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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS VERY COLD THE BRAKES ON MY ALTIMA 3.5 WILL SEEM TO LOCK UP AND NOT WANT TO LET ME BRAKE. FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS STUCK A BRICK UNDER THE PEDAL. I HAVE HEARD MANY MANY COMPLAINTS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ASAP. I'VE REPLACED THE PART ALREADY FOR THIS. FOR THE …

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WHEN THE WEATHER GETS VERY COLD THE BRAKES ON MY ALTIMA 3.5 WILL SEEM TO LOCK UP AND NOT WANT TO LET ME BRAKE. FEELS AS IF SOMEONE HAS STUCK A BRICK UNDER THE PEDAL. I HAVE HEARD MANY MANY COMPLAINTS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ASAP. I'VE REPLACED THE PART ALREADY FOR THIS. FOR THE 3.5 PART NUMBER IS 47430-8J100. THE 2.5 IS 8J000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259759

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED DUE TO WEAR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ONLY 60K MILES. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 25K AND I WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213047

24,000 miles · May 26, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WE OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 24,000 MILES. WHILE ON VACATION LAST FEBRUARY 2007 AND WE HEARD THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. HAD NO WARNING BEFORE THIS. IF WE HAD WE WOULD HAVE LEFT THIS CAR HOME. WE LIVE IN ROCHESTER, NY. THE NOISE STARTED IN WINCHESTER,VA. SINCE TO US IT WAS STILL A NEW CAR WE DID NOT T…

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WE OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 24,000 MILES. WHILE ON VACATION LAST FEBRUARY 2007 AND WE HEARD THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. HAD NO WARNING BEFORE THIS. IF WE HAD WE WOULD HAVE LEFT THIS CAR HOME. WE LIVE IN ROCHESTER, NY. THE NOISE STARTED IN WINCHESTER,VA. SINCE TO US IT WAS STILL A NEW CAR WE DID NOT THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE DROVE TO SAVANNAH, GA. SINCE THE NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE WE TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD US THAT ROAD SALT HAD RUSTED THE LEFT SIDE REAR CALIPER. WE HAD A VERY MILD WINTER IN 2005-2006 AND 2007 WINTER STARTED OFF VERY MILD/ HE STATED THAT THE LEFT SIDE REAR BRAKE PADS , NO PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE. PADS AND ROTOR)AND LEFT ROTOR WORE OUT. THEY CLEANED BOTH REAR CALIPERS,RESURFACED RIGHT ROTOR, REPLACED REAR PADS AND LEFT REAR ROTOR. IT COST US $309. WE FEEL THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED SINCE I AM THE ONE THAT DRIVES IT MOST. NISSAN STATES THAT SINCE WE DID NOT DO THE 15,000 WARRANTY CHECK THEY CAN NOT HELP US. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT REAR BRAKES SHOULD GET AT LEAST 60,000 MILES. ALSO WHEN WE ASKED A CLOSE RELATIVE WHO WAS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR NISSAN HE CONSULTED ANOTHER PERSON WHO SAID THAT SINCE THE REPAIR WAS DONE IN A DIFFERENT" WARRANTY ZONE "THAN WERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW UP. TO ME THAT MAKES NO SENSE SINCE CAR MISHAPS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. WE FEEL WE HAVE A LEGITIMATE GRIPE AND SHOULD GET REIMBURSED FROM NISSAN. ONE OF THE REASONS WE PURCHASED THIS CAR WAS THAT CONSUMER REPORTS GAVE THE BRAKING SYSTEM A VERY GOOD RATING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191777

32,000 miles · May 17, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

COMPLETE BRAKE JOB REQUIRED AT 56,000KM. NEW REAR ROTORS & PADS, NEW FRONT PADS. DID NOT BOTHER WITH NISSAN SERVICE. EARLIEST I HAVE EVER REPLACED BRAKES IN AN AUTOMOBILE. VERY LIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10190997

50,750 miles · Mar 11, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5L LOOSES IT'S BRAKES IN COLD WEATHER. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NISSAN KNOW WANTS TO REPLACE THE BRAKING PIECE BY PIECE WITH MY MONEY AND TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184742

15,642 miles · Jan 27, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE; I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STUCK INSIDE OF THE CALIPER SLIDES AND WERE NOT RELEASING FROM THE ROTOR. THEY RECOMMENDED REPAIRS COSTING ($3…

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I HAD NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE; I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE STUCK INSIDE OF THE CALIPER SLIDES AND WERE NOT RELEASING FROM THE ROTOR. THEY RECOMMENDED REPAIRS COSTING ($320 + TAX). THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THEN ADVISED ME THAT THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A 1 1/2 YEAR OLD CAR W/ 15,600 MILES ON IT AND HE WOULD SEE IF THE MANUFACTURER WOULD COVER THE CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR WORK NEEDED. NISSAN DECLINED COVERING THE REPAIRS AT THAT TIME AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE. IN AUGUST OF 2006, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE AT THE COST AS 338.37, WHICH INCLUDED TAX. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE AGE AND MILES ON THE CAR, THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM W/ THE BRAKES AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS STATEMENT, THIS OBVIOUSLY SEEMED TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO INCUR THE COST OF TO CORRECT. I SUBMITTED A LETTER WITH THE RECEIPTS FOR THE WORK DONE AND THE ORIGINAL INVOICE FROM THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO NISSAN TWO TIMES OVER A 3 MONTH SPAN BEFORE I GOT A RESPONSE FROM THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. THEIR RESPONSE WAS, ONE, I ALREADY GOT THE WORK DONE SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO NOW AND SECONDLY THESE ARE ALL WEAR AND TEAR ITEMS. I WAS ADVISED BEING THAT I LIVE IN UPSTATE NY AND THE VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO SNOW AND SALT IN THE WINTER THIS COULD HAPPEN. MY ARGUMENT WAS I'VE LIVED HERE MY WHOLE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER PUT THESE ITEMS ON A VEHICLE W/15K ON IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY REFUSED TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND MY OPINION NOW OF NISSAN AS A MANUFACTURE IS VERY POOR, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWFUL AND OBVIOUSLY THEY MAKE A POOR PRODUCT THAT SHOULD NOT BE SOLD IN STATES WHERE THERE IS SNOW AS THEIR PRODUCT IS NOT MADE FOR ITS INTENDED USE IN THESE AREAS. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN PRODUCT AGAIN AND WOULD ADVISE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF THE SAME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10180901

20,000 miles · Dec 28, 2006
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicInjury

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM MY 2005 ALTIMA THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 05. THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED THE VEHICLE MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS VERY SLUGGISH FROM TAKEOFF, I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL NISSAN ARE SLUGGISH AND NEED TO BE DRIVEN TO GET THE "NE…

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM MY 2005 ALTIMA THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 05. THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED THE VEHICLE MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS VERY SLUGGISH FROM TAKEOFF, I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL NISSAN ARE SLUGGISH AND NEED TO BE DRIVEN TO GET THE "NEWNESS FROM THE VEHICLE" WHAT KIND OF CRAP IS THAT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES ARE SQUEALING AND MY TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I DON'T EVEN HAVE 20K MILES ON MY VEHICLE SO THIS IS VERY MYSTERIOUS TO ME. NISSAN IN MY OPINION DOES NOT LISTEN TO ITS CUSTOMERS AND CLAIMS TO BE THE VERY BEST TOWARDS THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THE COMMERCIALS BUT IN REALITY THEY ARE JUST ANOTHER BIG COMPANY MAKING MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF "USE TO BE LOYAL" CUSTOMERS". EVERY COMPLAINT ON THIS BOARD I CAN AGREE WITH WHICH IS SAD FOR I TO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SEAT BELTS, SHARP BAR UNDER THE PASSENGERS SEAT, ENGINE AND PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT SO BASICALLY ALL WE HAVE IS AN EXPENSIVE GOOD LOOKING NON-WORKING PIECES OF CRAP. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH NISSAN. SIGNED - WILL NEVER EVER EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN IN MY LIFE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177226

19,000 miles · Dec 18, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN MARCH 06 I BROUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT 19,000 MILES WHEN MY MECHANIC STATED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE WORN. I THEN BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALER AND THE TOO STATED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE PREMATURELY WORN, THE PAD DOWN TO THE METAL MORE SO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,THEY DON'T KNOW …

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IN MARCH 06 I BROUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT 19,000 MILES WHEN MY MECHANIC STATED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE WORN. I THEN BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALER AND THE TOO STATED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE PREMATURELY WORN, THE PAD DOWN TO THE METAL MORE SO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,THEY DON'T KNOW WHY BUT WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS TO NISSAN OF AMERICA AND MY DEALER I HAD TO PAY $260 FOR REAR BRAKES. NOW ITS DECEMBER AND 10,000 MILES LATER AND THE REAR BRAKES ARE GRINDING AGAIN. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED AGAIN THAT THEY WERE WORN AND WOULD REPLACE JUST THE RIGHT REAR PADS AND RESURFACE THE ROTOR. I SAID THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG AND AGAIN THE DON'T KNOW WHY THE BRAKES WERE WORN. THEY JUST SAID THAT ALTIMAS GO THROUGH BRAKES FASTER. I DON'T BUY IT. I HAVE A CALL INTO NISSAN NOW, MAYBE THIS TIME THEY WILL DO SOMETHING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176497

26,000 miles · Oct 25, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL WORK, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES WERE CORRODED. THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCATED IN A SALT BELT STATE.

NHTSA ODI #10171823

23,000 miles · Jul 11, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 23,000 MILES AND NO PRIOR BRAKE OR ROTOR PROBLEMS WAS IN NEED OF NEW ROTORS AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED. NEVER TURNED BEFORE. SUGGESTED BY NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE MAINTENANCE CHECK IN SPRING AND FALL TO PREVENT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. NISSAN PAID FOR ROTORS THIS TIME BUT MADE IT CLEAR THEY WOULD NOT PAY…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 23,000 MILES AND NO PRIOR BRAKE OR ROTOR PROBLEMS WAS IN NEED OF NEW ROTORS AND WERE NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED. NEVER TURNED BEFORE. SUGGESTED BY NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE MAINTENANCE CHECK IN SPRING AND FALL TO PREVENT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. NISSAN PAID FOR ROTORS THIS TIME BUT MADE IT CLEAR THEY WOULD NOT PAY IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162173

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