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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
200,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD OVERHEATED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10660907

74,000 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Structure

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I HAD ASSUMED IT WAS A BRANCH OR SOMETHING AS SIMPLE. I ASKED A COUPLE OF CO-WORKERS IF THEY WOULDN'T MIND CHECKING IT OUT FOR ME. BOTH TOLD ME IT WAS A PIECE OF METAL HANGING BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT…

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A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I HAD ASSUMED IT WAS A BRANCH OR SOMETHING AS SIMPLE. I ASKED A COUPLE OF CO-WORKERS IF THEY WOULDN'T MIND CHECKING IT OUT FOR ME. BOTH TOLD ME IT WAS A PIECE OF METAL HANGING BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS PUT ON A LIFT TO BE INSPECTED. I ALSO LOOKED AT THE CAR ALONG WITH THE SHOP'S OWNER AND OTHER MECHANIC. THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE INTERIOR, A HOLE LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT ONE'S FOOT THROUGH IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE CARPETING. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS EXAMINED THEN THE BODY. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGN OF RUST ON THIS VEHICLE WHATSOEVER. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS MODEL FOR THE EXACT SAME TYPE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660023

90,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 21, 2014. SHE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE RECEIVED BACK, LEG AND KNEE INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BY THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE…

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MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 21, 2014. SHE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE RECEIVED BACK, LEG AND KNEE INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BY THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE SPEED OF THE OTHER DRIVER. TO ADD, MY DAUGHTER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND THANK GOD THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR AIRBAG ISSUES. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT IF SO. IN DOING RESEARCH I AM FINDING OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAG ISSUES AFFECTING PAST AND CURRENT NISSAN MODELS. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THE RESTRAINT CONTROLLER DETECTS A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME AIRBAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY BECAUSE AUTO MANUFACTURERS ATTEMPTS TO CUT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEMS, WHICH IN TURN REDUCES THE QUALITY OR THE QUANTITY OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I AM OUT A CAR AND STRONGLY CONSIDERING RETAINING AN ATTORNEY TO HANDLE THE CASE..,.UPDATED 12/03/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10659727

90,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 21, 2014. SHE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE RECEIVED BACK, LEG AND KNEE INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BY THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE…

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MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 21, 2014. SHE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE RECEIVED BACK, LEG AND KNEE INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BY THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE SPEED OF THE OTHER DRIVER. TO ADD, MY DAUGHTER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND THANK GOD THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR AIRBAG ISSUES. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT IF SO. IN DOING RESEARCH I AM FINDING OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAG ISSUES AFFECTING PAST AND CURRENT NISSAN MODELS. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THE RESTRAINT CONTROLLER DETECTS A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME AIRBAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY BECAUSE AUTO MANUFACTURERS ATTEMPTS TO CUT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEMS, WHICH IN TURN REDUCES THE QUALITY OR THE QUANTITY OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I AM OUT A CAR AND STRONGLY CONSIDERING RETAINING AN ATTORNEY TO HANDLE THE CASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659726

86,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659305

13,500 miles · Nov 17, 2014
StructureInjury

FLOOR PAN IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT THIS CAR IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD, I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO HELP... THIS COMPANY CHOOSES PROFIT OVER CUSTOMERS THAT IS WHY THEY MOVED ALL THEIR OFFICES TO INDIA FOR CHEAP LABOR... * DO NOT BUY NISSAN* GO HONDA!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658655

89,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

ROUGH IDLE. 3 YEARS AGO IT DID THE SAME THING AND I HAD THE 0'2 SENSORS REPLACED AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. I DRIVE IT IN TOWN SO IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE PUT ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON NOW AND NISSAN TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND PAY THEM TO CHECK OUT THE…

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ROUGH IDLE. 3 YEARS AGO IT DID THE SAME THING AND I HAD THE 0'2 SENSORS REPLACED AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. I DRIVE IT IN TOWN SO IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE PUT ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON NOW AND NISSAN TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP AND PAY THEM TO CHECK OUT THE ENGINE AND SEND NISSAN THE RESULTS AND THEY "MAY" REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF CHECKING IT OUT. I JUST REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS LAST WEEK BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEM NEEDED REPLACED. IT RAN FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW BACK TO SAME THINGS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT LEAKS A LITTLE OIL, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL OVER THE COURSE OF 2-3 DAYS. THERE IS ALSO OIL ROUND THE CRANKCASE. WONDERING WHY MIGHT BE. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654811

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2014
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS ARE ROTTING THROUGH, REST OF MY ALTIMA IS RUST FREE....WHY??...I SEE THIS HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2005/NISSAN/ALTIMA/STRUCTURE/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654429

97,867 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE DIED WHILE COASTING DOWN THE SIDE STREET. ONCE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY TO OFF. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD CRACK, BUT WOULD NOT START. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LISTED FOR A RECALL FOR THE 2.5 ENGINE BUT NOT FOR MY 3.5 ENGINE, AND NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP …

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VEHICLE DIED WHILE COASTING DOWN THE SIDE STREET. ONCE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY TO OFF. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD CRACK, BUT WOULD NOT START. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN LISTED FOR A RECALL FOR THE 2.5 ENGINE BUT NOT FOR MY 3.5 ENGINE, AND NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653027

204,000 miles · Oct 29, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL FILLER HOSE WAS CORRODED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL FILLER HOSE WAS CORRODED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

NHTSA ODI #10651122

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