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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

42 reports
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109,306 miles · Jun 5, 2013
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

THE FIRST TIME CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TURNING AND THE STEER GOT REAL STIFF. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS REAL SCARY!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515383

109,300 miles · Apr 1, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS STARTING MY CAR ON 03/23/2013 AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL SO I TRIED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I CALLED NISSAN REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE CRANKSHAFT ISSUE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL AND I HAVE READ SEVERAL POST OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE …

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I WAS STARTING MY CAR ON 03/23/2013 AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL SO I TRIED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I CALLED NISSAN REGARDING THE RECALL FOR THE CRANKSHAFT ISSUE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL AND I HAVE READ SEVERAL POST OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN IS NOT OWNING UP TO AND TAKING CARE OF THE ISSUE FURTHERMORE WHEN I AM DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTS TO WANT TO STALL BUT THANKFULLY I WAS GOING AT A DECENT SPEED FOR IT NOT TO DO THAT I DID GO TO HAVE A TEST RAN ON THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND IT CAME BACK TO BE A SPEED CONTROL SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT I WENT TO O'REILLY'S AUTO PARTS AND WHEN I TOLD THE NISSAN REP HE SAYS THAT THE MACHINE AT O'REILLY'S WAS ONLY TAKING A GUESS BUT I DONT BELIEVE THAT ONE BIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505179

81,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 10/2008 A FEW MONTHS AFTERWARDS I STARTED NOTICING THE CLUTCH WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE IT AFTER THAT INCIDENT AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING SO I LET IT GO. IT WOULD NOTICE IT HAPPENING AGAIN, USUALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING AROUND TOWN IN STOP AND…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 10/2008 A FEW MONTHS AFTERWARDS I STARTED NOTICING THE CLUTCH WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE IT AFTER THAT INCIDENT AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING SO I LET IT GO. IT WOULD NOTICE IT HAPPENING AGAIN, USUALLY WHEN I'M DRIVING AROUND TOWN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SOO MANY TIMES NOW. I WILL BE DRIVING AND THEIR WOULD BE NO PRESSURE IN THE CLUTCH, IT WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND ALL THE TIME I'D HAVE TO USE MY FEET TO POP IT BACK UP. ONE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PARKED. I TURNED MY CAR ON AND PUT MY FOOT ON CLUTCH, NO PRESSURE. USUALLY I COULD PUT IT IN GEAR, DRIVE IT AROUND FOR 10 MINS (POPPING THE CLUTCH BACK UP) THE WHOLE TIME AND THE PRESSURE WOULD START TO COME BACK AFTER A COUPLE DRIVES AROUND THE BLOCK. THIS TIME, I COULDN'T EVEN PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. I WAS STUCK FOR ALMOST 30 MINS, TRYING TO PUMP THE CLUTCH, TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF, DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN GEAR AND DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND THEN STRAIGHT TO THE MECHANIC. WHO TOLD ME NOTHING. BASICALLY HE BLED SYSTEM, AND SO FORTH AND SO FORTH. JUST YESTERDAY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN BUSY STREET IN MY CITY. IT IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS AND AS I BEGAN TO RESEARCH ONLINE, I NOTICED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I'VE PUT INTO TRYING TO "FIX" THIS PROBLEM BUT THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. TO ENSURE THAT NO LIVES ARE LOST OR IN DANGER, SOMEONE FROM NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458969

78,000 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BAD, PART HAS A KNOWN DEFECT FROM THE SUPPLIER YET NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE OR CALL RECALL NOTICE. CAR CAN SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, HIGH RISK FOR FATALITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456199

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

MAKE: NISSAN MODEL: ALTIMA MODEL YEAR(S): 2005 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 07V527000 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING MY CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT ALERT. THE REASON WAS DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFTS WHICH I REPLACED BUT KEPT HAVING THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC SUGG…

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MAKE: NISSAN MODEL: ALTIMA MODEL YEAR(S): 2005 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 07V527000 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING MY CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT ALERT. THE REASON WAS DUE TO THE CRANKSHAFTS WHICH I REPLACED BUT KEPT HAVING THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC SUGGEST TO LOOK UP ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS AND I FOUND THE ABOVE CAMPAIGN WHICH DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM EXACTLY. ALL I NEED TO DO IS TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. THE DEALERS STATES THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND WANT TO CHARGE TO GET IT REPROGRAM. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A MANUFACTURE DEFECT WHEN THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THE CARS HAS NO OTHER PROBLEMS AND THE ONLY REASON WHY IT WON'T PASS INSPECTION IS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED ABOVE. I DON'T SEE WHY THIS SHOULD BE AND I NEED A RECALL NOTICE TO TAKE TO THE DEALER TO GET THE CAR ECM PROGRAMMED. OR DO I HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT BEFORE THE PROBLEM CAN BE CORRECTED. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454690

70,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRANSPORTING WITH MY 1 AND 2 YEAR OLD IN MY VEHICLE DRIVING ABOUT 30MPH MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424211

147,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

THE FOLLOWING IS A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2011. AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30AM, WHILE DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, WHICH I REGULARLY DRIVE, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE IN WHICH MY VEHICLE WAS SEPARATED BY A CU…

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THE FOLLOWING IS A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2011. AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30AM, WHILE DRIVING MY FATHER'S 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S, WHICH I REGULARLY DRIVE, I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE IN WHICH MY VEHICLE WAS SEPARATED BY A CURBED SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING. I PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I GLANCED TO THE RIGHT OF ME AT THE PASSENGER'S SEAT TO MAKE SURE I HAD MY BELONGINGS. MY HANDS WERE NEITHER ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY THE VEHICLE INSTANTLY LAUNCH FORWARD. IT JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT INTO THE SHOPPING CARTS WHICH WERE BETWEEN MY VEHICLE AND THE BUILDING'S WALL. THE CAR BEGAN TO LURCH BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY, RAMMING INTO THE SHOPPING CARTS, CAUSING MY BODY TO ALSO BE TOSSED BACK AND FORTH IN THE SAME MANNER. I PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO REVERSE TO TRY AND REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SIDEWALK. IMMEDIATELY AFTER I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE SIDEWALK I PUT THE GEAR SHIFT BACK INTO PARK. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE BACKWARDS WITH AS MUCH FORCE AND VELOCITY AS IT EXERTED WHEN IT FIRST LAUNCHED FORWARD. I FOUND MYSELF SPEEDING BACKWARDS SO RAPIDLY THAT I HAD NO MEANS OF STOPPING THE CAR. THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER IT STRUCK TWO VEHICLES THAT WERE PARKED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401034

113,556 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

CARS POWER STARTED FLUTTERING AROUND 45-50 MPH, LIKE IT WAS WANTING TO DIE. IT HAD PREVIOUSLY DIED WHILE IDLEING..CODES WERE CHECKED THEY CAME UP AS BAD CRANK AND CAM SENSOR..AND BAD SPEED SENSOR.AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER..NOTICED CAR WAS UNDER RE-CALL..TOWED IT TO DEALER THEY FLASHED ECM..WHEN WE WERE DRIVING CAR HOME ALL PROBLEM…

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CARS POWER STARTED FLUTTERING AROUND 45-50 MPH, LIKE IT WAS WANTING TO DIE. IT HAD PREVIOUSLY DIED WHILE IDLEING..CODES WERE CHECKED THEY CAME UP AS BAD CRANK AND CAM SENSOR..AND BAD SPEED SENSOR.AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER..NOTICED CAR WAS UNDER RE-CALL..TOWED IT TO DEALER THEY FLASHED ECM..WHEN WE WERE DRIVING CAR HOME ALL PROBLEMS RE-OCCURRED..HAD CODES CHECKED AT ANOTHER GARAGE ALL THE SAME ONES CAME UP..CALLED DEALER THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL AND WANTED TO CHARGE US TO CHECK CODES TOLD THEM WE ALREADY HAD THEM AND THEY SAID ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM...THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN ADDRESSING THE REAL ISSUES OR FIXING WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS, WHAT A RIP-OFF..

NHTSA ODI #10383544

79,900 miles · Oct 24, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. A WEEK AGO THE CAR BEGAN SHUTTING ITSELF OFF WHILE SHE IS DRIVING IT. THE CODES SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND WE DID SO. THIS DID NOT STOP THE PROBLEM. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE TODAY HER CAR STOPPED AND SHE WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A TRU…

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MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. A WEEK AGO THE CAR BEGAN SHUTTING ITSELF OFF WHILE SHE IS DRIVING IT. THE CODES SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND WE DID SO. THIS DID NOT STOP THE PROBLEM. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE TODAY HER CAR STOPPED AND SHE WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A TRUCK. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS THAT NISSAN ALTIMAS HAVE A HISTORY OF THIS SORT OF PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362088

52,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10348988

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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