Nissan Altima problems
1,091 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
- 8 fire-related complaints and 6 crash-related complaints on the engine
- Electrical system: 67 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–124,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Floor boards underneath passenger sides are rotting through...why??!!!!!!!!! *js
My 2005 Nissan altima has the same problem with the crankshaft position sensor. My car is not on the recall list. I was just wondering why my car is not on the recall list? Is Nissan waiting for an accident to happen first? I went out today to start my car and now it won't…
We have 2005 Nissan altima with the 2.5 motor, cars engine light came on and we took it to our mechanic and he said it was the crankshaft sensor, and told me about the recall. I took my car to the nearest Nissan dealer, and all they told me there was a recall on the ECM, and…
The car failed to start after owning the car for 13 months. The car acted as if it was flooded, cranking but not firing. To start the car I had to hold the gas pedal down until the car fired and started. The failure occurred after recently purchasing gasoline. We only use 2-3…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Nissan Altima reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 1,091 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Nissan Altima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2005 Nissan Altima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2005 Nissan Altima is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 8 fire-related complaints and 6 crash-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 67 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–124,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Nissan Altima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 338 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 107,663 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 107,663 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Altima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Nissan Altima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,091 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.