← 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

Unknown Or Other complaints

60 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2026
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

While driving my 2005 Nissan Altima in active traffic with my [XXX] child, the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. The engine completely shut off while in motion, creating an immediately safety hazard in live traffic conditions. Immediately after the stall, I observed oil leakage and smoke entering the cabin. The veh…

Read full complaint

While driving my 2005 Nissan Altima in active traffic with my [XXX] child, the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. The engine completely shut off while in motion, creating an immediately safety hazard in live traffic conditions. Immediately after the stall, I observed oil leakage and smoke entering the cabin. The vehicle became inoperable and we were stranded roadside. This failure is consistent with a known defect involving the crankshaft position sensor and engine control system addressed in NHTSA Campaign 07V-527, which describes sudden engine stall without warning due to sensor signal interruption. Although my vehicle previously received recall-related service, this incident suggests the prior remedy did not prevent recurrence of the defect. Sudden engine shutdown while driving in traffic Loss of vehicle power without warning Smoke entering passenger cabin Risk of crash involving child passenger Request: I am requesting that NHTSA: Review this incident for potential recall remedy failure Investigate whether this represents recurrence of a known defect Determine whether additional corrective action is needed for this vehicle population INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11734402

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2026
EngineUnknown Or Other

Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Altima | VIN: [XXX] To the Executive Team and Legal Counsel, I am writing this under extreme duress following a catastrophic, life-threatening vehicle failure on April 23, 2026, in Ripley, WV. While transporting my [XXX] son, my 2005 Nissan Altima suffered a sudden engine stall, followed by the engine ba…

Read full complaint

Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Altima | VIN: [XXX] To the Executive Team and Legal Counsel, I am writing this under extreme duress following a catastrophic, life-threatening vehicle failure on April 23, 2026, in Ripley, WV. While transporting my [XXX] son, my 2005 Nissan Altima suffered a sudden engine stall, followed by the engine bay becoming saturated with oil and emitting heavy smoke. This event is the direct result of Nissan’s failure to remediate known federal safety defects, specifically NHTSA Recall 07V527000 (Crankshaft Sensor/Stalling) and NHTSA Recall 06V223000 (Oil Consumption/Fire Risk). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11734008

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2023
Unknown Or Other

The car shuts off while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11529411

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2023
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

When I was in an accident in 2006 Airbags did not open. I worry about valve cap and if it is safe. Other this when opening my door Door handle are defected and breaking off. I never had a car where door handles break. I would like assistance with these issues. Thank you. [XXX]-Customer INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO TH…

Read full complaint

When I was in an accident in 2006 Airbags did not open. I worry about valve cap and if it is safe. Other this when opening my door Door handle are defected and breaking off. I never had a car where door handles break. I would like assistance with these issues. Thank you. [XXX]-Customer INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11528737

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Car did a jerk while I was driving in the interstate never lost speed didnt hit anything it was like a big jerk no noise no smoke no lights came on nothing so I got to my mom house parked no smoke no dent no nothing right well got ready to go a couple hours later no reverse fluid level was kinda low but no leaks now yesterday ge…

Read full complaint

Car did a jerk while I was driving in the interstate never lost speed didnt hit anything it was like a big jerk no noise no smoke no lights came on nothing so I got to my mom house parked no smoke no dent no nothing right well got ready to go a couple hours later no reverse fluid level was kinda low but no leaks now yesterday getting readyto leave work I have no foward either what is this seem like a drive shaft issue to me

NHTSA ODI #11504041

200,000 miles · Dec 24, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BELT BECAUSE THE BELT FROM COMING OFF YOU CHANGE THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THEN IT WOULD RUN FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN IT STARTED TO STOP AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH FUEL TO THE GAS PEDAL AND I'D HAVE TO REV IT UP. WE OPENED IT UP WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ON THE VALVE COVERS AND IT WAS HALFWAY FULL O…

Read full complaint

AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BELT BECAUSE THE BELT FROM COMING OFF YOU CHANGE THE SERPENTINE BELT AND THEN IT WOULD RUN FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN IT STARTED TO STOP AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH FUEL TO THE GAS PEDAL AND I'D HAVE TO REV IT UP. WE OPENED IT UP WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ON THE VALVE COVERS AND IT WAS HALFWAY FULL OF OIL WE GOT ALL THE OIL OUT WHEN WE ORDERED A NEW VALVE COVER AND SPARK PLUGS THE CAR RUN FINE FOR ONE DAY NOW IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. THE FAN TURNS ON LIKE IT IS RUNNING BUT THERE IS NO POWER TO THE CAR AT ALL. I READ THAT AFTER THE OIL GETS INTO THE VALVE COVERS THERE'S REALLY NO FIXING IT AFTER THAT. AND EVERY TIME THAT WE FIX IT ONLY LAST FOR ONE DAY AND SO IT'S VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER TO BE DRIVING AROUND IN THAT UNRELIABLE CAR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11384833

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CRANK SHAFT. IT RUNS ROUGH IT STALLS AND THE GAS MILEAGE IS VERY OFF

NHTSA ODI #11373566

30,000 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I REMEMBER GETTING INTO HIGHWAY ACCELERATING, IT DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT GEAR SUDDENLY IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS OFF. I FREAK OUT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE WALL OF THE BRIDGE. I WAS HANGING FROM THE BRIDGE. I CALLED NISSAN AFFAIRS AND THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS... THE CASE WI…

Read full complaint

I REMEMBER GETTING INTO HIGHWAY ACCELERATING, IT DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT GEAR SUDDENLY IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS OFF. I FREAK OUT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE WALL OF THE BRIDGE. I WAS HANGING FROM THE BRIDGE. I CALLED NISSAN AFFAIRS AND THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS... THE CASE WITH NISSAN AFFAIRS CASE#38420940. BERENIZ AND DAKOTA WERE THE INVESTIGATORS ON THE CASE.

NHTSA ODI #11350112

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineExterior Lighting

CATALYTIC CONVERTER! AND PRECAT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326209

130,000 miles · Oct 22, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I'VE CALLED TO SEE IF THERE'S A RECALL ON THE CAR FUEL SYSTEM TO BE EXACT FUEL GAUGE IS READING FULL IS BROKEN.READS FULL WHEN THERE'S ONLY 5 TO 6 GALLONS OF GAS.THEY WON'T EVEN LOOK AT IT FREE OF CHARGE TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR SITTING.

NHTSA ODI #11270127

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