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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
113,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V223000: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10336650

116,000 miles · Jun 15, 2010
Power Train

BEFORE I REPLACED MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE'S ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, INJECTORS, MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, AND CLUTCH, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH LOSING PRESSURE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO NISSAN I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I HAD IT REPLACED ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE SHORTLY AFTER WITH OTHER MAJOR ENGI…

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BEFORE I REPLACED MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE'S ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, INJECTORS, MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, AND CLUTCH, I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH LOSING PRESSURE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO NISSAN I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I HAD IT REPLACED ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE SHORTLY AFTER WITH OTHER MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS DUE TO A BLOWN MOTOR AT 100,000 MILES. NOW MY CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP AND AFTER TWO MONTHS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AMONG OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I LOST PRESSURE AGAIN YESTERDAY AND DROPPED MY CAR OFF THIS MORNING. THEY WANT $370.00 TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. AFTER READING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS, I FEEL THAT THEY ARE DEAD ON TRACK WITH THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME ITS HAPPENED TO ME EITHER. WHY HASN'T THIS ISSUE BEEN RESOLVED BY NISSAN, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A TREND. DO I HAVE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS? MAYBE IT WILL BE YOUR FAMILY WE CRASH INTO?!! CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW NEEDS TO CHANGE BECAUSE APPARENTLY VERY LITTLE IS BEING DONE WITH RECALLING DEFECTIVE AUTOMOTIVE PARTS. 3 TIME IRAQ WAR VETERAN! -USMC *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336349

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

NOVEMBER 14 2007653,910 VEHICLES RECALLED 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA -- 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. IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE…

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NOVEMBER 14 2007653,910 VEHICLES RECALLED 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA -- 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. 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. 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. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, SEE THE OFFICIAL NHTSA PAGE CONCERNING RECALL #07V527000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07E087000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS OCTOBER 25 20074,654 VEHICLES RECALLED 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA -- CERTAIN TYC HALOGEN TYPE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/N 20-6644-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PHOTOMETRIC WERE MISALIGNED WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. GENERA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GENERA AT 714-522-6688. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, SEE THE OFFICIAL NHTSA PAGE CONCERNING RECALL #07E087000 . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335129

40,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

2005 ALTIMA - WHEN MOVING FORWARD AFTER STOPPING, VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD. I MUST IMMEDIATELY TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE OCCURS ONLY IN LOW GEAR, AFTER A STOP, AND OCCURS 3 TO 4 TIMES A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10334326

45,000 miles · May 27, 2010
Power Train

1. NISSAN ALTIMA S 2005 MANUAL. WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 30 MIN WITH A/C WORKING. CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME VERY LIGHT AND THEN STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS LEFT ON A GEAR. HARDLY AVOIDED ACCIDENT BY BRAKING WITH WORKING ENGINE AND THEN SHUTTING DOWN WITH KEY. 2. IT OCCURS AGAIN WHEN THE CAR WAS LEFT IN HOT SUN AFT…

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1. NISSAN ALTIMA S 2005 MANUAL. WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 30 MIN WITH A/C WORKING. CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME VERY LIGHT AND THEN STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS LEFT ON A GEAR. HARDLY AVOIDED ACCIDENT BY BRAKING WITH WORKING ENGINE AND THEN SHUTTING DOWN WITH KEY. 2. IT OCCURS AGAIN WHEN THE CAR WAS LEFT IN HOT SUN AFTER DRIVING IN A TRAFFIC. 3. DID NOT DO ANYTHING YET. BUT WILL GO TO MECHANIC IF IT OCCURS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332551

109,000 miles · May 19, 2010
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND BLINKS WHILE DRIVING. ISSUE WAS SAID TO BE REPAIRED TWO TIMES NOW AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW I AM TOLD THAT A SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD. IT WILL COST ME $1600 TO REPAIR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. I SHOULD HAVE…

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THE AIR BAG LIGHT IN MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND BLINKS WHILE DRIVING. ISSUE WAS SAID TO BE REPAIRED TWO TIMES NOW AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW I AM TOLD THAT A SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD. IT WILL COST ME $1600 TO REPAIR. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY NOTHING DUE TO THE TIME THEY HAVE WASTED AND THEIR INABILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331238

36,400 miles · May 17, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 ALTIMA 2.5L - 36400 MILES. CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND VEHICLE DROPS SPEED SUDDENLY OR HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN HAVE A CRANK POSITION SENSOR RECALL ( 07V-527) BUT WILL NOT HONOR MY ISSUE DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER NOT FALLING IN RECALL CATEGORY. DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM EARLIER RECALL SERVICE OF ECM COMPUTER REPROGR…

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2005 ALTIMA 2.5L - 36400 MILES. CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND VEHICLE DROPS SPEED SUDDENLY OR HESITATES WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN HAVE A CRANK POSITION SENSOR RECALL ( 07V-527) BUT WILL NOT HONOR MY ISSUE DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER NOT FALLING IN RECALL CATEGORY. DEALER WILL NOT PERFORM EARLIER RECALL SERVICE OF ECM COMPUTER REPROGRAMMING WITHOUT REPLACING THE SENOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330767

89,500 miles · May 12, 2010
Structure

THE PAINT ON MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WHICH IS PEARL WHITE IS PEELING OFF ON EACH SIDE OF THE HOOD. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY 89,000 MILES AND NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME WITH THIS DEFECT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NHTSA ARE GREAT PEOPLE AND MAYBE THEY COULD HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330177

83,400 miles · May 10, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC, AND WONT START FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, DEFECTIVE PART, ECM, AND CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329549

82,000 miles · May 9, 2010
Structure

I HAVE BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE IN OCTOBER OF 2004. JUST YESTERDAY DURING MY OIL CHANGE I HAVE NOTICED A HOLE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND RUSTED AREA IN THE DIAMETER OF A FOOT OR SO. FLOORING RUSTED AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY RESULT OF NOT FORCED DAMAGE BUT DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE CAR FLOORING. I AM FINDING FO…

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I HAVE BOUGHT BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE IN OCTOBER OF 2004. JUST YESTERDAY DURING MY OIL CHANGE I HAVE NOTICED A HOLE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND RUSTED AREA IN THE DIAMETER OF A FOOT OR SO. FLOORING RUSTED AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY RESULT OF NOT FORCED DAMAGE BUT DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE CAR FLOORING. I AM FINDING FORUMS AND LOADS OF COMPLAINTS THAT RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED CAR'S FLOORING SIMPLY START TO RUST. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND I AM SURE DEALERSHIP WILL TURN ME AWAY AS THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY USUALLY DO NOT HAVE BODY SHOPS. WHO CAN HELP ME AS I SPENT ABOUT $33,000.00 FOR THIS CAR (LAST 6 YEARS OF PAYING IT OFF.... HELP!!?!? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329506

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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