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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
83,000 miles · May 9, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling

MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON, CALL STALLS, AND CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329445

42,800 miles · May 6, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SEAL HAD F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SEAL HAD FAILED. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,914.

NHTSA ODI #10329211

103,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, SHE SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT WILL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, SHE SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328819

100,000 miles · May 3, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE IN FRONT OF HIS RESIDENCE, WITH THE ENGINE ON, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY SIGNS OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE IN FRONT OF HIS RESIDENCE, WITH THE ENGINE ON, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY SIGNS OF AN OIL LEAK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328660

55,000 miles · May 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE SPEWED BACK OUT FROM THE FILLER TUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR OFTEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V269000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE) HOWEVER THE DEALER ADVISED HIS VIN WAS NOT I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE SPEWED BACK OUT FROM THE FILLER TUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR OFTEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V269000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE) HOWEVER THE DEALER ADVISED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT ONLY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PART NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328484

42,000 miles · May 2, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R, I PURCHASED THE CAR PRE-OWNED WITH 42K MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR JUST A MONTH THE CLUTCH WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO ANY GEARS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR AND ITS GOING TO BE 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR THIS SUMMER. MANY…

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I OWN A NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R, I PURCHASED THE CAR PRE-OWNED WITH 42K MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR JUST A MONTH THE CLUTCH WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO ANY GEARS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR AND ITS GOING TO BE 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR THIS SUMMER. MANY OF THE TIMES THE CLUTCH HAS LOST PRESSURE GOING OVER BRIDGES AND STOPPING TO PAY TOLLS AND DURING TRAFFIC. HOW CAN I OPERATE MY VEHICLE CORRECTLY IF THE CLUTCH KEEPS LOOSING PRESSURE BECAUSE THE MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER LOOSES PRESSURE. HOW SAFE IS THAT FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328425

87,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Visibility

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FRONT WINDOWS ROLL DOWN WHILE I AM AWAY FROM THE CAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENS, BUT I AM WORRIED MY CAR WILL GET STOLEN. IT HAS BEEN RAINING OFTEN AND THE WOOD GRAIN IS DAMAGED, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO CRIMINALS AND NATURES ELEMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326851

400 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM THE DESIRED GEAR SELECTION WITH MINIMAL FORCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM THE DESIRED GEAR SELECTION WITH MINIMAL FORCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10326577

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO MY CAR STARTED JERKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. SINCE ALL OF THIS HAS HAPPEN IT IS NOW STALLING WHEN TRYING TO CRANK UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326222

35 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE OWNED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THEN STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC SAID PROBLEM WAS WITH DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. WE COMMUNICATED THIS INFORMATION TO DEALERSHIP, WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS D…

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WE OWNED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THEN STOPPED RUNNING. VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC SAID PROBLEM WAS WITH DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. WE COMMUNICATED THIS INFORMATION TO DEALERSHIP, WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS RECALL, BUT THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CRANKSHAFT SENSORS WERE CHANGED. NEW PARTS WERE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE OLD ONES (TOTALLY NEW REDESIGN) CAR HAD ABOUT 60,000 MILES WHEN INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325241

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