YearToAvoid

2005 Nissan Altima Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#6 most-complained of 21 Altima years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Nissan Altima has 1,091 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 75 out of 100 — #6 highest of 21 Altima model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (417 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 48 crashes, 18 fires, and 62 injuries.

Complaints
1,091
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
48 / 18
Injuries / deaths
62 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 27 hwy

Top 2005 Nissan Altima problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine417 (38%)
  2. Structure & Body361 (33%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain115 (11%)
  4. Electrical System110 (10%)
  5. Other70 (6%)
  6. Brakes55 (5%)
  7. Airbags47 (4%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires46 (4%)
  9. Fuel System35 (3%)
  10. Steering31 (3%)
2005 Nissan Altima complaints: complaints filed per quarter912004 Q32007 Q12009 Q32012 Q12014 Q32017 Q12019 Q32022 Q2
1310 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2015 Q2 (91).

2005 Nissan Altima recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 07V527000Nov 14, 2007Engine653,910 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling

    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.

    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.

    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.

2005 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Altima years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid751,091121
2006Caution70824321
2007Good45471324

All Nissan Altima years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Nissan Altima a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Nissan Altima ranks #6 of 21 among Altima model years (Complaint Index 75/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 1,091 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Altima?
The most reported problem areas are engine (417 complaints), structure & body (361 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (115 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 86,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 Nissan Altima, most recently reported 2007, covering engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Nissan Altima?
EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Altima at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.