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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
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2008
Wheels

ALL OF MY THE RIMS OF MY VEHICLE HAVE RUSTED. NORMALLY THIS HAPPENS, I WAS TOLD FROM ACCUMULATION OF SALT DO TO SNOW STORMS. WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT MANY SNOW STORM FOR THIS CONDITION. CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216157

42,000 miles · Jan 26, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED FOR HOURS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (ENGINE CODE P0335). THIS FAULTY PART HAS ALSO DISABLED THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE RENDERED IT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. THE DEALERSH…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S HAS LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED FOR HOURS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (ENGINE CODE P0335). THIS FAULTY PART HAS ALSO DISABLED THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY STREETS. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE RENDERED IT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS PERFORMED A "REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM" AS REQUIRED BY A RECALL NOTICE ISSUED ON DECEMBER 10, 2007. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION. THERE EXISTS A RECALL THAT REQUIRES DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS ON 2002 AND 2003 NISSAN ALTIMAS, BUT NOT FOR A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHICH APPARENTLY SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE IS LITTLE TO NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE MODEL YEAR VEHICLES AS FAR AS ENGINE COMPONENTS ARE CONCERNED. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL NOTICE SO THAT OWNERS OF 2005 MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE THEIR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS REPLACED TO PREVENT DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216139

68,000 miles · Jan 22, 2008
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONED. CAUSED THE CAR TO MAKE LOUD THUD AND BANG INTO GEAR BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ACCIDENT NEAR MISS, BUT NO ACTUAL WRECK. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AS ANY ONLINE FORUM ON THE ALTIMA REVEALS... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215666

41,365 miles · Jan 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF ON ME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO OF THE THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME, IT CUT OFF AS I PREPARED TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET A PROBLEM READING FROM THE COMPUTER. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GO AROUN…

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ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF ON ME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO OF THE THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME, IT CUT OFF AS I PREPARED TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GET A PROBLEM READING FROM THE COMPUTER. THE SECOND TIME, I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GO AROUND A CURVE IN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. IT SPUTTERED AND CUT OFF. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS BEHIND ME, AS IT WAS ONLY A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE CAR. THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL CAME OUT SHORTLY AFTER, HOWEVER MORRIS NISSAN REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CAR WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR THE REPAIR, AS THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT GOTTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM NISSAN YET ON THE RECALL AND COULD NOT DO IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE THIRD TIME WAS JUST TODAY AS, ONCE AGAIN, I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215293

38,000 miles · Jan 15, 2008
Suspension

THE ALTIMA'S STOCK OF FRONT STRUTS ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS SUBSTANTIATED BY A LOT OF NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214956

51,000 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED WHILE DRIVING, AND "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO ARRIVE HOME, HOWEVER I COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY INFORMED ME MY VEHICLE IS NO…

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MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA STALLED WHILE DRIVING, AND "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO ARRIVE HOME, HOWEVER I COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY INFORMED ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, SINCE MY PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214159

5,000 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Suspension

THE QUALITY OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE 2005 ALTIMA IS POOR. THE BACK END OF THE CAR SAGS A LOT WITH ONLY ONE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I HAVE MORE THEN ONE PASSENGER IN THE REAR, THE EXHAUST BANGS ON THE PAVEMENT WHEN PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOTS. I'VE NOTICED THIS ON ALL 2005 ALTIMAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214019

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH DECELERATION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE FROM WHAT EVER SPEED TO ABOUT 20 MPH. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING BRING IT IN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE CHAMBER WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL INJECTION SERVICED, HOWEVER LAT…

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2005 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH DECELERATION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WILL DECELERATE FROM WHAT EVER SPEED TO ABOUT 20 MPH. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER KEEPS SAYING BRING IT IN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE CHAMBER WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL INJECTION SERVICED, HOWEVER LATER IN THE MONTH, THE PROBLEM RE-SURFACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ALWAYS SEEMED TO RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AGAIN. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON DECEMBER 7TH AND 15TH. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10213918

59,120 miles · Jan 3, 2008
Electrical System

I PURCHASED MY 2005 ALTIMA BRAND NEW AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWICE. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST PASSED THE 36,000 MILE MARK (LESS THEN TWO YEARS) SO I WAS STUCK PAYING OUT OF MY POCKET. THE SECOND INCIDENT JUST HAPPENED IN DEC. 17, 2007 WHERE THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (…

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I PURCHASED MY 2005 ALTIMA BRAND NEW AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWICE. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST PASSED THE 36,000 MILE MARK (LESS THEN TWO YEARS) SO I WAS STUCK PAYING OUT OF MY POCKET. THE SECOND INCIDENT JUST HAPPENED IN DEC. 17, 2007 WHERE THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (POSSIBLE CAUSE: CRANKSHAFT SENSOR), AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT START WHILE AT THE INTERSECTION. A QUICK JUMP START GOT ME UP AND RUNNING, BUT THE BATTERY TESTED BAD AT THE LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213555

31,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT DURING, BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH OCC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. HE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT DURING, BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER HAD BACK INJURIES IN THREE PLACES. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. THE POLICE REPORT INDICATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE DRIVER ATTEMPTING TO STOP FOR TWO HUNDRED FEET. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE COMPUTER AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #10213925

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