VehicleVerdict

2005 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,364 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Altima year — the 2005 model ranks #5 of 33 Altima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 91 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 407 reports (30% of the total).

1,364

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

71

Crash-involved

25

Fires reported

91

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine40730%
Body & Structure35426%
Electrical System1199%
Transmission1179%
Other665%
Airbags494%
Brakes453%
Speed Control423%
Fuel System353%
Steering312%
Tires & Wheels262%
Suspension212%
Visibility & Wipers141%
Lighting141%
Seat Belts101%
Latches & Locks71%
Seats60%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2005 Nissan Altima have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V527000EngineNovember 14, 2007 · 653,910 units

Defect

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

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.

07E087000LightingOctober 25, 2007 · 4,654 units

Defect

CERTAIN TYC HALOGEN TYPE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/N 20-6644-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PHOTOMETRIC WERE MISALIGNED WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

GENERA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GENERA AT 714-522-6688.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE IN FRONT OF HIS RESIDENCE, WITH THE ENGINE ON, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE OIL PAN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 27, 2010 · fire

“THE DOOR IS NOT ALIGN RIGHT COULD THE CENTER BEAM BE BENT? ALSO MOLDING INSIDE OF DOOR IS NOT STAYING ON THE CENTER BEAM? DEALERSHIP MARLBOROUGH NISSAN IS CONFUSED ON THE PROBLEM. ALSO PAINT PROBLEMS NICE SPIDER WEB ON THE PAINT AND PAINT PEELING ON PASSENGER MIRROW.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 2, 2004 · crash

“MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN SAW SMOKE AND STOPPED THE CAR, WHEN HE RAISED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WITH WATER AFTER HE SAW HE COULD NOT STOP THE FLAMES CALLED 911 THE CARE TOTALLY BURNED NOTHING LEFT EXCEPT FRAME THE FIRE DEPT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 25, 2015 · fire

“I WAS BACKING INTO A SPACE IN A GARAGE AND THE CAR JUST SPEED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN AT HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WHERE THE CAR SEEMED TO GO ON ITS OWN. LAST YEAR IT WENT FORWARD AND I COULD NOT STOP IT RIGHT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED IN THE SAME GARAGE. LUCKILY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 24, 2015 · crash

“THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS KEPT GOING OFF AND ON. THERE WAS ALSO A CLANKING SOUND. I STOPPED AND LET CAR COOL. CONTINUED DRIVING AND NOTICED FIRE FROM MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. RAN OUT OF CAR AND IT CAUGHT FIRE 30 SECONDS AFTER FOLLOWED BY COUPLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 31, 2015 · fire

2005 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2005 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,364 complaints put the 2005 model at #5 of 33 Altima years. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (407 complaints), body & structure (354 complaints), electrical system (119 complaints).

Does the 2005 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.