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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
112,828 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Structure

CAR WAS BOUGHT IN UTAH AND USED IN UTAH AND COLORADO MAINLY. THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR PAN IS RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDS FIXING / REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A STRUCTURAL SAFETY ISSUE. CAR IS LESS THAN 10YRS OLD AND SHOULDN'T SHOW THIS ISSUE THIS EARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523415

120,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Structure

NISSAN IS GARAGE KEPT WITH NO RUST ON VEHICLE. MUFFLER ON SINCE 2006 AND FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH - MUFFLER STILL GOOD. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER. PAID DEALER $1755 TO REPAIR SINCE CHEAPER THAN NEW CAR AND WILL DRIVE UNTIL WHEELS FALL OFF. SINCE NO INJURIES YET, IS THIS THE REASON…

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NISSAN IS GARAGE KEPT WITH NO RUST ON VEHICLE. MUFFLER ON SINCE 2006 AND FLOORBOARDS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH - MUFFLER STILL GOOD. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER. PAID DEALER $1755 TO REPAIR SINCE CHEAPER THAN NEW CAR AND WILL DRIVE UNTIL WHEELS FALL OFF. SINCE NO INJURIES YET, IS THIS THE REASON NOTHING IS BEING DONE. SEEMS TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS ON ALTIMA FROM 2003-2006. CHECK OUT YOUTUBE - HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=HI7F1EFHB00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523037

104,000 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Structure

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH WHICH CAN LEAD TO EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAR, A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FLOOR PANELS SHOULD NOT RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH IN 9 YEARS. WHILE LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND DOES EXPOSE THE CAR TO SALT, I WOULD GO THROUGH THE CAR WASH ON A REGULAR BASIS. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, I WAS I…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH WHICH CAN LEAD TO EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE CAR, A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FLOOR PANELS SHOULD NOT RUST COMPLETELY THROUGH IN 9 YEARS. WHILE LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND DOES EXPOSE THE CAR TO SALT, I WOULD GO THROUGH THE CAR WASH ON A REGULAR BASIS. DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, I WAS INFORMED THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AND THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FLOORBOARD. I TOOK PHOTOS DOCUMENTING THE ISSUE. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT THE AREA UNDER THE FLOOR BOARDS IS COMPLETELY BOWED OUT AND EATEN THROUGH. THIS IS SHODDY MATERIALS AND (LACK OF) CRAFTMANSHIP. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER SIMILAR ISSUES POSTED TO THE DATABASE AND WANTED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AS PART OF MY CLAIM TO NISSAN. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE OIL PAN WHICH IS ALSO QUITE PRONE TO RUSTING QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522707

74,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECURRENTLY FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT REFERENC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECURRENTLY FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10521918

155,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Structure

RUST HOLES IN DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521706

50,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH FUZION HRI TIRES, SIZE: 225/60R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 50,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521699

66,300 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Engine

I WAS DRIVING A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA (SE-R V6 WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT) AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY WIFE AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. I TRIED TO START THE ENGINE RIGHT AWAY. IT'S NOW HARD TO START UNLIKE BEFORE AND IT SO…

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I WAS DRIVING A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA (SE-R V6 WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES ON IT) AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY WIFE AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. I TRIED TO START THE ENGINE RIGHT AWAY. IT'S NOW HARD TO START UNLIKE BEFORE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE STARTING A CAR WITH A WEAK BATTERY ON IT BUT I KNOW MY BATTERY IS STILL GOOD THAT'S WHY I SUSPECTED SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. FINALLY AFTER 3 SECONDS THE ENGINE STARTED BUT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TURNED ON. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DIDN'T ACCELERATE AS IT DID BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT. AFTER RUNNING SOME DIAGNOSTICS, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASK IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ISSUE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID NONE. THE CALCULATED TOTAL COST WAS $631.00. AFTER FURTHER NEGOTIATION THE PRICE WENT DOWN TO $550.00. WHILE WAITING FOR THE SERVICE TO BE FINISHED I BROWSED THE NET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE ALSO THE SAME PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN IF THERE'S REALLY NO RECALL FOR THIS DESPITE OF MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND THEY EVEN PRINTED ME A RESULT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO CAMPAIGN FOR THIS ISSUE. I WENT HOME WONDERING WHY THERE IS NO "RECALL" MADE TO FIX THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521511

89,500 miles · Jun 22, 2013
EngineEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 SUMMARY: 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 WITH REGARD TO ABOVE RECALL DETAILS, WHEN I PROVIDED THE VIN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY DON'T SEE ANY RECALLS F…

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NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 SUMMARY: 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 WITH REGARD TO ABOVE RECALL DETAILS, WHEN I PROVIDED THE VIN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY DON'T SEE ANY RECALLS FOR IT. BUT IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEM IN THE CAR. APPRECIATE IF APPROPRIATE SAFETY CARE IS TAKEN BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521217

107,800 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I HAVE A 2005 ALTIMA SE-R 3.5 V6 I WAS LEAVING A MCDONALD'S PARKING LOT AND AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THERE WAS A HARD JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CAR REVERSED AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE A HARD JERK AND THE CAR WAS IN 5TH GEAR. NO OTHER GEARS WERE AVAILABLE. I PARKED T…

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I HAVE A 2005 ALTIMA SE-R 3.5 V6 I WAS LEAVING A MCDONALD'S PARKING LOT AND AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THERE WAS A HARD JERK AND THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE CAR REVERSED AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE A HARD JERK AND THE CAR WAS IN 5TH GEAR. NO OTHER GEARS WERE AVAILABLE. I PARKED THE CAR AND SHUT IF OFF...AFTER A FEW SECONDS I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THREW IT IN REVERSE AND GOT THE SAME RESULT, I PUT IT IN DRIVE THEN TIPTRONIC AND SAW A 5 (5TH GEAR). I CALLED A COUPLE FRIENDS AND MECHANICS THEY SAID IT A FAIL SAFE. SO I WAITED AGAIN AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT TOOK A GOOD 10-15 SECONDS TO CRANK AND AFTER I REVERSED THE CAR WOULD DIE. I WAS ONLY TRYING TO GET HOME (1 MIKE DOWN THE ROAD) BECAUSE I DID NOT TRUST THIS CAR TO BRING ME ANYWHERE AT THIS POINT. AFTER A COUPLE START THEN SHUT DOWNS AND LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AND DRIVING IN ALL THE GEARS. I GOT ON THE BOULEVARD AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 20-30 AND THE CAR DIES ON ME. LUCKILY IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND THE WAS NO TRAFFIC. I RESTART THE CAR AND ITS RUNNING IN 5TH GEAR FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS AND THEN I SEE MY RPMS GOING UP AS SPEED GOING DOWN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGING AND I KNEW SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY WRONG AT THIS POINT. I PULL TO THE SIDE AND POP THE HOOD, THE WAS SO MUCH HEAT BUT THE CAR WAS NOT OVERHEATING. I CALL MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS LET IT SIT A BIT. 20 MINUTES LATER, CAR COOLED DOWN A BIT AND A RELIABLE FRIEND AND MECHANIC COME HELP ME PUSH THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT. WE LATER FIND OUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. FLUID WAS STILL RED, NOT BURNED BUT SOMETHING ELSE WAS GOING ON INSIDE. $2000+ LATER AND A REPLACEMENT TRANNY THE CAR IS UP BUT STILL DYING AT RANDOM TIMES, WON'T START. DIAGNOSIS CRANK AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO GOES STRAIGHT TO 5TH GEAR AND CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521012

165,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Structure

DURING MY RI STATE INSPECTION TODAY, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS COMPLETED ROTTED THROUGH. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT FIXING THAT. THE CAR IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD SO HAVING THAT MUCH ROT IS VERY UNUSUAL. WILL NISSAN REPAIR THIS DAMAGE OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF REPAIR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520741

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