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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

Structure complaints

351 reports
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90,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Structure

THERE IS A RUSTED HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR OF THE CAR. THE HOLE IS THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL WITH RUSTED METAL AROUND THE AREA OF THE HOLE. APPARENTLY THIS IS COMMON ON 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10407637

62,780 miles · May 8, 2011
Structure

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. 2 HOLES WERE DISCOVERED IN FLOOR PANELS THAT PREVENTED IT FROM PASSING VT INSPECTION. CORROSION WAS FROM INSIDE OUT UNDER BOTH FRONT SEATS NOT VISIBLE FROM VEHICLE INTERIOR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASE 6/25/04. CORROSION IS EXCESSIVE FOR AGE AND MILEAGE EVEN IN AN AREA PRON…

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VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. 2 HOLES WERE DISCOVERED IN FLOOR PANELS THAT PREVENTED IT FROM PASSING VT INSPECTION. CORROSION WAS FROM INSIDE OUT UNDER BOTH FRONT SEATS NOT VISIBLE FROM VEHICLE INTERIOR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASE 6/25/04. CORROSION IS EXCESSIVE FOR AGE AND MILEAGE EVEN IN AN AREA PRONE TO ROAD SALT CORROSION. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED ON MODEL YEARS 2001-2005 YET NO RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND IF NOT RECOGNIZED CAN ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10400289

55,650 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Structure

THE SAFETY AND DURABILITY OF LIQUID FILLED ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED. THEY ARE A TOTAL AND UTTER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURERS KNOW THIS, BUT ARE MAKING THE CONSUMER PAY FOR REPLACEMENT FOR PREMATURE FAILURES AND RELATED DAMAGES. THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE ENGINE RUN ALWAYS. THE ELECTRONICS AREN'T MEANT FOR THIS MUCH VIBRATIONS.…

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THE SAFETY AND DURABILITY OF LIQUID FILLED ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED. THEY ARE A TOTAL AND UTTER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURERS KNOW THIS, BUT ARE MAKING THE CONSUMER PAY FOR REPLACEMENT FOR PREMATURE FAILURES AND RELATED DAMAGES. THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE ENGINE RUN ALWAYS. THE ELECTRONICS AREN'T MEANT FOR THIS MUCH VIBRATIONS. WITH A SOLID, OR EVEN SEMI-SOLID MOUNT, THE FRAME ABSORBS SOME OF THIS ENERGY. BEST REPLACEMENT MOUNTS SHOULD BE A SEMI-SOLID, HONEY COMB NEOPRENE CORE, WITH CABLE REINFORCEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393914

90,000 miles · Mar 27, 2011
Structure

MY WIFE'S 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN WE DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN IS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE INTERIOR CARPETING. THERE'S NOT A MARK ON THE CAR OTHERWISE AND MY WIFE LOVES HER CAR. SHE PURCHASED IT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE ORIGINAL DEALER . HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT AND WANT…

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MY WIFE'S 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN WE DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN IS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE INTERIOR CARPETING. THERE'S NOT A MARK ON THE CAR OTHERWISE AND MY WIFE LOVES HER CAR. SHE PURCHASED IT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED THE ORIGINAL DEALER . HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT AND WANTS TO SEE IT FOR HIMSELF. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE WITH SO MUCH NOISE ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393010

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2011
Structure

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE RUSTING AND RUSTED THROUGH CERTAIN AREAS. I CHANGE MY OWN OIL SO IT WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL I BROUGHT IT INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR A TIMING BELT REPAIR IN MAY '10 WHILE ON THE LIFT THE NISSAN TECH POINTED OUT THE PROBLEM. HE EVEN ADMITTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM/DEFECT IN…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE RUSTING AND RUSTED THROUGH CERTAIN AREAS. I CHANGE MY OWN OIL SO IT WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL I BROUGHT IT INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR A TIMING BELT REPAIR IN MAY '10 WHILE ON THE LIFT THE NISSAN TECH POINTED OUT THE PROBLEM. HE EVEN ADMITTED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM/DEFECT IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL/YEAR. WE TOOK OUR COMPLAINT TO NISSAN AND FILED A CLAIM (CLAIM #[XXX]). THEY INFORMED US THAT SINCE OUR WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO. EVEN THOUGH THE RUST WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL '10 IT WAS THERE ALL ALONG DURING THE WARRANTY TIME. THIS IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THERE ARE NO OTHER RUST PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE UNDER CARRIAGE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HOPE TO HAVE SUPPORT FROM OUTSIDE AGENCY TO MAKE NISSAN MAKE GOOD ON IT'S QUALITY OF CAR. WE DID NOT SPEND OUR HARD EARNED $33,000 ON A FRED FLINSTONE CAR!!! WE ARE WILLING TO SUMMIT PICTURES AND CONTINUE OUR MISSION UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THAT NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS. WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM ONE COULD BE INJURED SEVERELY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386874

89,500 miles · May 12, 2010
Structure

THE PAINT ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WHICH IS PEARL WHITE IS PEELING OFF ON EACH SIDE OF THE HOOD. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY 89,000 MILES AND NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME WITH THIS DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NHTSA ARE GREAT PEOPLE AND MAYBE THEY COULD HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330177

82,000 miles · May 9, 2010
Structure

I HAVE BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE IN OCTOBER OF 2004. JUST YESTERDAY DURING MY OIL CHANGE I HAVE NOTICED A HOLE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND RUSTED AREA IN THE DIAMETER OF A FOOT OR SO. FLOORING RUSTED AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY RESULT OF NOT FORCED DAMAGE BUT DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE CAR FLOORING. I AM FINDING FO…

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I HAVE BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE IN OCTOBER OF 2004. JUST YESTERDAY DURING MY OIL CHANGE I HAVE NOTICED A HOLE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND RUSTED AREA IN THE DIAMETER OF A FOOT OR SO. FLOORING RUSTED AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY RESULT OF NOT FORCED DAMAGE BUT DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE CAR FLOORING. I AM FINDING FORUMS AND LOADS OF COMPLAINTS THAT RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED CAR'S FLOORING SIMPLY START TO RUST. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I AM SURE DEALERSHIP WILL TURN ME AWAY AS THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY USUALLY DO NOT HAVE BODY SHOPS. WHO CAN HELP ME AS I SPENT ABOUT $33,000.00 FOR THIS CAR (LAST 6 YEARS OF PAYING IT OFF.... HELP!!?!? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329506

46,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Structure

TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE INSPECTED (PA INSPECTION). FLOOR PAN ON MY 2005 ALTIMA IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NEEDS TO HAVE FLOOR PAN REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, IS CLEAN AND GARAGE KEPT. CHECKED THE INTERNET, AND NOTICED QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT RUST ON THE PASSENGER AND DR…

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TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE INSPECTED (PA INSPECTION). FLOOR PAN ON MY 2005 ALTIMA IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NEEDS TO HAVE FLOOR PAN REPLACED. THIS CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, IS CLEAN AND GARAGE KEPT. CHECKED THE INTERNET, AND NOTICED QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ABOUT RUST ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVE SIDE. NOTHING ELSE IS SHOWING RUST. HOW CAN ONE PART COMPLETELY RUST OUT AND THE REMAINING PART OF THE CAR HAS NONE AT ALL?? APPARENTLY THERE IS A DEFECT THAT IS HOLDING WATER/MOISTURE AND CAUSING THE RUST. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY MECHANICAL ISSUE - BASICALLY LIKE NEW. HOWEVER, TOTALLY RUSTED OUT IN ONE SPOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319934

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2009
StructureInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE SHARP LOWER CORNER EDGE OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR INJURED HER LEG. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR EXHIBITS THE SAME DEFECT. SHE WAS INJURED TWICE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FAILURES HAVEN'T BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE SHARP LOWER CORNER EDGE OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR INJURED HER LEG. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR EXHIBITS THE SAME DEFECT. SHE WAS INJURED TWICE AFTER THE FAILURE. THE FAILURES HAVEN'T BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,049.

NHTSA ODI #10286815

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2009
StructureInjury

THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IN MY OPINION IS DESIGNED POORLY AND DOES NOT HAVE A SECURE WAY TO STAY UPRIGHT, HAS FALLEN DOWN AND HIT ME ON THE HEAD WHILE I WAS LEANING OVER THE TRUNK TO COLLECT PACKAGES OR BAGS, ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION DUE TO WIND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256844

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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