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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
148,990 miles · Jun 2, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN. I RELY ON MY CAR DAILY TO GET TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. THE CAR STALLS IN PARK ALL LIGHTS START BLINKING THEN DIES. HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AS WELL THE CAR WILL MOVE BUT YOU CANT ACCELERATE ON THE PEDAL THIS HAPPENED IN A TRAFFIC CIRCLE MY FIANCE AND TWO FRIENDS WERE WITH ME AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGE…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN. I RELY ON MY CAR DAILY TO GET TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. THE CAR STALLS IN PARK ALL LIGHTS START BLINKING THEN DIES. HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AS WELL THE CAR WILL MOVE BUT YOU CANT ACCELERATE ON THE PEDAL THIS HAPPENED IN A TRAFFIC CIRCLE MY FIANCE AND TWO FRIENDS WERE WITH ME AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I COULD GET INTO A BAD ACCIDENT AND DIE OR EVEN KILL MY PASSENGERS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC RESET MY ECM BUT THIS KEEPS HAPPENING I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON MY OWN AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK. I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE V6 FOUR DOOR SEDAN AND I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE I WAS HOPING MY EXPERIENCE WOULD BE AWESOME IVE ALWAYS LIKED THE CARS NOW HONESTLY IM SCARED TO DRIVE IN IT AND WONT RECCOMEND ANYONE GETTING ONE. I HAVENT HAD ANY ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. ME HAVING THIS CAR IS REQUIRED MEDICALLY. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY STAYED ON FOR A MONTH THEN JUST SHUT OFF SO NOW I HAVE NO CLUE WHATS GOING ON WITH MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11099276

99,000 miles · May 28, 2018
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY, WHEN I ASKED DEALER TO LOOK AT THIS, WHILE IN FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT, HE STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TAKE APART THE DASH TO SEE WHY LIGHT STAYED ON. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE CONCERNED WITH THIS, THAT IT MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE?11

NHTSA ODI #11098337

168,199 miles · May 24, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART WITH THE FUEL GAGE SHOWING 1/4 TANK. IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL LINE REQUIRING CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP. MULTISERVICE EAGLE TIRE REPLACED MULTIPLE FUEL PUMPS WITH NO SUCCESS. THE LO…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND WILL NOT RESTART WITH THE FUEL GAGE SHOWING 1/4 TANK. IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL LINE REQUIRING CLEANING AND REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP. MULTISERVICE EAGLE TIRE REPLACED MULTIPLE FUEL PUMPS WITH NO SUCCESS. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE SHOP EXPRESSED NO RESOLUTION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. MULTI SERVICE EAGLE TIRE REMOVED PUMP TO CHECK FOR BENT FLOAT ARM AND EVERYTHING LOOKED OKAY. WHEN TESTING RESISTANCE OF FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WEIRD READING AT BOTTOM END OF SPECTRUM AND IN THE MIDDLE SAW A HIGH RESISTANCE READING. POSSIBLE SENDING UNIT AND/OR GAUGE CLUSTER CONCERN. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN FILLING TANK THE FUEL GAGE REFLECTS 440 MILES AVAILABLE; THIS READING IS USUALLY 330. AFTER USING ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES, REPAIR SHOP RETURNED VEHICLE TO CUSTOMER WITHOUT REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF DRIVER AND OTHER VEHICLES IF THIS EVENT HAPPENS AGAIN. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS SHARED BY THREE TEENAGERS AND TWO ADULTS. I'M CONCERNED AN ACCIDENT IS INEVITABLE DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC PERIODS.

NHTSA ODI #11097795

37,873 miles · May 7, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDDLETOWN NISSAN (1153 NEWFIELD ST, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457, (860) 632-6550) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDDLETOWN NISSAN (1153 NEWFIELD ST, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457, (860) 632-6550) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,873.

NHTSA ODI #11092225

107,800 miles · May 2, 2018
Unknown Or Other

OVER TWO MONTHS AGO MY GRANDSON OPENED THE OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF IN HIS HAND. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY SON CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND SAID THERE WHERE NO RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH HE FOUND THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS. HE ALSO FOUND THE PRICES FOR FIXING WITH A DE…

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OVER TWO MONTHS AGO MY GRANDSON OPENED THE OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF IN HIS HAND. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY SON CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND SAID THERE WHERE NO RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH HE FOUND THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS. HE ALSO FOUND THE PRICES FOR FIXING WITH A DEALER OR OTHER MECHANIC. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE HANDLE BEING FIXED, IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND PASSED OUT NO ONE COULD OPEN THE DOOR IN A TIMELY MANNER TO REMOVE ME OR OTHERS (IF IT WAS A PASSENGER DOOR) FROM THE VEHICLE. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND FILED A CASE A DAY OR SO LATER. I RECEIVED A CALL WITHIN A DAY OR TWO AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND MY CONCERNS BUT I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS TOO MANY MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TOO MANY MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. I EXPLAINED PROBLEM AND THE SAFETY CONCERNS BUT NOTHING MADE A DIFFERENCE. I TOLD THE FIRST AGENT WHO INITIALLY TOOK MY CASE, WHEN ASKED WHAT NISSAN COULD DO FOR ME, I SAID GIVE ME A DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED AN EMAIL SURVEY FROM NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND AGAIN EXPRESSED MY CONCERN REGARDING SAFETY AND ALSO THE CONCERNS I RECENTLY HAD REGARDING THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP I HAD BEEN DEALING WITH SINCE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW FROM THIS PARTICULAR DEALER. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY MORE FROM NISSAN HEADQUARTERS IN MORE THAN A MONTH. MY SON DID GLUE THE HANDLE BACK FOR ME, BUT JUST RECENTLY IT CAME OFF AGAIN. I MAY NEED TO HAVE IT PROFESSIONALLY REPAIRED. IN ORDER TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE, I MUST UNLOCK IT WITH THE REMOTE (I THINK THAT IS WHAT IT IS CALLED) AND LET THE WINDOW DOWN AND REACH IN TO OPEN THE DOOR. AFTER HOLDING THE DOOR HANDLE IN MY HAND, I BELIEVE IT IS JUST MADE OF PLASTIC.

NHTSA ODI #11091410

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2018
Engine

BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH TIMING CHAIN. RECENTLY REPLACED IT 2/6/2013 AND I WAS JUST TOLD THAT IT WENT OUT AGAIN. VERY FRUSTRATING CAUSE IT'S NOT CHEAP TO FIX

NHTSA ODI #11078930

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2018
Structure

FRONT FLOORBOARDS RUSTED THROUGH

NHTSA ODI #11075136

57,000 miles · Feb 2, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SAME FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER (NISSAN OF STO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SAME FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER (NISSAN OF STOCKTON, 3077 E HAMMER LN, STOCKTON, CA 95212) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 29720363. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11066663

116,000 miles · Jan 26, 2018
Structure

THE FLOOR PANEL ON THE FRONT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE GOT RUST AND GROWING A HOLE.

NHTSA ODI #11065357

147,000 miles · Jan 23, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE TWICE MORE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. BURDICK NISSAN IN CICERO, NEW YORK WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR WITH AN OEM CRANK SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #11064466

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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