAD TO MANUALLY LIFT IT UP WITH MY HAND. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN IT WAS FINE. THEN WHEN I AM DRIVING IT DOES NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY IT DROPS ABOUT 2 INCHES AND STAYS WHICH GRINDS THE CLUTCH AND CAUSES PREMATURE WEAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702293

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR STARTS AND STALLS/ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD IT IS THE CRANK AND CAM SENSOR AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SPEED SENSOR. WE NOTICED THIS IS A BIG ISSUE AND MANY CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT ALL, INCLUDING OURS. IF THIS IS SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE WHY ARE ONLY SOME BEING REPAIRED BY DEALER. IS THERE ANYTHING WE …

Read full complaint

CAR STARTS AND STALLS/ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS TOLD IT IS THE CRANK AND CAM SENSOR AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SPEED SENSOR. WE NOTICED THIS IS A BIG ISSUE AND MANY CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT NOT ALL, INCLUDING OURS. IF THIS IS SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE WHY ARE ONLY SOME BEING REPAIRED BY DEALER. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET THE DEALER TO REPAIR IT. THIS IS MY FATHER'S CAR BUT IT IS MY INFORMATION BELOW. HE DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR UPDATED 4/13/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10681982

134,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT APPEARS TO HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES THAT ARE KNOWN TO NISSAN. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT INITIAL START UP. ALSO HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES FROM 3RD TO 4TH. THE SHIFTING FROM 3/4 IS WHEN VEHICLE IS AT OPERATING TEMPS. THERE IS A VERY…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT APPEARS TO HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES THAT ARE KNOWN TO NISSAN. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT INITIAL START UP. ALSO HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES FROM 3RD TO 4TH. THE SHIFTING FROM 3/4 IS WHEN VEHICLE IS AT OPERATING TEMPS. THERE IS A VERY HARD SHIFT AND DELAY IN SHIFT. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS, AND ALL CLAIM NOT TO HAVE ANY RECALLS OR BULLETINS, OR DENY HEARING OF ANY SHIFTING ISSUES. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. GOING INTO 4TH FROM 3RD, VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A DELAY AND STALLS, UNIT REVS, AND FINALLY KICKS INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676807

100 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY 2005 ALTIMA 2.5 S DECEMBER 2004 AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM FOR A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FRONT THE ENGINE AREA AND A FEELING UNDER MY FEET LIKE SOMEONE WAS UNDER MY CAR STRIKING IT WITH A HAMMER, THIS OCCURS AT TAKE OFF, SHIFTING GEARS AND COMING TO A STOP (…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY 2005 ALTIMA 2.5 S DECEMBER 2004 AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS I HAD TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM FOR A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FRONT THE ENGINE AREA AND A FEELING UNDER MY FEET LIKE SOMEONE WAS UNDER MY CAR STRIKING IT WITH A HAMMER, THIS OCCURS AT TAKE OFF, SHIFTING GEARS AND COMING TO A STOP (STILL DOWN SHIFTING), I ALSO FELT AS IF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY ROUGH FOR A NEW CAR, IT JUST REALLY ALWAYS FELT LIKE MY MOTOR WAS ABOUT TO DROP ON THE GROUND. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR CAME OUT TO ME AND SAID THAT THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO REPEAT IT SO IT SHOULD BE FINE. AS I DROVE AWAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I WAS HEATED AND CALLED THE DEALER WHEN I GOT HOME, THEY MADE ME ANOTHER APPT. AND THIS REPEATED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, NEVER BEING REPAIRED. NOW AFTER HITTING 100K MY CAR IS GREAT EXCEPT FOR THIS DARN CLUNKING, SO I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE, ENGINE MOUNTS BROKEN, MAINLY PASSENGER SIDE. SO I ORDERED PARTS AND HAD THEM ALL REPLACED AND SURE ENOUGH, I AM AMAZED I DIDN'T LOOSE MY MOTOR THE PASSENGER ONE WAS ALMOST LIKE NOTHING WAS THERE, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A PART THAT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR A REALLY LONG TIME. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND KNOWN ISSUES, WHY HAS THIS NOT BECOME A RECALL? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10662086

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2014
Power Train

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BOUGHT USED DIDN'T EVEN HAVE IT FOR SIX MONTHS TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHEN EVER IT IS DRIVEN FOR 15 OR SO MINUTES IT WONT SHIFT GEARS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED INTO ME FROM BEHIND. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODE…

Read full complaint

MY 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA BOUGHT USED DIDN'T EVEN HAVE IT FOR SIX MONTHS TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHEN EVER IT IS DRIVEN FOR 15 OR SO MINUTES IT WONT SHIFT GEARS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE SLAMMED INTO ME FROM BEHIND. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632778

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRYING TO LEAVE FOR WORK ONE MORNING AND MY CAR STOPS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN IT ON, AND IT DOES BUT AS I START SPEEDING UP IT TURNS OFF AGAIN (AT THE INTERSECTION) AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON. IT ALMOST CAUSED THE CAR BEHIND ME TO REAR END ME BUT HE SWERVED TO AVOID AN ACCIDE…

Read full complaint

TRYING TO LEAVE FOR WORK ONE MORNING AND MY CAR STOPS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN IT ON, AND IT DOES BUT AS I START SPEEDING UP IT TURNS OFF AGAIN (AT THE INTERSECTION) AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON. IT ALMOST CAUSED THE CAR BEHIND ME TO REAR END ME BUT HE SWERVED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND OUT IT WAS A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT FROM THE MECHANIC AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL. L CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY CAR (DIFFERENT YEAR), INSTEAD THEY SAID THEY COULD CHANGE THE PART FOR $350 WITH LABOR. SO I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED SOMEONE OR VISE VERSA AND IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT? I'M AM SO UPSET ABOUT HOW THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT FOR MAKING PARTS THAT DON'T WORK AND AT THE END THEY AREN'T LIABLE...UPDATED 09-24-14 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621091

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