2005 Nissan Altima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (283) · Engine And Engine Cooling (166) · Engine (90)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Altima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
905 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (108)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 108 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-28 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“while driving my 2005 nissan altima in active traffic with my [xxx] child, the vehicle suddenly stalled without any warning. the engine completely shut off while in motion, creating an immediately safety hazard in live traffic conditions. immediately after the stall, i observed oil leakage and smoke entering the cabin. the vehicle became inoperab…”
2026-04-27 · Unknown Or Other“ vehicle: 2005 nissan altima | vin: [xxx] to the executive team and legal counsel, i am writing this under extreme duress following a catastrophic, life-threatening vehicle failure on april 23, 2026, in ripley, wv. while transporting my [xxx] son, my 2005 nissan altima suffered a sudden engine stall, followed by the engine bay becoming saturated…”
2025-06-12 · Steering · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 nissan altima. the contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and the contact was referre…”
2024-07-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/Camshaft Position Sensor · 210,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 nissan altima. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and felt as if the vehicle was…”
2023-09-07 · Power Train“hello, i am the owner now of this vehicle snd i see the recalls have not been taken care of? what do i do in order to get them repaired ?…”
2023-08-14 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 173,591 mi“the contact owns a 2005 nissan altima. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. additionally, the vehicle overheated and failed to restart. several unknown warning lights were illuminated. an independent mechanic arrived to inspect the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. the …”
2023-06-28 · Unknown Or Other“the car shuts off while driving.…”
2023-06-25 · Unknown Or Other“when i was in an accident in 2006 airbags did not open. i worry about valve cap and if it is safe. other this when opening my door door handle are defected and breaking off. i never had a car where door handles break. i would like assistance with these issues. thank you. [xxx]-customer information redacted pursuant to the freedom of informa…”
2023-02-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“the cars battery and brake lights came on while driving and then after about 10 mins my gas pedal stopped working and i almost got in a really bad car accident. if i rev the car over 3000 rpms the lights go out. so while i was cruising i had to shift to natural and rev the car and shift back to drive when i needed to go faster. i brought the car …”
2023-01-27 · Unknown Or Other“car did a jerk while i was driving in the interstate never lost speed didnt hit anything it was like a big jerk no noise no smoke no lights came on nothing so i got to my mom house parked no smoke no dent no nothing right well got ready to go a couple hours later no reverse fluid level was kinda low but no leaks now yesterday getting readyto leave …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.