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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

Structure complaints

351 reports
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94,884 miles · Apr 2, 2013
Structure

I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. I TOOK MY CAR TO GET INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO RUST AND ROTTING UNDER THE CAR. NISSAN, DOES NOT REPAIR THIS. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OF INDIVIDUALS ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MODELS FROM 02 - 06. ALL OF JAPANESE CARS WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR FROM 05 BRAND NE…

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I HAVE NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. I TOOK MY CAR TO GET INSPECTED AND IT FAILED DUE TO RUST AND ROTTING UNDER THE CAR. NISSAN, DOES NOT REPAIR THIS. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OF INDIVIDUALS ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MODELS FROM 02 - 06. ALL OF JAPANESE CARS WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR FROM 05 BRAND NEW, I'M THE ONLY OWNER WITH NO ACCIDENTS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD DO A RECALL ON ALL CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THEY CHARGE YOU ALL THIS MONEY FOR CARS, THEY KNOW SOON WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY DON'T PROTECT THE CAR WITH THE UNDER COATING. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON NISSAN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505380

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2013
Structure

WENT TO GET MY FIRST INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AND IT FAILED AND I COULD NOT GET STICKER. IT FAILED BECAUSE I HAVE LARGE RUST HOLES ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR PANS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CARPET IS EXPOSED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK AS MY FOOT COULD GO THROUGH IT …

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WENT TO GET MY FIRST INSPECTION AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR AND IT FAILED AND I COULD NOT GET STICKER. IT FAILED BECAUSE I HAVE LARGE RUST HOLES ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR PANS. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE CARPET IS EXPOSED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY RISK AS MY FOOT COULD GO THROUGH IT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504317

173,703 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Structure

VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR AT LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP FOR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACEMENT. DURING REPAIR, MECHANIC HAD VEHICLE UP ON LIFT AND NOTED SEVERE RUST TO THE FLOORBOARD AREA OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. RUST DAMAGE IS SO SEVERE IT IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY COMPLETELY THROUGH. UPON MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION …

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VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR AT LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP FOR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACEMENT. DURING REPAIR, MECHANIC HAD VEHICLE UP ON LIFT AND NOTED SEVERE RUST TO THE FLOORBOARD AREA OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. RUST DAMAGE IS SO SEVERE IT IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY COMPLETELY THROUGH. UPON MY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION VIA THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS NOTING THE SAME SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE SAME LOCATION (FLOORBOARD) OF THEIR NISSAN ALTIMAS AS WELL. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10504025

122,000 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Structure

I JUST DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS OF BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE IN THE BOTTOM IS FULLY RUSTED. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 2005 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503227

86,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Structure

I HAD DISCOVERED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ALTIMA RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW THE AUTO WAS DISCOVER TO HAVE A WATER LEAK SOAKING THE CARPETING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. NISSAN (DEALER) HAD INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BUT EVIDENTLY HA…

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I HAD DISCOVERED THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ALTIMA RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED NEW THE AUTO WAS DISCOVER TO HAVE A WATER LEAK SOAKING THE CARPETING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. NISSAN (DEALER) HAD INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK BUT EVIDENTLY HAD NOT WITH THE FLOOR RUSTING THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS STATED. IT SEEMS AFTER LOOKING ON LINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF THE 2005 ALTIMA WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10501701

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2013
EngineSteeringStructure

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2008 AND HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, FIRST HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS GOING OUT ($400) THAN HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS, STRUTS, INNER/OUTER TIE RODS, I HAVE NO HEAT WHEN AT IDLE, WHILE PUTTING NEW TIRES ON AGAIN, I ALSO LEARNED MY FLOOR BOARDS …

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2008 AND HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, FIRST HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS GOING OUT ($400) THAN HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS, STRUTS, INNER/OUTER TIE RODS, I HAVE NO HEAT WHEN AT IDLE, WHILE PUTTING NEW TIRES ON AGAIN, I ALSO LEARNED MY FLOOR BOARDS ARE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, AND NOW I CAN NOT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO IT STARTED SUCKING DOWN OIL ( 4 QTS WITHIN A 3-6 HOUR TIME FRAME) AND IT'S SMOKING BAD OUT THE TAIL PIPE BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET/PISTON RINGS CAUSED BY A FAULTY PRE-CAT, AND TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2.5L ENGINE FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ON A 2006 MODEL, WHAT ABOUT MY 2005 MODEL WITH SAME ENGINE?? SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FIND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUES IN 2002-2006 ALTIMA'S, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497585

130,000 miles · Dec 28, 2012
Structure

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 ALTIMA. WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTED OUT/THROUGH. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND SEEN NUMEROUS ON-LINE BLOGS AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED TO NHTSA ON THE SAME ISSUE FOR NI…

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I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 ALTIMA. WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTED OUT/THROUGH. THIS CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND SEEN NUMEROUS ON-LINE BLOGS AND FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED TO NHTSA ON THE SAME ISSUE FOR NISSAN OWNERS. I DID PERSONALLY CONTACT NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND FILED A CLAIM WITH THEM ON THIS MATTER. THEY VERY POLITELY TURNED ME DOWN ON ANY SUPPORT FOR THE STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND SAID THE CAR IS TOO OLD (7 YRS) AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. THE QUOTE TO FIX THIS ISSUE IS $1,100.00 THAT I DON'T HAVE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN TO NOT STAND BEHIND THIS STRUCTURAL ISSUE. I HOPE THE NHTSA CAN HELP ME IN THIS MATTER AND OTHER OWNERS FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490297

18,000 miles · Nov 26, 2012
Structure

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARD IS BADLY RUSTED. I CANNOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION AND IT WILL COST ME SO MUCH MONEY TO FIX MY CAR JUST TO PASS THE INSPECTION. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND I SEE THAT MOST 2005 MODEL HAS THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. I WILL MOS…

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MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA FLOOR BOARD IS BADLY RUSTED. I CANNOT PASS THE STATE INSPECTION AND IT WILL COST ME SO MUCH MONEY TO FIX MY CAR JUST TO PASS THE INSPECTION. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND I SEE THAT MOST 2005 MODEL HAS THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. I WILL MOST DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND THIS MAKE AND MODEL TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486127

64,000 miles · Nov 14, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT HER PANTS HAD BECOME WET. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT HER PANTS HAD BECOME WET. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CORROSION WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE CORROSION FAILURE WAS TO BE EXPECTED BECAUSE SHE RESIDED IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10484664

106,201 miles · Oct 31, 2012
Structure

SEVERE RUSTING ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS THAT IS RESULTING IN WEAKENED FRAME AND STRUCTURE. NEED HELP GETTING NISSAN TO FIX THIS KNOW ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482732

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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