← 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

What owners actually said

1,091 reports
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

PURCHASED A 05 ALTIMA IN JUNE OF 2004. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR IN AT 19,000 AND TOLD THEM MY CAR SHAKES AND THERE IS A TICKING IN THE FRONT END. SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. YOU CAN FEEL THE SHAKING IN THE SEATS, GEAR SHIFT AND STEERING WHEEL. NOT TO MENTION THE SHAKING CONTINUES TO KNOCK MY …

Read full complaint

PURCHASED A 05 ALTIMA IN JUNE OF 2004. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE CAR IN AT 19,000 AND TOLD THEM MY CAR SHAKES AND THERE IS A TICKING IN THE FRONT END. SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. YOU CAN FEEL THE SHAKING IN THE SEATS, GEAR SHIFT AND STEERING WHEEL. NOT TO MENTION THE SHAKING CONTINUES TO KNOCK MY WINDOWS OUT OF PLACE. THE SHAKING HAPPENS WHEN YOUR ARE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING. THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT. I DID THE ALIGNMENT. THEY THEN SAID THAT THE TICKING WAS NORMAL AND THE SHAKING WAS NORMAL. SO BEING A YOUNG FEMALE I WAS TOOK THEM FOR THERE WORD. I THEN WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, NO ONE WAS HURT. CALLED NISSAN SAID TIRES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO I WENT TO AN OUTSIDE TIRE DEALER TO HAVE REPLACED, WAS TOLD RIM WAS BENT. AGAIN CALLED NISSAN WAS TOLD THAT WAS MY PROBLEM. SO I PURCHASED A NEW SET OF RIMS. JUST STARTED TO FACE THE FACT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE SHAKING AND NOISE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO RETURNED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALONG WITH THE SHAKING AND NOISE NOW THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. WAS TOLD TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACE, ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE. ALSO GET THIS RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER RIM BENT. AGAIN! SAID IT WAS THE ROADS. TOOK TO TIRE DEALER. RIM WAS BENT. HE DID HIS PART, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR MORE TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS THEN I CARE TO REMIND MYSELF. BUT HAS BEEN NO FIX TO ANY OF MY ISSUES. AT CLOSING OF REPAIR TICKET WAS TOLD TICKING NOISE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM BUT THEY WERE PRETTY SURE IT WAS NOT THE ENGINE. THE SHAKING WAS FROM A BROKE RACK AND PINION. SO NOW THAT I AM OVER MY 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. I NEED TO PAY OVER 1300.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED. I FEEL LIKE THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND I AM NOW STUCK. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS LACK OF CONCERN NISSAN HAS WITH MY ISSUES. I NEED HELP GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156841

22,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 ALTIMA LEFT DRIVER SIDE BRAKES AND ROTORS WORE OUT AT 22,000 MILES. *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10157317

13,000 miles · May 1, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED WHEN IT WAS CLOSED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10156550

15,000 miles · Apr 23, 2006
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK WHEN REAR ENDED FROM BEHIND. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155919

18,000 miles · Apr 12, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING. AS I REACHED THE FRONT OF THE SPOT (THE END WHERE THE FRONT OF MY CAR WOULD BE), MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA BUCKED BACKWARD SLIGHTLY, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR HIT A TREE, THEN CONTINUED FORWARD UNTIL IT STOPPED IN THE BEDROOM OF MY DOWNSTAIRS NEIGHB…

Read full complaint

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING. AS I REACHED THE FRONT OF THE SPOT (THE END WHERE THE FRONT OF MY CAR WOULD BE), MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA BUCKED BACKWARD SLIGHTLY, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CAR HIT A TREE, THEN CONTINUED FORWARD UNTIL IT STOPPED IN THE BEDROOM OF MY DOWNSTAIRS NEIGHBOR. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME. I AM SURE OF THIS, AS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. THE FIRST TIME, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO A CONCRETE POLE. REPAIRS TO THE AUTO BODY (ONLY) WERE COMPLETED, BUT IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS DOWNSHIFTING VERY HARD. I HAD NISSAN CHECK IT OUT, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I AM NOT NUTS. I AM NOT SENILE. I AM NOT ELDERLY (52). I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 34 YRS. AND HAVE HAD AN EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORD (UNTIL NOW). THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN DECEMBER 2004, AND IN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD 2 ALMOST IDENTICAL ACCIDENTS (SAME MALFUNCTION; SAME APPROACH TO THE PARKING SPOT). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155225

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2006
SeatsInjury

MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HE HAD THE FRONT DOOR OPEN WHEN I WAS STANDING THERE TALKING TO HIM. I SAW A BOTTLE UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND REACHED UNDER THE SEAT TO GRAB IT. AND A METAL BAR THAT UNDER THE SEAT CUT MY FINGER AS IF IT WAS A MEAT SLICER. THIS BAR THAT I CUT MY FINGER ON IS ABOUT A 13 INCH BAR AND IT IS AS …

Read full complaint

MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HE HAD THE FRONT DOOR OPEN WHEN I WAS STANDING THERE TALKING TO HIM. I SAW A BOTTLE UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AND REACHED UNDER THE SEAT TO GRAB IT. AND A METAL BAR THAT UNDER THE SEAT CUT MY FINGER AS IF IT WAS A MEAT SLICER. THIS BAR THAT I CUT MY FINGER ON IS ABOUT A 13 INCH BAR AND IT IS AS SHARP AS A KNIFE..IT CUT SO EASY I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL I PULLED MY HAND OUT AND IT FELT LIKE I JUST GOT FILLETED. THIS BAR IS ATTACH TO THE SEAT. I COULD NOT EVEN THINK IF THIS WAS A CHILD ARM...HOW BAD IT COULD OF BEEN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152913

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2006
Suspension

BACK PASSENGER CONTROL BAR (2 RODS) BROKE AT THE WELD WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TIRE, AND THE REAR HOUSING. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS THE POOREST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER, I WAS THEN TOLD IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER EITHER WARRANTY THAT I CARRY. I WAS T…

Read full complaint

BACK PASSENGER CONTROL BAR (2 RODS) BROKE AT THE WELD WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED MY CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TIRE, AND THE REAR HOUSING. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THIS WAS THE POOREST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER, I WAS THEN TOLD IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER EITHER WARRANTY THAT I CARRY. I WAS TOLD TO TURN IT OVER TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I FEEL THAT NISSAN IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM. THIS SAME PART HAS A RECALL IN OTHER STATES, JUST NOT FLORIDA? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I HAVE BEEN TOLD BECAUSE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS, HOW MANY EXCUSES CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH? FLORIDA DOES AND WILL ALWAYS HAVE WEATHER CONDITIONS! I HAVE OWNED 4 CARS, 3 OF THEM BEING NISSAN. I GUESS THIS SAYS THAT I'M LOYAL AND THERE NOT! I FEEL LIKE IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE A NISSAN CUSTOMER. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN. MY CAR IS NOW AT A SECOND NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO SAY CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NO BETTER THERE. I FEEL I HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A RIDE. I BELIEVE ALL THERE IN FOR IS A SELL! IT DOESN'T PAY TO PURCHASE THE WARRANTY, IT'S A SELL AND NOTHING MORE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10151686

7,000 miles · Feb 13, 2006
Visibility

I BOUGHT A NISSAN ALTIMA JULY 2005. ON DECEMBER WHEN THE WEATHER IN FLORIDA START TO BE NICE I OPEN THE SUNROOF AND IT START MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THAT IT NEED TO GO TO THE BODY SHOP TO BE FIX, THE SECOND APPT. WAS AT THE BODY SHOP THEY CALL ME AND SAID THAT IT WAS FIXE…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A NISSAN ALTIMA JULY 2005. ON DECEMBER WHEN THE WEATHER IN FLORIDA START TO BE NICE I OPEN THE SUNROOF AND IT START MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THAT IT NEED TO GO TO THE BODY SHOP TO BE FIX, THE SECOND APPT. WAS AT THE BODY SHOP THEY CALL ME AND SAID THAT IT WAS FIXED. WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME, THE NOISE WAS THERE I TOOK IT THE NEXT MORNING AND AFTER 4 DAYS NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE RAIL IS BENT AND THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND IT IS NOT A DEFECT FROM THE CAR SO IT IS NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 9,000 MILES AND THEY DON'T WANT TO COVER SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED UNDER THE FIRST YEAR WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150078

4,000 miles · Feb 1, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineSeatsVisibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAUGES THAT TURN ON THE DEFROSTER CAUSE THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES OFF OF THE ROAD. THE GAS CAP IS AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE AND TOO HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAS BACK PROBLEMS AND MUST SIT IN THE DRIVER SEAT AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE TOO CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG. UPDATED 03/17/06. …

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAUGES THAT TURN ON THE DEFROSTER CAUSE THE DRIVER TO TAKE THEIR EYES OFF OF THE ROAD. THE GAS CAP IS AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE AND TOO HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAS BACK PROBLEMS AND MUST SIT IN THE DRIVER SEAT AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE TOO CLOSE TO THE AIRBAG. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149213

17,750 miles · Jan 30, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSFER LINKS, SPINDLES, AND BUSHINGS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALIGNED BY 2 DEALERSHIPS. THE DISTRICT MANAGER DETERMINED IT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, BUT AN ENGINEER FOR THE M…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSFER LINKS, SPINDLES, AND BUSHINGS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALIGNED BY 2 DEALERSHIPS. THE DISTRICT MANAGER DETERMINED IT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, BUT AN ENGINEER FOR THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THIS IS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10149033

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