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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
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2013
Structure

THE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE BUT IS THROUGH THE FLOOR. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES REPORTED FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT STEMS FROM A DESIGN FLAW THAT LEAVES AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN 2 PLATES ON E FLOOR BOARDS SUCH THAT RUST WILL INEVITABLY FORM IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT H…

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THE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE BUT IS THROUGH THE FLOOR. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES REPORTED FOR THIS ISSUE AND IT STEMS FROM A DESIGN FLAW THAT LEAVES AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN 2 PLATES ON E FLOOR BOARDS SUCH THAT RUST WILL INEVITABLY FORM IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS WINTER. UPON ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD MY CONCERN BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE OPUS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THEIR DESIGN FLAW THAT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE (FUMES MAY ENTER THE CABIN) BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE RUST CLEARLY FORMED MANY YEARS AGO BUT WAS NOT RECOGNIZED WHILE THE WARRANTY WAS STILL VALID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548546

104,704 miles · Oct 12, 2013
Structure

UNDERCARRIAGE RUST (2005 ALTIMA 3.5 SE) - THANKFULLY I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AT A NEW PLACE WHERE THEY USE A LIFT VERSUS JUST SERVICING FROM UNDERNEATH THE SERVICE DECK.ONCE THE CAR WAS RAISED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH!! MY UNCLE HAD JUST TOLD ME HE EXPERIENCED THE SAM…

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UNDERCARRIAGE RUST (2005 ALTIMA 3.5 SE) - THANKFULLY I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AT A NEW PLACE WHERE THEY USE A LIFT VERSUS JUST SERVICING FROM UNDERNEATH THE SERVICE DECK.ONCE THE CAR WAS RAISED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH!! MY UNCLE HAD JUST TOLD ME HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH HIS 2004 MAXIMA. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR US NISSAN OWNERS. I FIND IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE NISSAN WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. HOW CAN THE CARS NOT HAVE ANY RUST ANYWHERE ELSE, BUT SPECIFIC PASSENGER AND/OR DRIVER UNDERCARRIAGE AREAS?? WHAT A SAFETY HAZARD! PLEASE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY NISSAN AND DO THE RIGHT THING!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547718

82,902 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA, 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND IN THE FAR LEFT LANE MOVING ABOUT 45, THE CAR DIES. I CAN NOT GET MY CAR TO START. CARS WERE FLYING ON ALL SIDES OF ME EVEN IN THE TURNING LANE NEXT TO ME ON THE LEFT. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR. I CALLED THE POLICE BECAUSE I THOUGHT I COULD BE KILLED. THE POLICE SAID THAT THI…

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IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREA, 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND IN THE FAR LEFT LANE MOVING ABOUT 45, THE CAR DIES. I CAN NOT GET MY CAR TO START. CARS WERE FLYING ON ALL SIDES OF ME EVEN IN THE TURNING LANE NEXT TO ME ON THE LEFT. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR. I CALLED THE POLICE BECAUSE I THOUGHT I COULD BE KILLED. THE POLICE SAID THAT THIS WAS DANGEROUS AND MANAGED TO STOP ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC. THEY BUMPED MY CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK TOOK ME AND MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO PAY $634.35 FOR THE TOW TRUCK AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR REPLACEMENT. NO RECALL. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER SPECIALIST IN TN. TODAY ON 10/9/13 AFTER CALLING EVERYDAY SINCE 9/13/13, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS JUST WHAT HAPPENS IN MAINTAINING THE CAR. I HAD JUST SPENT ALMOST $1000 IN A REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE TEAM LEADER USED THE EXAMPLE OF REPLACING THE TIMING BELT. DON'T SEE WHY THIS IS THE SAME. I ALMOST GOT KILLED AND SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE ALREADY LOST THEIR LIFE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR NISSAN! IF I WAS ON I 75 I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547375

74,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORBOARDS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10546195

62,000 miles · Sep 28, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND CREEPS ALONG IN LIMP HOME MODE. ITS VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS NHTSA RECALL 13V43000 OF SEPT. 26, 2013, THAT AFFECTS NISSAN INFINITI MODELS. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING ONCE OR TWICE THE PROBLEM WILL DISAPPEAR. IN TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A YE…

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CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND CREEPS ALONG IN LIMP HOME MODE. ITS VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS NHTSA RECALL 13V43000 OF SEPT. 26, 2013, THAT AFFECTS NISSAN INFINITI MODELS. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING ONCE OR TWICE THE PROBLEM WILL DISAPPEAR. IN TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENS 2 OR 3 TIMES A YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10545992

111,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL SERVICE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL SERVICE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,143.

NHTSA ODI #10545113

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2013
Structure

TOOK CAR FOR STATE INSPECTION ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE CARPET. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED A LONG TIME AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10544551

115,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
Structure

WHILE GETTING THE OIL CHANGED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN WAS FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST. TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE. THEY CONFIRMED THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL AND WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER WATER DRAINAGE. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS ABOUT 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR RUST WARRANTY. THE …

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WHILE GETTING THE OIL CHANGED, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PAN WAS FOUND TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST. TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE. THEY CONFIRMED THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL AND WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER WATER DRAINAGE. UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS ABOUT 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE 5 YEAR RUST WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY ACTION AND URGED ME TO CREATE AN INCIDENT REPORT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE. I DID, AND UPON REVIEW OF THE CASE, NISSAN'S REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO GET REPAIRED ON MY DOLLAR. I UNDERSTAND CARS RUST, BUT THERE IS NO WAY THE RUST HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. BASED ON THE EXTENT OF THE RUST, THE FLOOR PAN WAS MOST LIKELY SEVERELY RUSTED PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE RUST WARRANTY. NISSAN SHOULD STAND BY THERE PRODUCT AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD AND MODEL SPECIFIC. NISSAN SHOULD NOT ONLY FIX THOSE VEHICLES WHERE THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY A GOOD SAMARITAN CHANGING THE OIL. I FEEL PENALIZED FOR NOT PERSONALLY CLIMBING UNDER MY CAR AND PERIODICALLY INSPECTING IT. SUFFICE IT TO SAY, THERE IS ONLY CARPET SEPARATING THE PASSENGERS FEET AND THE PAVEMENT BELOW. NOT A REASSURING FEELING..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10542953

183,000 miles · Sep 4, 2013
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND HESITATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DETACHED AND CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING AND HESITATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD DETACHED AND CAUSED ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,300. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541777

82,500 miles · Aug 30, 2013
StructureUnknown Or Other

RECENTLY WHILE GETTING NEW TIRES INSTALLED AT A TIRE SHOP, I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS FLOOR PAN RUST ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. THIS RUST COULDN'T OF HAPPENED OVERNIGHT SINCE THE RUST IS ABOUT TO BREAK THROUGH THE CARPET AS IF IT WERE A 15-20 YR. OLD CAR. THE RUST IS LOCATED IN …

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RECENTLY WHILE GETTING NEW TIRES INSTALLED AT A TIRE SHOP, I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS FLOOR PAN RUST ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. THIS RUST COULDN'T OF HAPPENED OVERNIGHT SINCE THE RUST IS ABOUT TO BREAK THROUGH THE CARPET AS IF IT WERE A 15-20 YR. OLD CAR. THE RUST IS LOCATED IN THE SAME SPOT ON EACH SIDE BY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR MATS. ON A SHOP LIFT YOU CAN SEE THAT THE RUST INITIALLY FORMED ON EACH SIDE WHERE THE DRAIN HOLES WERE INSTALLED. AT NISSAN'S REQUEST, I TOOK MY CAR (BOUGHT NEW) TO THE NEAREST NISSAN FOR INSPECTION. MY COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE WAS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON FLOOR PAN RUST AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN I.E THE SEAT CAN MALFUNCTION AND ALSO CARBON DIOXIDE COULD GET INSIDE THE CAR. I ALSO MENTIONED THAT I WAS AWARE ANY KIND OF RUST WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE REASON FOR THE RUST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LIVING IN HIGH SALT STATE. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW BY NISSAN AND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON MAINLY 2ND GEN. ALTIMAS HAVING THIS ADV. FLOOR PAN RUST IN THE EXACT SAME AREAS!! IF THE RUST WAS SPORADIC, THEN SALT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE A CAUSE, AND IF WET SNOWY SHOES WAS THE PROBLEM THEN THERE WOULD BE RUST UNDER THE REAR FLOOR PANS. AS A RESULT, AS NOTED ON THE NISSAN FORUM WEBSITE, A MORE VALID CAUSE IS DESIGN FLAW, DRAIN HOLES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED ALLOWING WATER TO CONGREGATE AND RUST TO FORM. AFTER NISSAN INVESTIGATED MY FILE,THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP. NOT EVEN PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. I FIND THIS UNBELIEVABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE.THIS 2ND GENERATION ALTIMA FLOOR PAN RUST IS SO COMMON THAT EVEN MY NEIGHBOR'S 05 ALTIMA HAS THE SAME RUST SPOTS AS WELL. WHAT ALSO DISAPPOINTS ME IS THAT I HAVE HAD ALL OF MY OIL CHANGES DONE BY NISSAN AND RUST WAS NEVER MENTIONED ONCE.

NHTSA ODI #10538170

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