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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
49,800 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE WAS A RECALL R0712. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR GOING OUT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND READING ERROR CODE P0335 IS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH R0712 REPROGRAMMING. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY STATED IT WOULD COST ME $200.00 TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255237

30,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT FULLY OPEN WITH THE AUTOMATIC LOCK BUTTON. THIS FORCES YOU TO ENTER THE CAR FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND OPERATE THE DOOR LOCK MANUALLY. BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A KEY LOCK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255131

55,431 miles · Jan 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TWO DAYS LATER, IT WOULD NOT START. REPLACED A BATTERY BUT STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD TO TAKE TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE CRANK SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255100

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10253597

72,000 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR UNTIL THIS RECALL WAS REPAIRED - NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07V527000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - 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…

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I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR UNTIL THIS RECALL WAS REPAIRED - NHTSA CAMPAIGN #07V527000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - 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. MY CAR WAS PART OF THIS RECALL. SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING WAS COMPLETED MY CAR STARTED HAVING SLOW ACCELERATION AND JERKS WHILE ENGINE TRIES TO UPSHIFT. IT BEGAN TO NOT CRANK AT ALL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY WOULD. THIS HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AND I NEVER KNOW IF MY CAR WILL START. NISSAN COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS SINCE MY ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T ON. THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED TO THE ENGINE CUTTING OFF BY ITSELF AND JUST NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS TOMORROW BUT CAN SEE THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THESE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. NISSAN NEEDS TO REPLACE THE ECM INSTEAD OF REPROGRAMMING SINCE IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM FEARFUL THAT AN ACCIDENT WILL RESULT FROM THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252876

103,000 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF. ON AUGUST 1, 2008, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHUT OFF. ON AUGUST 1, 2008, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC AND WAS REAR ENDED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND THREE PASSENGERS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CRASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT INVESTIGATE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000. UPDATED 03/24/09.*LJ UPDATED 03/24/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10252004

38,000 miles · Dec 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY AND THEN CONSISTENT WITH EVERY TIME MY CAR WAS STARTED. THE CAUSE WAS A RESULT OF THE CRANK SENSOR, WHICH WAS RECALLED BY NISSAN, WHICH INCLUDED MY 2005 ALTIMA. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD MY MODEL WAS NOT RECALLED, HOWEVER, IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM …

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THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY AND THEN CONSISTENT WITH EVERY TIME MY CAR WAS STARTED. THE CAUSE WAS A RESULT OF THE CRANK SENSOR, WHICH WAS RECALLED BY NISSAN, WHICH INCLUDED MY 2005 ALTIMA. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD MY MODEL WAS NOT RECALLED, HOWEVER, IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AND MODEL AS THE CARS THAT WERE RECALLED BY NISSAN NORTH AMERICA,INC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250374

50,000 miles · Nov 29, 2008
Electrical System

I HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER MODEL FOR SOME REASON IT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN I A READY SPOKE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND MADE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY WILL FIND PROBLEM BUT NO EXPLANATIONS WAS GIVING TO ME ABOUT THIS ELECTRICAL PR…

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I HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT A ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SER MODEL FOR SOME REASON IT KEEPS BREAKING DOWN I A READY SPOKE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND MADE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY WILL FIND PROBLEM BUT NO EXPLANATIONS WAS GIVING TO ME ABOUT THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250164

74,000 miles · Nov 26, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008, IN WHICH THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWN A HILL. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008, IN WHICH THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $250 TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAD LITTLE TO DO WITH THE RECALL. HE CHOSE NOT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, HE PAID $80 TO GET HIS VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,157 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10249960

74,000 miles · Nov 21, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE RESTAR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR IMMEDIATELY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR DEFECT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,400.

NHTSA ODI #10249493

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