← New search

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

259 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Jun 12, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and the…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and while at a complete stop at the red traffic light. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the crankshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11666604

210,000 miles · Jul 23, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and felt a…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and felt as if the vehicle was going to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed crank shaft sensor. The contact was informed that the crank shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.

NHTSA ODI #11604007

173,591 miles · Aug 14, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle overheated and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived to inspect the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine needed …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle overheated and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived to inspect the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, neither the VIN nor the model year was included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,591.

NHTSA ODI #11538331

160,000 miles · Oct 3, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the vehicle would have a hesitation sensation and or jerking sensation when the vehicle is started and or running. The check engine light was illuminated The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the cam shaft/crank shaft position sensor…

Read full complaint

The contact owns 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the vehicle would have a hesitation sensation and or jerking sensation when the vehicle is started and or running. The check engine light was illuminated The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the cam shaft/crank shaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. A sensor was replaced on the vehicle before however the failure persisted. The vehicle had now failed to start and had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that although their failure related their VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number:07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure was 160,000. The contact stated that the crank sensor and wire set was recently replaced.

NHTSA ODI #11487579

180,000 miles · Jul 8, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the vehicle would hesitate while driving at highway speeds. The contact stated that the failures occurred without warning. Neither the dealer nor the …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the vehicle would hesitate while driving at highway speeds. The contact stated that the failures occurred without warning. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11472982

229,000 miles · Dec 15, 2021
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 66 MPH, the temperature gauge started increasing as the vehicle started to shake. The contact stated that the dashboard was making an abnormal sound. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle for 20 minutes, and waited for the engine to c…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 66 MPH, the temperature gauge started increasing as the vehicle started to shake. The contact stated that the dashboard was making an abnormal sound. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle for 20 minutes, and waited for the engine to cool down. The vehicle was restarted, the contact was able to drive the vehicle however, the temperature gauge was fluctuating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was diagnosed with radiator failure. The radiator was replaced. The contact stated several days the failure with the temperature gauge reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed as cooling sensor and ignition coil failure. The ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact stated that she then took the vehicle to Auto Zone where a diagnostic reader stated that the failure was the catalyst sensor needed replacement. The contact found NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and contacted the local Nissan dealer to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 229,000.

NHTSA ODI #11443910

49,875 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainStructure

1. PRECAT FAILURE WHICH LED TO NEEDING OF A COMPLETE LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT. @ 49875 MILES 2. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAUSED PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF MANUAL TRANSMISSION.@ 94571 MILES 3. PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED THRU!!!! @ 100000 MILES, THIS CUTS THE CAKE! CAR IS JUNK!

NHTSA ODI #10706729

72,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS RUSTED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE RUST SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS, LIKE THE FRAME AND A HOLE DEVELOPED …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS RUSTED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE RUST SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS, LIKE THE FRAME AND A HOLE DEVELOPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10703921

76,000 miles · Feb 28, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED SOMEONE ELSE LEMON! EXTREME USE OF OIL WITH NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS. I HAVE TO ADD OIL AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. NO ONE CAN FIND AN OIL LEAK. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND 1000'S OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. IT IS A KNOWN NISSAN PROBLEM THAT THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691240

44,500 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CAM SHAFT POS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND THE VIAS SWIRL CONTROL VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING).THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,500.

NHTSA ODI #10690939

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