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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

60 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL. VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WHEN DEALER IS NOTIFIED, DEALER REFUSES THAT THERE WAS A PAST RECALL ON THIS PART FOR THE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 ENGINE. DEALER WILL NOT HELP. THIS VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF WHILE IN MOTION AS WELL AS STATIONA…

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TAKATA RECALL. VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. WHEN DEALER IS NOTIFIED, DEALER REFUSES THAT THERE WAS A PAST RECALL ON THIS PART FOR THE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 ENGINE. DEALER WILL NOT HELP. THIS VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF WHILE IN MOTION AS WELL AS STATIONARY . THIS VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT START UP. LOCAL MECHANIC IS QUOTED SAYING " VEHICLE'S ENGINE PARTS ARE THE EXACT ENGINE PARTS FROM WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE. THE PARTS WERE NEVER REPLACED.".

NHTSA ODI #10808295

108,000 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THE 2005 SUMMARY: 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: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSO…

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CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THE 2005 SUMMARY: 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: 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.

NHTSA ODI #10783315

118,000 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR HAS BEEN REJECTED 2 YEARS IN A ROW DURING MY ROUTINE INSPECTION, DUE TO RUSTED/ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT MY NISSAN TO KELLY NISSAN OF LYNNFIELD IN JULY 2014, AFTER MY LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC FAILED IT [JULY 2014] DUE TO RUSTED/ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE …

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MY CAR HAS BEEN REJECTED 2 YEARS IN A ROW DURING MY ROUTINE INSPECTION, DUE TO RUSTED/ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT MY NISSAN TO KELLY NISSAN OF LYNNFIELD IN JULY 2014, AFTER MY LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC FAILED IT [JULY 2014] DUE TO RUSTED/ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP PASSED MY CAR IN INSPECTION AND TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN ABOUT THE FLOORBOARD. TODAY, I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION [PAST DUE] TO MY LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC, AND THEY FAILED IT DUE TO RUSTED/ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY APPROXIMATED THE HOLE IS 4 INCHES BY 6 INCHES. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND CREATED A CASE FILE. I AM SUPPOSED TO BE CONTACTED BY A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE BY COB TOMORROW. THE MANAGER OF KELLY NISSAN OF LYNNFIELD CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME UNTIL A DETERMINATION IS MADE BY THE LOCAL REP, AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL GO THROUGH, AS IT APPEARS THAT I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THEIR DEALERSHIP ENOUGH TO WARRANT THEM TO DO THE REPAIR. SO THAT WAS THE GOOD NEWS; THAT I HAVE ENOUGH HISTORY WITH THEIR DEALERSHIP THAT I COULD POTENTIALLY GET IT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #10764637

1,000,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED OUT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT INTO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR 10 YEARS EVERY 3,500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER MENTIONED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTING OUT. I ONLY LEARNED OF THE ISSUE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC F…

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THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED OUT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT INTO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR 10 YEARS EVERY 3,500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER MENTIONED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTING OUT. I ONLY LEARNED OF THE ISSUE WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI #10750265

95,000 miles · Aug 20, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other

AS YOU WELL KNOW BY NOW, THE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS ALAS REACHED MY NISSAN ALTIMA. FLOORBOARD IS RUSTING INTENSELY BUT I AM NOT DO RICH SO CAN'T AFFORD THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT EVERY MECHANIC (I PAID TO INSPECT BY THE WAY) IS QUOTING ME. NOTHING MUCH TO ADD TO THIS DESCRIPTION BECAUSE NO…

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AS YOU WELL KNOW BY NOW, THE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS ALAS REACHED MY NISSAN ALTIMA. FLOORBOARD IS RUSTING INTENSELY BUT I AM NOT DO RICH SO CAN'T AFFORD THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT EVERY MECHANIC (I PAID TO INSPECT BY THE WAY) IS QUOTING ME. NOTHING MUCH TO ADD TO THIS DESCRIPTION BECAUSE NO ONE IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ANYWAY. ISSUE HAS BEEN ON LOCAL NEWSCASTS SO MY INSIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF FILING COMPLAINT IS STRICTLY TO JOIN THE CAUSE IN MIND AND SPIRIT. BY NO MEANS TRYING TO SOUND INSENSITIVE INSTEAD TRUTHFUL; IT'S CLEAR SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THINGS CHANGE, JUST HOPE ISN'T IS ME.

NHTSA ODI #10749943

116,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Air BagsSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND OVER CORRECTED IN A CURVE. SHE HIT A TREE AND THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS HELD BACK BY THE SEAT BELT HER HEAD IMPACTING THE CENTER OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT HINGING ITSELF AT THE TOP AND MAKIN…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND OVER CORRECTED IN A CURVE. SHE HIT A TREE AND THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS HELD BACK BY THE SEAT BELT HER HEAD IMPACTING THE CENTER OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT HINGING ITSELF AT THE TOP AND MAKING TWO VERY POINTED AND SHARP EDGES ON EACH BOTTOM CORNER. THE RIGHT BOTTOM POINT PIERCED THE SKIN BETWEEN HER NOSE AND THE CORNER OF HER LEFT EYE MISSING IT BY LESS THAN A SIXTEENTH OF AN INCH AND BREAKING HER NOSE. THE DANGEROUS PART IS THE TWO SHARP POINTS ON THE FLAP WHERE THE AIR BIG DEPLOYED SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI #10747696

130,000 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS KEPT GOING OFF AND ON. THERE WAS ALSO A CLANKING SOUND. I STOPPED AND LET CAR COOL. CONTINUED DRIVING AND NOTICED FIRE FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. RAN OUT OF CAR AND IT CAUGHT FIRE 30 SECONDS AFTER FOLLOWED BY COUPLE OF EXPLOSIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10745999

70,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAVE RUSTED SO BADLY I CAN PUT MY FOOT THROUGH THE HOLE

NHTSA ODI #10745117

90,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other

THE ENTIRE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE FRONT SEATS IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD UNDERNEATH THE CAR. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FLOOR HAD HOLES IN IT (FOUND RIGHT AFTER I HAD ALREADY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE). THIS IS A HAZARD FOR THE PASSENGERS, VERY COMMON AMONGST NISSAN ALTIMAS AND SHOULD…

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THE ENTIRE FLOOR IN FRONT OF THE FRONT SEATS IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD UNDERNEATH THE CAR. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FLOOR HAD HOLES IN IT (FOUND RIGHT AFTER I HAD ALREADY BOUGHT THE VEHICLE). THIS IS A HAZARD FOR THE PASSENGERS, VERY COMMON AMONGST NISSAN ALTIMAS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS ISSUE MAKES THE CAR UNSELLABLE SINCE IT WILL NEVER PASS INSPECTION UNLESS A MAJOR REPAIR IS DONE TO ITS BODY. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A CAR WOULD HAVE STRUCTURAL ISSUES LIKE SEVERE RUST AND NISSAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THE NHTSA NOT MAKE NISSAN BUY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10743801

147,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
Unknown Or Other

A MECHANIC, DURING AN UNRELATED REPAIR, REPORTED HE COULD SEE CARPET FROM THE UNDERNEATH MY CAR AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DISCOVERED TWO HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARDS ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES (FRONT SEAT). I TOOK THIS IN FOR AN ESTIMATE AND IT WILL COST $700-1000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN…

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A MECHANIC, DURING AN UNRELATED REPAIR, REPORTED HE COULD SEE CARPET FROM THE UNDERNEATH MY CAR AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DISCOVERED TWO HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARDS ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES (FRONT SEAT). I TOOK THIS IN FOR AN ESTIMATE AND IT WILL COST $700-1000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN...THESE FLOORBOARDS SHOULD NOT RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH LIKE THIS. I HAVE CHILDREN AND AM WORRIED THAT ROAD DEBRIS OR SOMETHING RIPPING THROUGH THE CARPET FROM THE INSIDE COULD CAUSE INJURY OR WORSE AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10735863

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