VehicleVerdict

2005 Nissan Altima engine problems

The 2005 Nissan Altima has 407 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 30% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

407

Engine complaints

30%

Share of year

10

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2005 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA has 407 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Altima engine — 30% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Nissan Altima engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 07V527000.

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.