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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

259 reports
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36,000 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AFTERWARDS. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,500 AND FAILURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AFTERWARDS. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/15/08 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10233049

66,784 miles · Jul 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL LETTER FROM NISSAN ABOUT MY COMPUTER CHIP, MY CAR WOULD DIE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING, IT WAS HARD TO START IT, AND I KEPT HAVING THIS CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PROBLEM I HAD TO REPLACED IT TWICE ALREADY, I FINALLY GOT MY COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED TODAY JULY 1ST 2008.. CAME BACK HOME AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY.. AND…

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BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL LETTER FROM NISSAN ABOUT MY COMPUTER CHIP, MY CAR WOULD DIE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING, IT WAS HARD TO START IT, AND I KEPT HAVING THIS CRANKSHAFT SENSOR PROBLEM I HAD TO REPLACED IT TWICE ALREADY, I FINALLY GOT MY COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED TODAY JULY 1ST 2008.. CAME BACK HOME AND THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY.. AND WHAT DO I KNOW IT COMES ON AGAIN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT... TOOK IT TO THE AUTO SHOP SAID IT WAS MY CRANKSHAFT AGAIN...I HAD TO REPLACE 2 CRANKSHAFTS ON THE SAME WEEK.. AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN... I WAS READING PEOPLE'S FORUMS ABOUT HOW THEY WERE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS BEFORE AND AFTER THE RECALL REPROGRAMMING.... WE'RE ALL HAVE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT SENSOR PROBLEMS... BUT NISSAN IS GOING TO CHARGE US ALOT OF MONEY TO GET IT REPLACED... I HEARD IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE 2002 SO WHY HASN'T IT GOTTEN FIXED? WE SHOULDN'T BE PAYING FOR ANOTHER DEFECT THAT IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE WANTS TO ADMIT TO OR EVEN TAKE A LOOK INTO IT AT LEAST....ANYWAYS DOES IT NEED TO TAKE A PERSON TO DIE OR TO BE INJURED IN ORDER FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED..... THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.... THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232973

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA IN 2006, AND IN 2007 I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE CAR JUST STOPPING WHEN I WAS DRIVING, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, THANK GOD I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SERIOUS INJURIES BECAUSE OF THIS. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING DEALING WITH MY ENGINE COMPUTER RESULTING IN CIRC…

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

NHTSA ODI #10232568

28,000 miles · Jun 23, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AND THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE SHUT OFF PRIOR TO IMPACT. REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 14TH. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JUNE 18 CONCERNING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND THE VEHICLE C…

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MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING AND THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE SHUT OFF PRIOR TO IMPACT. REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 14TH. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON JUNE 18 CONCERNING THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND THE VEHICLE COULD SHUT OFF AND THIS CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED AND BECAUSE I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL THE INSURANCE PAYOFF DOES NOT EVEN COVER THE LOAN. I FEEL THAT NISSAN WAS NEGLIGENT BECAUSE THEY SENT THIS RECALL 7 MONTHS TOO LATE. I AM CURRENTLY WITHOUT A VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232001

50,421 miles · Jun 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON MY VEHICLE ON MONDAY SO I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT, AT WHICH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $99 TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. ON WEDNESDAY, I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A RECALL NOTICE ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE ENGINE. ON THURSDAY I CONTACTED THE DEALER AN…

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THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON MY VEHICLE ON MONDAY SO I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT, AT WHICH TIME THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $99 TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. ON WEDNESDAY, I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL A RECALL NOTICE ON THE VEHICLE THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE ENGINE. ON THURSDAY I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR $99 FIRST AND THEN DO THE RECALL INSPECTION BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS THAT SINCE THE RECALL IS FREE, THEY SHOULD DO THAT FIRST AND THEN PERHAPS THAT ACTUALLY IS THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL, HAVING TO DO WITH THE ENGINE, MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT TURNING ON. I LIKE HAVING MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT, BUT FEEL THEY ARE NOT BEING FORTHRIGHT ABOUT THE RECALL SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231613

150 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE ENGINE FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THE CONTACT HEARD SOMETHING POP WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE ENGINE FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME, THE CONTACT HEARD SOMETHING POP WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE NEEDED ANOTHER ENGINE BLOCK. SHE HAD IT REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL BEGAN TO PULL AND HESITATE AS IF IT WOULD LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE HAS YET TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,866 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150.

NHTSA ODI #10231494

53,000 miles · Jun 16, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE, AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN TURNED SLIGHTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND KNEE INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED INTO THE OTHER LANE, AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN TURNED SLIGHTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND KNEE INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. SHE JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) IN THE MAIL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10231131

52,499 miles · Jun 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) ON APRIL 1, 2007. ONE WEEK LATER, AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER ACCUMULATED OVER 5,000 MILES IN ONE WEEK, …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) ON APRIL 1, 2007. ONE WEEK LATER, AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER ACCUMULATED OVER 5,000 MILES IN ONE WEEK, IN WHICH HE DID NOT GENERATE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $100 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,499 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230816

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, HE LEARNED THAT THEY HAD BEEN BOUGHT OUT BY ANOTHER DEALER. HE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD PERFORM…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, HE LEARNED THAT THEY HAD BEEN BOUGHT OUT BY ANOTHER DEALER. HE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10230151

52,000 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, AND, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL FAILURES AS LISTED IN THE RECALL, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, AND, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL FAILURES AS LISTED IN THE RECALL, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN JULY OF 2008, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SERVICED. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230150

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