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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.

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
16,000 miles · Jan 26, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN # P5216 FOR THE SUB FRAME. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT OR PARTS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNTIL FEBRUARY OF 2006. UPDATED 2/13/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148791

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2006
Electrical System

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10148500

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10-15 MPH. I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND MY CAR SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND STILL REMAINS THERE.

NHTSA ODI #10147655

33,000 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

OUR ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DIED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR DIED, WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN COMING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE OIL LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON NO MATTER WHAT WHEN IT GETS LOW ON O…

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OUR ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DIED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR DIED, WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN COMING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE OIL LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON NO MATTER WHAT WHEN IT GETS LOW ON OIL, THAT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT THEY PRESSURED US INTO BUYING FOR $1500. NOW THEY ARE NOT HONORING ANY SERVICE AGREEMENTS THEY MADE. THEY ARE IN BREACH OF CONTRACT. WE HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, FOOD, GAS, HITCHHIKING, EVERYTHING..... WE NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EVERYTHING AND HAVE NISSAN TAKE OVER PAYMENTS FOR OUR CAR RENTAL, LOSS OF WORK, RETURNING CAR, AND GETTING A NEW ONE. WE HAVE SPENT FIVE DAYS NOW SCREWING WITH EVERYONE EXCEPT SOMEONE THAT WILL HELP. I HAVE LITERALLY TALKED TO 90 PEOPLE OR MORE SINCE OUR CAR BROKE DOWN. WE WANT HELP RIGHT NOW, OR WE WILL SUE TROPHY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147462

15,000 miles · Dec 31, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR FAILED TO START AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 13 MONTHS. THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS FLOODED, CRANKING BUT NOT FIRING. TO START THE CAR I HAD TO HOLD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN UNTIL THE CAR FIRED AND STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING GASOLINE. WE ONLY USE 2-3 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS WITH GOOD REPUTATIONS. IT…

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THE CAR FAILED TO START AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 13 MONTHS. THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS FLOODED, CRANKING BUT NOT FIRING. TO START THE CAR I HAD TO HOLD THE GAS PEDAL DOWN UNTIL THE CAR FIRED AND STARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING GASOLINE. WE ONLY USE 2-3 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS WITH GOOD REPUTATIONS. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN THE FIRST COLD SPELL OF NOVEMBER 2005. THE DEALER SAID THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULDN'T CAUSE FLOODING AND IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP US. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED BUT AS A PRECAUTION, I RAN THE GAS TANK ALMOST EMPTY AND PUT IN A BOTTLE OF GAS TREATMENT. I ALSO PLAN, IF POSSIBLE, ON BUYING MY GAS FROM ONLY ONE SOURCE FROM HERE ON OUT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146636

1,000 miles · Dec 28, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE CAR FAILED TO START ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT'S FLOODED, CRANKING BUT NOT FIRING. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING GASOLINE (THE SAME GASOLINE RETAILER IS USED FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY) AND DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY HOME IN COLD, BUT NOT SEVERELY COLD, …

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THE CAR FAILED TO START ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT'S FLOODED, CRANKING BUT NOT FIRING. BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING GASOLINE (THE SAME GASOLINE RETAILER IS USED FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY) AND DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY HOME IN COLD, BUT NOT SEVERELY COLD, TEMPERATURES. THE DEALER SAID THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULDN'T CAUSE FLOODING, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND NOW REFUSES TO RESEARCH IT FURTHER. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS ADVISED OF A RECALL THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE, BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AWARE OF IT AND I'M IN THE PROCESS OF FOLLOWING UP ON THIS POINT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146253

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CLUSTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A PINGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE MID SECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THIS NOISE WAS NORMAL. A LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS A BROKEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER.…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CLUSTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A PINGING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE MID SECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THIS NOISE WAS NORMAL. A LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS A BROKEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BASED ON COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE SHE FELT THAT A CLAMP NUT MAY BE LOOSE. THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 90 MINUTES IN THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT BECAME DIZZY BY WHAT SHE FELT MAY BE RELATED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE TRANSMISSION JERKED, AND HESITATED IN LOW GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER PARTIALLY DEFROSTS THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT DID NOT WORK AT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE DEFROSTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10145995

1,300 miles · Nov 30, 2005
Electrical System

FORTH TIME IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED A 2.5 SL IN JUNE 2005. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF IN THE PASSENGER SEAT 6/20/05, SENSOR REPLACED. CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL TRYING 20 MINUTES LATER 7/4/05. SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME TO JIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NOW ON. ON 7/2…

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FORTH TIME IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR IGNITION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED A 2.5 SL IN JUNE 2005. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF IN THE PASSENGER SEAT 6/20/05, SENSOR REPLACED. CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL TRYING 20 MINUTES LATER 7/4/05. SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME TO JIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFT FROM NOW ON. ON 7/28/05 CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL AFTER 20 MINUTES, SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVOICED ME FOR REPROGRAMMING 33.83 AND 79.20 FOR NEW ELECTRONIC KEYS. NOW IN NOV. 2005 CAR IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS LISTED ABOVE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS TALKING TO NISSAN ENGINEERING, I AM DRIVING A RENTAL CAR FOR THE 2ND TIME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144049

20,000 miles · Nov 8, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG SDEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED INJURY TO THE CONTACT'S HAND. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10142211

14,500 miles · Nov 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: CONTACT STATED HER CAR STOPPED ON HER WHILE DRIVING TWO-THREE TIMES SINCE MID AUGUST 2005. THE CAR STARTED SHAKING PRIOR TO STOPPING. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. SHE WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10141679

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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