KnownCarProblems2005 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,091 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Altima, most often about the engine (36% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Nissan Altima problems
Engine
395 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The car would suddenly stop while driving almost causing fatal accidents. Car was taken to Nissan to have a recall fixed for this exact problem. Nissan stated they would not reprogram the ECM under the recall until the crankshaft position sensors were replaced and was charged 350 dollars for parts and labor. The…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle completely shut off and had to be maneuvered to the side of the road. It took 20 minutes for the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed and needed to be…
Body and structure
351 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
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…
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the floor boards on the driver and passenger side were rotten. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the repair cost would be $440 per side in order to repair the floor boards and they were out sourcing the repairs to a body shop. The vehicle was taken…
Transmission
115 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission, clutch assembly, driveline.
Automatic transmission solenoid malfunctioned. Caused the car to make loud thud and bang into gear between 1st and 2nd gear. Accident near miss, but no actual wreck. This is a widespread problem as any online forum on the Altima reveals...
Tl contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shut off entirely. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The dealer stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed. The VIN…
Electrical
97 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, starter assembly.
Vehicle stopped running without warning. Reference 07v527000. Stated by manufacturer VIN not included in recall. Repair and description of campaign id above reflect exact same issue. Extend recall to include all 2005 altimas.
While driving in the highway vehicle lost power and engine shut off, was barely able to get to the side of the freeway before the car came to a complete stop. It was the most scary experience I have ever had in my life. The ses light came on only after loosing all control. I was told at the shop that this is a common…
Other or unspecified
60 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles.
I was driving my 2005 Nissan Altima se-r 6 speed manual when the clutch just sank to the floor I was in rush hour traffic and head could not go at the light. After a couple of times the clutch went back to normal pressure. About 30 minutes later it happened again, but the clutch never went back to pressure I have been…
My daughter was driving her 2005 Nissan Altima and over corrected in a curve. She hit a tree and the air bag in the steering wheel deployed. She was wearing her seat belt and was held back by the seat belt her head impacting the center or the steering wheel. The cover over the air bag blew out hinging itself at the…
Air bags
47 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
My 17 year old daughter was involved in an accident with my 2005 Nissan Altima on may 21, 2014. She was hit by another vehicle in which she received back, leg and knee injuries. My vehicle was hit hard on the front passenger side in which the airbag did not deploy when clearly it should have by the impact of the…
My 17 year old daughter was involved in an accident with my 2005 Nissan Altima on may 21, 2014. She was hit by another vehicle in which she received back, leg and knee injuries. My vehicle was hit hard on the front passenger side in which the airbag did not deploy when clearly it should have by the impact of the…
Speed control
42 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
My 17-year-old daughter has a 2005 Nissan Altima. A week ago the car began shutting itself off while she is driving it. The codes said we needed to replace the crankshaft sensor and we did so. This did not stop the problem. On the way home from the auto parts store today her car stopped and she was almost rear-ended…
Crankshaft position sensor bad, part has a known defect from the supplier yet Nissan will not replace or call recall notice. Car can shut down while driving, high risk for fatality.
Brakes
37 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
During cold weather, I experienced what felt like a seized braking system. The weather was close to 0 and when I attempted to stop, the brake pedal would not depress to the floor and the car would not stop. After pressing with both legs as hard as I could, the pedal gave and the car stopped. Research LED me to replace…
Each winter since I purchased the car, during cold weather, when car is first started, brakes do not work. It is like they are frozen and the brake pedal will not depress unless forced. Once I get the pedal to go down, the pedal must be pumped numerous times to get them to work. Once car is warmed, they will work.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Nissan Altima recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (395 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); body and structure (351 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles); transmission (115 complaints, typically around 65,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Altima have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 14, 2007 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is 4th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints, with 1,091 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.