2005 Nissan Altima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Nissan Altima carries a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst among 21 model years, and earns an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 38% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 78,000, alongside one recall for a crankshaft position sensor issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 Altima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,091
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 48
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 18
- Injuries
- 62
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 62 / 0
Top 2005 Nissan Altima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine417 (38%)
- Structure & Body361 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain115 (11%)
- Electrical System110 (10%)
- Other70 (6%)
- Brakes55 (5%)
- Airbags47 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires46 (4%)
- Fuel System35 (3%)
- Steering31 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel can become extremely hot during a crash, burning the driver's hands.
- Steering components, including a ball joint, have reportedly broken suddenly while driving, causing loss of control.
- Brake pedals have reportedly gone to the floor with the steering column locking up, leading to loss of vehicle control.
- Airbags have reportedly deployed during crashes and caused hand injuries.
- An electrical wiring issue reportedly caused a fire in a parked, garaged vehicle.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while slowly parking, resulting in a crash despite the brake being applied.
2005 Nissan Altima recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Nissan Altima reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2005 Altima a complaint index of 75, ranking it 6th worst out of 21 model years for this model, with an Avoid verdict relative to other Altima years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2005 Nissan Altima?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 38% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 78,000.
- Does the 2005 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall for the crankshaft position sensor overheating on 2.5L engine models, which can briefly interrupt the sensor signal; the remedy is an ECM reprogram.
- How does the 2005 Altima compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 75 is higher than the 2007 (45, Good) and 2011 (30, Good) model years, but lower than the 2013 (100, Avoid), making 2005 one of the worse years in the lineup.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Nissan Altima?
- EPA rates it at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.