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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

Power Train complaints

115 reports
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55,000 miles · Sep 11, 2009
Power Train

NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 3.5 V6 CLUTCH PEDAL THAT SINKS TO THE FLOOR WHILE BEING DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283628

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2009
Power Train

CLUTCH PEDAL WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING THAT I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HAD CARS BEHIND ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282605

36,100 miles · Sep 2, 2009
Power Train

CAR: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 3.5L V6. PROBLEM: CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR DURING NORMAL USE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESULTS. I HAVE REPORTED THAT INCIDENT TO NHTSA SEPARATELY. I HAD BEEN USING MY CAR FOR A 1…

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CAR: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION 3.5L V6. PROBLEM: CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR DURING NORMAL USE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD THE FIRST INCIDENT INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESULTS. I HAVE REPORTED THAT INCIDENT TO NHTSA SEPARATELY. I HAD BEEN USING MY CAR FOR A 1500 MILE FAMILY TRIP. I WAS NEARLY HALFWAY THROUGH MY 12 HOUR ONE DAY RETURN TRIP. I GOT HUNG UP IN STOPPED TRAFFIC IN NY FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR FIFTEEN MINUTES. WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO A REST STOP AND HAD DINNER FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I RETURNED TO THE CAR, SPENT ANOTHER FIVE MINUTES IN TRAFFIC AND WAS MOVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AGAIN. THE CAR WAS LOADED WITH 2 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN AND ABOUT 125 POUNDS OF VACATION STUFF. UPON APPROACHING A TOLL BOOTH ON THE NY "EXPRESSWAY" I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH TO BEGIN DOWNSHIFTING AND DECELERATING FROM ROUGHLY 60 MPH. THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. SINCE THIS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE I WAS NOT CAUGHT COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND BEGAN PUMPING THE CLUTCH AS THE CAR COASTED IN TOWARDS THE TOLL BOOTH. I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT DID HAVE SOME SMALL DEGREE OF RETURN, BUT IT DID NOT REACH THE HEIGHT OF THE TYPICAL PICKUP POINT WHICH I ESTIMATE TO BE 6-8 INCHES OFF THE FLOORBOARD. PUMPING THE PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. I PLACED MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND LIFTED IT ALL THE WAY UP. PRESSING AGAIN HAD THE SAME RESULT. VERY LITTLE FRICTION. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TOLL WAS DEAD STOPPED TRAFFIC. THERE WAS ENOUGH FRICTION IN THE PEDAL TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH PLATES AND TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. THE TRAFFIC SPEED INCREASED AND AFTER A FEW HUNDRED YARDS THE CLUTCH RECUPERATED ON ITS OWN. I ALWAYS DOUBLE DECLUTCH AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CLUTCH PLATES IN MY CARS. SEE THIS LINK FOR MANY SIMILAR CONSUMER STORIES:HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2005-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-SE-R-DISCUSSION/229124-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-CLUTCH-PROBLEM.HTM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282604

32,960 miles · Sep 1, 2009
Power Train

CAR: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R W/ 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 3.5L V6. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY CLUTCH PEDAL BOTTOMS OUT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER IN THE NISSAN FORUM. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY A FEW PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED TO NHTSA. I USED MY CAR ON A SUNDAY MORNING FOR A SHORT RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE …

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CAR: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R W/ 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 3.5L V6. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY CLUTCH PEDAL BOTTOMS OUT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER IN THE NISSAN FORUM. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY A FEW PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED TO NHTSA. I USED MY CAR ON A SUNDAY MORNING FOR A SHORT RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE (APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES ROUND TRIP). I LEFT THE CAR IN THE DIRECT SUNLIGHT ON MY BLACKTOP DRIVEWAY ALL DAY (ABOUT 85 DEGREE F). IN THE LATE AFTERNOON I STARTED MY CAR TO PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. BEFORE I TURNED THE IGNITION I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO PICKUP POINT. THE PEDAL WAS EASILY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE TYPICAL RESISTANCE IN THE PEDAL THROW WAS NONEXISTENT. THE CAR WAS ALREADY IN GEAR AND WHEN I LET THE CLUTCH OUT THERE WAS BARELY ENOUGH RESISTANCE TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH PLATES AND PULL THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE. THE PICKUP POINT WAS JUST A COUPLE OF INCHES OFF THE FLOORBOARD, WHEREAS THE USUAL PICKUP POINT IS ANYWHERE FROM 6-8 INCHES. I LEFT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON MONDAY. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR ON TUESDAY TO BRING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS NO ISSUE AT ALL. I PAID MY $46.50 TO GET THIS ON RECORD WITH THE DEALER. THEY OF COURSE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ERROR (AS WITH NEARLY EVERY OTHER PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM) AND SAW NO CLEAR DEFECTS UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE THE COMPLETE PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP IF THE NHTSA ODI INVESTIGATOR WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FOR A HISTORY OF THE MANY INCIDENTS PLEASE SEE THIS PAGE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2005-2006-NISSAN-ALTIMA-SE-R-DISCUSSION/229124-CLASS-ACTION-LAWSUIT-CLUTCH-PROBLEM.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282603

29,000 miles · Jul 31, 2009
Power TrainCrash

THE MOTORIST AND LAWFUL OWNER OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 (29K MILES) WAS DRIVING ON CLOUDY BUT DRY JULY 21 '09, AT 9:50AM, 4.5 MILES FROM HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK. MOTORIST PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO THE STUDENT CENTER, AND DROVE AROUND LOOKING FOR SUITABLE PARKING SPOT. AFTER ONE LAP AT CREEPING…

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THE MOTORIST AND LAWFUL OWNER OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 (29K MILES) WAS DRIVING ON CLOUDY BUT DRY JULY 21 '09, AT 9:50AM, 4.5 MILES FROM HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK. MOTORIST PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO THE STUDENT CENTER, AND DROVE AROUND LOOKING FOR SUITABLE PARKING SPOT. AFTER ONE LAP AT CREEPING SPEED OF 5 MPH, MOTORIST FOUND AN UNOCCUPIED PARKING SPOT FACING THE WOODS. MOTORIST PULLED INTO AVAILABLE PARKING SPOT, NOSE FIRST, AND SLOWED DOWN. WHEN AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STILL STAND, MOTORIST THEN INTENDED TO SHIFT THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE 'D' INTO THE 'P' POSITION, GOING THROUGH 'N, R'. WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BREAK PEDAL, MOTORIST SHIFTED GEARSHIFT FORWARDS, WHEN THE GEARSHIFT SUDDENLY GOT STUCK IN THE 'N' POSITION. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE, HOWEVER, UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED LOUDLY. THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY FORWARDS, RUNNING OVER A 4-FOOT LONG, 8-INCH TALL CONCRETE STOPPER BLOCK, THEN GOING OVER THE 6-INCH HIGH SIDEWALK, AND INEVITABLY MOVING INTO THE WOODS, WHERE VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE HALT, WITH GEARSHIFT STILL BEING IN 'N' POSITION. SHAKEN BY THIS STARTLING EXPERIENCE AND BY DRIVER'S AIRBAG, MOTORIST INSTANTANEOUSLY TURNED CAR'S ENGINE OFF BY TURNING THE IGNITION KEYS COUNTERCLOCKWISE. THE TRAUMATIZED AND BRUISED MOTORIST NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM STEERING WHEEL, THUS DECIDED TO STEP OUT OF VEHICLE. AT 1ST GLANCE, THE COLLISION DAMAGED RIGHT FENDER, BOTTOM METAL FRAME, HOOD, RIGHT HEADLIGHT AS WELL AS BUMPER. WITNESSES ASSISTED MOTORIST IN ARRANGING TOW-TRUCK TO PICK-UP INCAPACITATED VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT LIES IN MECHANICAL FAILURE: A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AN UNDEPENDABLE TRANSMISSION. LUCKILY, NO PEDESTRIANS WERE IN THE WAY OF THE UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE. A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT, AND A REPLACEMENT OF ALL FAULTY PARTS OR VEHICLE, IS HIGHLY ADVISABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278846

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2009
Power Train

MY CLUTCH PEDAL GETS STUCK TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275414

45,000 miles · Jun 19, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. SUDDENLY, THE TRANSMISSION BRAKE ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. SUDDENLY, THE TRANSMISSION BRAKE ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS AND HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10274363

76,717 miles · Mar 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MAKING A BUZZING/WHINING NOISE AT THE ENGINE AREA. THIS WHOLE PROCESS STARTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 WHEN THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE AMOUNT OF $1,578.00 (+TAX). THEY EVEN SENT A "CPIA - GOODWILL RECOMMENDATION" REQUES…

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TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MAKING A BUZZING/WHINING NOISE AT THE ENGINE AREA. THIS WHOLE PROCESS STARTED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 WHEN THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED TO THE AMOUNT OF $1,578.00 (+TAX). THEY EVEN SENT A "CPIA - GOODWILL RECOMMENDATION" REQUEST TO WHICH NISSAN'S MESSAGE BACK WAS "GOODWILL IS NOT RECOMMENDED". AT THAT TIME I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME WHY A TIMING CHAIN THAT IS MEANT TO OUTLAST THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHEN MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76,717 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALWAYS ENSURED IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AT THE INTERVALS RECOMMENDED AND I AM A VERY SAFE AND GOOD DRIVER AND KEEP MY VEHICLE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, IT IS NOT NEGLECTED IN ANYWAY. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I PHONE THE NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE LINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING FURTHER THAT COULD BE DONE. AFTER 6 PHONE CALLS WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE THEY TOO DECIDED THAT THEY FELT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOT THEIR PROBLEM. SO I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED A RECOMMENDATION TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. I SENT HIM A VERY DETAILED EMAIL REQUESTING ASSISTANCE, HE STATED HE'D LOOK INTO MY CONCERNS. UNFORTUNATELY, HE TOO RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE THAT NISSAN FEELS THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED IN ANYWAY TO REPAIR THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. AT THIS TIME I PLAN TO PURSUE THIS FURTHER BY CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND LEMON LAW TO SEE IF THEY CAN ASSIST IN ANYWAY. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR THE CONSUMER TO PAY THE COST OF REPLACING A PART THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER SINCE IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART, SINCE IT'S DESIGNED TO OUT LIVE THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, LAST I CHECKED 76,000+ MILES ON A NISSAN IS NOT THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE. I HOPE THAT NISSAN WILL FINALLY REALIZE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND ASSIST IN RESOLVING THIS MATTER FOR ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263179

30,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT THE VEHICLE UPON APPROACHING A TOLL BOTH. THE CLUTCH EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE GEAR COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE CLUTCH EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT THE VEHICLE UPON APPROACHING A TOLL BOTH. THE CLUTCH EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE GEAR COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE CLUTCH EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241355

61,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10238734

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