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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
130,000 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Structure

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 ALTIMA. WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTED OUT/THROUGH. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND SEEN NUMEROUS ON-LINE BLOGS AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED TO NHTSA ON THE SAME ISSUE FOR NI…

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I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 ALTIMA. WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTED OUT/THROUGH. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND SEEN NUMEROUS ON-LINE BLOGS AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED TO NHTSA ON THE SAME ISSUE FOR NISSAN OWNERS. I DID PERSONALLY CONTACT NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FILED A CLAIM WITH THEM ON THIS MATTER. THEY VERY POLITELY TURNED ME DOWN ON ANY SUPPORT FOR THE STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND SAID THE CAR IS TOO OLD (7 YRS) AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. THE QUOTE TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS $1,100.00 THAT I DON'T HAVE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN TO NOT STAND BEHIND THIS STRUCTURAL ISSUE. I HOPE THE NHTSA CAN HELP ME IN THIS MATTER AND OTHER OWNERS FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490297

1,100 miles · Dec 19, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TERMINAL CABLES WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ECM BUT THE TECHNICIAN DISAGREED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

NHTSA ODI #10489287

149,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HIM THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ODI #10488804

75,000 miles · Dec 10, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THEY WERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THEY WERE UNSURE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10487866

100,000 miles · Nov 27, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS REFERRED TO A DEALER AND INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS REFERRED TO A DEALER AND INFORMED OF THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). A FEW WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT HER VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ UPDATED 2/4/2013*JS

NHTSA ODI #10486197

106,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Electrical System

I ALREADY WENT THOUGH P0420 ISSUE FEW YEARS BACK AND I GOT IT AGAIN. NISSAN DEALER CHARGED ME WHOLE LOTTA MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THE WARNING SIGN CAME BACK AGAIN. WENT TO LOCAL AUTO ZONE AND IT SHOW P0420 AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. I READ SO MANY ARTICLES ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT ALL ALTIMA HAS THIS ISSUE (CRANKSHAFT, O2 SENSOR, ETC…

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I ALREADY WENT THOUGH P0420 ISSUE FEW YEARS BACK AND I GOT IT AGAIN. NISSAN DEALER CHARGED ME WHOLE LOTTA MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THE WARNING SIGN CAME BACK AGAIN. WENT TO LOCAL AUTO ZONE AND IT SHOW P0420 AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. I READ SO MANY ARTICLES ONLINE AND IT TURNS OUT ALL ALTIMA HAS THIS ISSUE (CRANKSHAFT, O2 SENSOR, ETC.). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486142

18,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Structure

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARD IS BADLY RUSTED. I CANNOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION AND IT WILL COST ME SO MUCH MONEY TO FIX MY CAR JUST TO PASS THE INSPECTION. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND I SEE THAT MOST 2005 MODEL HAS THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. I WILL MOS…

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MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARD IS BADLY RUSTED. I CANNOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION AND IT WILL COST ME SO MUCH MONEY TO FIX MY CAR JUST TO PASS THE INSPECTION. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND I SEE THAT MOST 2005 MODEL HAS THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. I WILL MOST DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND THIS MAKE AND MODEL TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486127

66,000 miles · Nov 21, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ENGINE SHUT OFF, WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS THE MOST SCARY EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. THE SES LIGHT CAME ON ONLY AFTER LOOSING ALL CONTROL. I WAS TOLD AT THE SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ENGINE SHUT OFF, WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS THE MOST SCARY EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. THE SES LIGHT CAME ON ONLY AFTER LOOSING ALL CONTROL. I WAS TOLD AT THE SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SOME ALTIMAS AND THAT THEY HAD A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485449

75,000 miles · Nov 20, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND SHIFT OUT OF GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND SHIFT OUT OF GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10485252

88,000 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Power Train

CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN TO CREAK WHEN DEPRESSED AND WOULD BEGIN TO ENGAGE VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR WHEN CAR WAS DRIVEN IN TOWN AND REACHED NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FIRST FAILURE WAS SHORTLY AFTER THAT WHEN RETURNING FROM A FAMILY TRIP TO MISSOURI TO COLORADO. CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AND REMAINED THERE, PREVENTING A DOWNSHIFT …

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CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN TO CREAK WHEN DEPRESSED AND WOULD BEGIN TO ENGAGE VERY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR WHEN CAR WAS DRIVEN IN TOWN AND REACHED NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FIRST FAILURE WAS SHORTLY AFTER THAT WHEN RETURNING FROM A FAMILY TRIP TO MISSOURI TO COLORADO. CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO FLOOR AND REMAINED THERE, PREVENTING A DOWNSHIFT OR TO NEUTRAL. "FLOATED" THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND PULLED PEDAL BACK UP WITH MY FOOT. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME BY LIFTING THE PEDAL AFTER EVERY SHIFT. REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDERS, AND WELDING THE HOUSING OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL DUE TO (STRESS FRACTURES) RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT 11 MONTHS/15,000 MILES, WHEN THE ISSUE BEGAN AGAIN. AFTER A FEW MORE MONTHS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM; CLUTCH PLATE (NOT WORN OUT), CLUTCH COVER, FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY, MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER, PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND RUBBER HYDRAULIC LINE WERE REPLACED. THE SYSTEM WAS THOROUGHLY FLUSHED AND BLED FOR TRAPPED AIR. ISSUE WAS RESOLVED UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO (6 MONTHS AFTER REPLACING THE SYSTEM) WHEN THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. BLEEDING OF THE SYSTEM WAS AGAIN PERFORMED WITH NO CHANGE: PEDAL WILL FALL TO THE FLOOR AND STAY THERE IF HELD FOR 1-2 SECONDS. IF THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED ABOUT 1-2 INCHES AND HELP FOR A FEW SECONDS, IT WILL BEGIN TO PULL ITSELF TO THE FLOOR WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DRIVER AT ALL. I AM PLANNING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM ONCE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484987

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