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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.

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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

Air Bags complaints

47 reports
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87,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Air BagsCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA NORTH IN THE LEFT LANE OF A 2 LANE ROAD APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR). AN SUV WAS HEADING SOUTH AND WAS STOPPED IN THE TURN LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION (GREEN LIGHT) THE SUV TURNED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THE DISTANCE WAS TOO SHORT TO STOP…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA NORTH IN THE LEFT LANE OF A 2 LANE ROAD APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION (I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR). AN SUV WAS HEADING SOUTH AND WAS STOPPED IN THE TURN LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION (GREEN LIGHT) THE SUV TURNED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THE DISTANCE WAS TOO SHORT TO STOP. I HIT THEIR RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY THE TIRE HEAD ON. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 30 MPH. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS TO THE CENTER FRONT END. THE FRONT END WAS PUSHED IN AND THE HOOD BUCKLED. UPON IMPACT, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT MY DRIVER SIDE DIDN'T. I HAD A SMALL PURSE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE POLICE, TOW DRIVER, MECHANIC AND AUTO ASSESSOR ALL SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN WITH THE AIRBAGS. MY CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DAMAGE WAS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I WAS LUCKILY TO NOT BE INJURED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF THE IMPACT WAS MORE SEVERE, I HAD NO PROTECTION AND COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE ACCIDENT AND WHAT WAS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL AS A STATEMENT FROM THE AUTO REPAIR MECHANIC SAYING THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS SITUATION WHERE THE WRONG AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10417958

33,300 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

I FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN I COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT HIT MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE CRASH HAPPENED AT SUCH A HIGH IMPACT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING ME SEVERE BRUISING AND INJURY. THE CRASH W…

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I FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN I COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT HIT MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE CRASH HAPPENED AT SUCH A HIGH IMPACT THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING ME SEVERE BRUISING AND INJURY. THE CRASH WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT OUR INSURANCE DECLARED OUR VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN THIS CRASH, AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE INJURIES IN CASES LIKE THIS. MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MANY REASONS, BUT THE SAFETY FROM AIR BAGS WAS A PRIMARY REASON. THEY FAILED IN MY CASE, AND I AM CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED FAULTY AIR BAGS AS WELL FROM NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10393286

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

74,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Air Bags

AIRBAG SYSTEM ERROR LIGHT BLINKING. 2005 MODEL YEAR NISSAN ALTIMA AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT, AS RESEARCHED ON INTERNET. DEALERSHIP STATING CAR NOT PART OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL. INFORMATION FOLLOWS WITH WEBSITE LINK TO VOLUNTARY RECALL INFORMATION: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, MAXIMA; VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN AIR BAG WARNING LIGH…

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AIRBAG SYSTEM ERROR LIGHT BLINKING. 2005 MODEL YEAR NISSAN ALTIMA AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT, AS RESEARCHED ON INTERNET. DEALERSHIP STATING CAR NOT PART OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE RECALL. INFORMATION FOLLOWS WITH WEBSITE LINK TO VOLUNTARY RECALL INFORMATION: 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, MAXIMA; VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON SOME MODEL YEAR 2005 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT MAY FLASH EVEN THOUGH THE AIR BAG SYSTEMS IT MONITORS ARE OPERATING PROPERLY. TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION, NISSAN HAS INITIATED A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT CONTROL CIRCUIT WHICH IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. WEBSITE REFERENCE: HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/KNOWLEDGEBASE/LINKS/371. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316872

74,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH IN REVERSE. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $800. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH IN REVERSE. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $800. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10316867

98,000 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS REAR-ENDED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FORCE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR-END THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO THE MASSIVE IMPACT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS REAR-ENDED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FORCE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR-END THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO THE MASSIVE IMPACT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND SHOULDER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE OPPOSING DRIVERS. THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED REAR BODY DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10264808

12,000 miles · Mar 14, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEREBY TWO CARS SIDESWIPED EACH OTHER. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE, RIPPING THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR OFF, EXPLODING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND DAMAGING THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER CAR'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MINE DID NOT. FROM THE IMPACT MY SON HIT HIS HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW, LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND…

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MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEREBY TWO CARS SIDESWIPED EACH OTHER. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE, RIPPING THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR OFF, EXPLODING THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND DAMAGING THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THE OTHER CAR'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MINE DID NOT. FROM THE IMPACT MY SON HIT HIS HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW, LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH THEN HIT A TREE. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT IMPACT WITH THE TREE. THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS TO NISSAN AND A 6-WEEK RUN AROUND BY NISSANS AIR BAG DIVISION I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH DECELERATION FOR THE AIRBAGS TO GO OFF. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND I WAS AT THE SCENE. THE ACCIDENT WAS BAD. I WAS NEVER GIVEN ANY DETAILS JUST A SELF SERVING CONCLUSION FROM NISSAN AFTER A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME. I WAS ALSO GIVEN CONFLICTING INFORMATION AS TO WHEN AND WHERE THE CAR WOULD BE VIEWED. EXCUSES WERE MADE AS TO WHY THE OTHER VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS WENT OFF EVEN THOUGH NISSAN NEVER EXAMINED THE OTHER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261824

73,000 miles · Jun 20, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

MY WIFE WRECKED HER 2005 ALTIMA. THE CAR JUST ALL OF SUDDEN LEFT THE ROAD AND SHE COULDN'T CONTROL OR STOP IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231681

9,339 miles · Apr 29, 2008
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WAS ALSO NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,339.

NHTSA ODI #10226249

26,500 miles · Mar 22, 2007
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN ICE PATCH AND BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE IMPACT CAUSED THE FRONT SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO COMPLETELY RECLINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN ICE PATCH AND BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND THE IMPACT CAUSED THE FRONT SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO COMPLETELY RECLINE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 26500.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10185883

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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