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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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Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2012
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SL AND TOOK MY CAR INTO CONICELLI NISSAN BACK IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR FOR AN ORDER CHANGE AND SOMETHING ELSE MINOR. CONICELLI NISSAN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE FLOOR PAN WAS RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE BODY SHOP OF CONICELLI WHICH I DID AND THEY IN TURN TOLD …

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA SL AND TOOK MY CAR INTO CONICELLI NISSAN BACK IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR FOR AN ORDER CHANGE AND SOMETHING ELSE MINOR. CONICELLI NISSAN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE FLOOR PAN WAS RUSTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT THE BODY SHOP OF CONICELLI WHICH I DID AND THEY IN TURN TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN NOT DO THE REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE RUST AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABILITY FOR IT AND PERHAPS RISK A LAW SUIT FURTHER DOWN THE LINE. MY COMPLAINT IS THE CAR IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS AND THEY ARE AMAZED THAT THE FLOOR PAN HAS RUSTED ALREADY BEING THAT THE CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THIS SEAMS LIKE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN CARS AND IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AND THE CUSTOMERS WANT ANSWERS NOW. IT WILL COST ME AT LEAST $1,000 TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF AND I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I NEED SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ONGOING ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455511

111,000 miles · Mar 31, 2012
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE UNDERBODY RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10453638

100,148 miles · Feb 28, 2012
Structure

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I JUST TOOK IN FOR A FRONT END CHECK AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, I CAN ACTUAL TOUCH THE CARPETING THROUGH THIS LARGE HOLE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS, THE CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMM…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I JUST TOOK IN FOR A FRONT END CHECK AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, I CAN ACTUAL TOUCH THE CARPETING THROUGH THIS LARGE HOLE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS, THE CAR IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT, WHY ISN'T NISSAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? HOW MANY COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS? OBVIOUSLY THIS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449603

95,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE AC LINE THAT WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 03.05.12

NHTSA ODI #10447966

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2012
StructureSuspension

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JANUARY OF 2006 USED WITH ABOUT 3,800 MILES. I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIME TO NISSAN DEALER FOR MY 15,000 MILE SERVICE AND ALSO THEY REPLACE MY SUSPENSION ON A RECALL. I DISCOVERED TODAY THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, I MEAN IF IT WASN'T FOR THE INTERIOR CARPET I COULD PU…

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I PURCHASED MY CAR IN JANUARY OF 2006 USED WITH ABOUT 3,800 MILES. I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIME TO NISSAN DEALER FOR MY 15,000 MILE SERVICE AND ALSO THEY REPLACE MY SUSPENSION ON A RECALL. I DISCOVERED TODAY THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, I MEAN IF IT WASN'T FOR THE INTERIOR CARPET I COULD PUT MY WHOLE ARM DOWN IN THE HOLE. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND IT SEEM TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MODEL AND YEAR. NISSAN HAS LIFTED MY CAR NUMEROUS TIME AND HAS NOT ONCE MENTIONED SEEING RUST, WHICH AT THIS POINT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS COULD'VE BEEN FIXED AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY MONTHS AGO. I WAS MY CAR ALL THE TIME AND EVEN IN WINTER, I UNDERSTAND THAT RUST IS NATURAL ON A CAR, BUT WHEN YOU SEE THAT THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN OFTEN ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. EITHER EXTEND THE WARRANTY OUT FURTHER OR RECALL. MY CAR IS NO EVEN THAT OLD AND THIS IS UPSETTING THAT I GOING TO SHELL OUT SOME MAJOR BUCKS TO GET THIS FIXED PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447285

103,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT IN PLACE WAS THE CARPET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FLOOR PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR PANEL WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT IN PLACE WAS THE CARPET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FLOOR PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445978

62,000 miles · Jan 1, 2012
Structure

CAR PURCHASED NEW ,05 ALTIMA SER 3.5, $30,000 PRICE TAG. NOTICED RUST AT APPROX 3/11, TOOK TO DEALER THEY CLAIMED NEVER HAVING SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE TOLD ME TO CONTACT NISSAN CORP AND FILE COMPLAINT, I DID ( FILE #[XXX]) DEALERSHIP ALSO TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO NISSAN. " [XXX]" NISSAN REGIONAL SPECIALIST ( EX: # 457…

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CAR PURCHASED NEW ,05 ALTIMA SER 3.5, $30,000 PRICE TAG. NOTICED RUST AT APPROX 3/11, TOOK TO DEALER THEY CLAIMED NEVER HAVING SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE TOLD ME TO CONTACT NISSAN CORP AND FILE COMPLAINT, I DID ( FILE #[XXX]) DEALERSHIP ALSO TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO NISSAN. " [XXX]" NISSAN REGIONAL SPECIALIST ( EX: # 457225) STATED IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM "RUST HAPPENS". RUST IN FLOORBOARDS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS NOW 67,000 MILES AND NOW CARRIES MY NEW BORN SON, BORN 5/09/11. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING ADDRESSED, WHERE'S IS THE GOVERNMENTS PROTECTION OF MY FAMILY AND I ? THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE AND IN BLOGS. WHAT ARE U WAITING FOR? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442013

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2011
Structure

WHAT ONCE WAS TWO DECENT SIZED RUST AREAS ON THE FLOORBOARD OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS NOW TWO GAPING HOLES IN WHICH YOU CAN SEE AND PUT YOUR HAND STRAIGHT THROUGH AND TOUCH THE GROUND OUTSIDE IF IT WASN'T FOR THE CARPET. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT TO ME. THE IT ALL MADE SENSE BEC…

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WHAT ONCE WAS TWO DECENT SIZED RUST AREAS ON THE FLOORBOARD OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS NOW TWO GAPING HOLES IN WHICH YOU CAN SEE AND PUT YOUR HAND STRAIGHT THROUGH AND TOUCH THE GROUND OUTSIDE IF IT WASN'T FOR THE CARPET. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT TO ME. THE IT ALL MADE SENSE BECAUSE WHEN EVER IT RAINED OR SNOWED BADLY IN MY AREA I WOULD ALWAYS HAVE WET FLOORS AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS LEAKING BUT I NOW KNOW IT'S THE TWO RUST CORROSION SPOT IN THE FLOORBOARD. AND SOME DAYS THE ODOR FROM THE WETNESS ON THE CARPET IS PUNGENT. ONE IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE OTHER IS RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS LOOKING THROUGH MY WARRANTY AND VEHICLE INFO BOOKS THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT DEFINITELY SHOWS THAT RUST WARRANTY IS LIFETIME OR SOMETHING TO THAT NATURE I AM GOING TO LOOK AT IT ONCE AGAIN AND ENSURE IF THAT INFORMATION IS CORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438930

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2011
Structure

MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVER SIDE FLOOR HAS ROTTED UNTIL THERE ARE HOLES IN THE FLOOR. THE FLOOR NEED TO BE PATCHED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438820

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2011
Structure

I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING RUST DAMAGE ON MY 2005 ALTIMA 3.5 SE W/67,000 MI. AFTER BEING REFERRED TO MY DEALERSHIP FOR AN INVESTIGATION A REP WITH NISSAN REGIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS SAYS THAT UNFORTUNATELY MY WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER RUST AFTER 5 YEARS. I ASKED IF IT'''S NISSAN'''S POSITION THAT I WAS NE…

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I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING RUST DAMAGE ON MY 2005 ALTIMA 3.5 SE W/67,000 MI. AFTER BEING REFERRED TO MY DEALERSHIP FOR AN INVESTIGATION A REP WITH NISSAN REGIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS SAYS THAT UNFORTUNATELY MY WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER RUST AFTER 5 YEARS. I ASKED IF IT'''S NISSAN'''S POSITION THAT I WAS NEGLIGENT IN MAINTAINING MY VEHICLE. HOW ELSE WOULD YOU EXPLAIN A 6 YR LOW-MILEAGE CAR HAVING EXTENSIVE RUST ISSUES? WOULD THEY AT LEAST ADMIT TO PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS? EVERYTHING ON MY CAR IS STILL LIKE NEW EXCEPT PREMATURE RUSTING THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. I EXPLAINED I'VE DILIGENTLY MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE WITH THE HOPES OF IT LASTING FOR YEARS BASED ON THE REPUTATION OF IMPORTED CARS. IT'S BEEN GARAGED DURING MOST INCLEMENT WEATHER. I EXPLAINED HOW SHOCKED I WAS WHEN I SAW ALL THE COMPLAINTS, FORUMS, AND BLOGS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM EITHER WITH THE MATERIAL (DURASTEEL) OR THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF ALL THE GEN 3 AND 4 ALTIMAS THAT ALLOWS WATER TO INFILTRATE BETWEEN THE METAL ON THE FLOORBOARDS CAUSING PREMATURE RUST THROUGH. THERE ARE PLASTIC PLUGS THAT BECOME DISLODGED OR ARE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE REAR SUBFRAME SO THEY ARE AWARE OF ISSUE WITH THE METALS THEY'RE USING. REGARDLESS, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER NISSAN. PLEASE CHECK AND IF YOU'RE FACING THE SAME EXPENSIVE REPAIR, CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS @ 800-647-7261 AND ASK TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THEY WILL BE SURPRISED AND SAY "THIS IS THE FIRST WE'VE HEARD OF THIS."' DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME WAITING FOR A REPLY. IMMEDIATELY FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND NHTSA. YOUR NISSAN REP WILL CHEERFULLY GIVE YOU THE NUMBERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436427

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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