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2005 Nissan AltimaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,091 owner complaints about the 2005 Nissan Altima, most often about the structure. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2005 Nissan Altima
20
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid4.1× the Altima median · #4 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,091110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage103kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 28, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Nissan Altima has problems

1,091 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure35110
Engine and engine cooling25912
Engine1418
Power train1155
Electrical system9710
Air bags4723
Vehicle speed control426
Steering317
Service brakes, hydraulic295
16 other systems16816

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2005 Nissan Altima recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V-527 · Nov 14, 2007 · 653,910 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

103kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 297 structure complaints. 46% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
11under 30k miles136under 100k miles161100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

38 owners mentioned a cost

$256median

Middle half: $211 – $388

Structure

34 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $625 – $2,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other Altima year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Altima median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2005 Nissan Altima safety ratings

2005 Nissan Altima 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2005 Nissan Altima frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2005 Nissan Altima side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Altima owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA S/SL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOORBOARD IN THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND GIVING CONSUMER A HEADACHE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP OR A…
Complaint 11326129 · May 27, 2020 · 83,000 miles
SAW SOMETHING HANGING FROM BENEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. KNEEING I FOUND RUSTED METAL HANGING AND CARPETING HANGING THROUGH A RUST HOLE. CHECKING I FOUND THE SAME RUSTING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD.
Complaint 11317597 · Mar 11, 2020 · 72,000 miles
GOT 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S, RECENTLY CAME TO FIND OUT THAT MY CAR HAS A FEET SIZED RUST HOLES SHOWING FLOOR CARPET BENEATH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THESE RUST HOLES AT THE BOTTOM OF CAR WERE NOT ONLY CAUSING SAFETY RISK FOR PEOPLE IN THE CAR BUT ALSO SENDS FUMES, CARBON MONOXIDE, FOUL SMELLS,…
Complaint 11281384 · Nov 20, 2019 · 116,000 miles

Own a 2005 Altima?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.