CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan Altima engine problems
severe 338 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
338
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
6crashes
8fires
10injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 338 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of Nissan Altima we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 338.
Engine accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Expiration Notification - 2.5 Liter Power Valve Dealer Announcement ***** Campaign Summary***** In 2005, Nissan launched a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2004 Model Year Nissan Sentra and 2004-2005 Model Year Nissan Altima vehicles equipped with 2.5 Liter engines to inspect and, if necessary, replace the power valve screws with new ones. There is a possibility that the power valve screws located in the intake manifold may become loose. If this condition occurs the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and unstable engine idling or power loss may occur. Parts specified for this campaign are no longer available through Nissan. This customer service campaign and customer reimbu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN QR25DE POWER VALVE Service Campaign ID # P5202 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P5202. ï· Discard all previous versions of NTB05-058.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer personnel aware that we are re-notifying customers at this time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as Inspection Maintainence, I/M, or SMOG testing depending upon location). Allowing the vehicle to idle for 22 minutes will allow for faster CVN calculation. It is recommended that customers utilize this method if the vehicle needs to be tested for emissions soon after ECM reprogramming. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Nissan Altima equipped with the 2.5L engine exhibits a documented, widespread failure of the crankshaft position sensor (CPS). The sensor overheats and loses signal integrity, causing the engine control module to shut down the engine without warning—often at highway speeds or in heavy traffic. Owners describe their cars stalling at 35–70 mph, losing power steering and brakes, and narrowly avoiding collision with trucks and other vehicles.
Nissan issued recall 07V527000 in December 2007, but it addresses only ECM reprogramming, not the defective sensor itself. Owners report that after the free reprogramming, their cars continue to stall. They then face $200–$500 bills to replace the sensor—a $37 part that Nissan claims is not a recall item on 2005 models, despite identical recalls for 2002–2003 Altimas. Many owners have replaced the sensor multiple times. Some report that dealerships misrepresent the recall, charging diagnostic fees or falsely claiming new sensors are required before reprogramming.
Nissan has consistently refused to extend the recall to include sensor replacement or to reimburse owners. Owners report difficulty starting, Service Engine lights, jerking and hesitation, and cascading failures (catalytic converter damage from repeated stalls). The company blames owners for mileage-based wear and dismisses customer service inquiries. A pattern of near-identical complaints spanning 2007–2014 points to a design or manufacturing defect Nissan has declined to remedy despite clear safety risk.
Same Nissan Altima engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Crankshaft Position Sensor Overheating and Failure
The crankshaft position sensor (CPS) overheats due to inadequate thermal design or manufacturing defects, causing signal interruption to the engine control module (ECM). When the signal dropout is too brief for the ECM to detect, the engine shuts down without warning. Even after ECM reprogramming under recall 07V527000, the underlying CPS defect remains unaddressed, leading to repeated failures. Many owners report replacing the sensor multiple times.
When: 2002–2010 timeframe; failures occur after several years of ownership or coinciding with hot weather. Many owners report first failure in the 40,000–80,000 mile range; some as early as 41,000 miles; others at 56,000–100,000+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning at low speeds or on highways; Service Engine Soon/Check Engine light illumination; Difficulty starting or slow cranking; Engine hesitation, jerking, or sputtering; Repeated stalling after previous repairs; Loss of power steering and brakes when engine shuts down
Codes mentioned: P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit), P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit), P2135 (Throttle Position Sensor), P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of the crankshaft position sensor costs owners $37–$486 out-of-pocket (most commonly $200–$300 range). Some owners report replacing it 2–3 times. Dealers inconsistently charge for replacement despite recall eligibility.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 07V527000 (Dec 2007) and 06V223 (2006) cover ECM reprogramming only, not CPS replacement. NHTSA Campaign R0712 exists. Nissan refuses to extend recall to cover CPS replacement on 2005 models, claiming it is outside warranty. Earlier recalls (2002–2003 models) included CPS replacement but 2005 models are excluded despite identical failure modes.
ECM Reprogramming Ineffectiveness
Dealerships reprogram the ECM as mandated by recall 07V527000 to mask brief CPS signal dropouts. The reprogramming does not fix the underlying CPS overheating problem and often fails to prevent subsequent stalls. Owners report the Service Engine light returning within hours or days, and stalling resuming immediately after the recall service.
When: Post-recall service 2007–2009 and beyond. Failures resume within days to weeks of ECM reprogramming.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Engine light remains on or returns after recall service; Stalling continues or resumes shortly after ECM reprogramming; Engine jerking and hesitation persist; Intermittent power loss and hesitation at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: P0335 (persists after reprogramming)
Repairs/costs cited: Reprogramming is performed free under recall but requires subsequent paid CPS replacement ($200–$300) to resolve the issue. Some dealerships incorrectly claim new sensors must be installed before reprogramming can proceed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan maintains that ECM reprogramming is the sole remedy under recall 07V527000 and 06V223. Nissan refuses to acknowledge that the CPS itself is the root cause and declines to extend the recall to include mandatory CPS replacement on 2005 models.
Timing Chain Noise and Failure
The secondary timing chain on certain 2.5L engines produces buzzing or whining noises, indicating wear or tensioner failure. Timing chain failure can lead to catastrophic engine damage and occurs at low mileage (76,000+ miles), well before the expected engine lifespan.
When: At 76,717 miles; failure typically emerges after 60,000 miles on 2004–2007 models with V6 engines.
Symptoms owners cite: Buzzing or whining noise from the engine area; Metal-on-metal grinding sounds
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement requires engine removal and teardown; estimated cost $1,578–$2,200. Part of Service Bulletin NTB07-042.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denies warranty coverage on the basis that the failure occurs outside the standard warranty period (beyond 60,000 miles). NHTSA goodwill recommendations have been denied. No recall issued.
Engine Shut-Down in Heavy Traffic and on Highways
The engine cuts off unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, often during high-traffic conditions or at highway speeds (35–70 mph). The loss of power eliminates power steering and brakes, creating severe safety hazards. Multiple owners report near-collisions with trucks or other vehicles unable to stop in time.
When: Occurs randomly during operation; some owners report events multiple times weekly after recall service.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall without warning at any speed; Loss of power steering (tight, unresponsive brakes); Loss of engine braking capability; Reduced ability to maneuver or pull to the shoulder; Multiple restart attempts required; sometimes no restart for 10+ minutes
Codes mentioned: P0335 (CPS-related)
Repairs/costs cited: None cited as effective short-term fix; repeated CPS replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan does not acknowledge engine shutdown as a recall-eligible defect and refuses responsibility once the vehicle is out of warranty. Customer service has been described as unhelpful and dismissive.
Catalytic Converter and Head Gasket Damage Secondary to Sensor Failure
Prolonged stalling and repeated hot restarts from sensor malfunction can cause catalytic converter failure and debris ingestion into the cylinders, damaging the head gasket and potentially cracking cylinders. This represents a cascading failure mode in which the primary sensor defect leads to secondary engine component destruction.
When: At 80,000+ miles; occurs after repeated stalls and restart attempts.
Symptoms owners cite: Antifreeze found on spark plugs; Smoke from exhaust pipe during stall event; Engine refuses to restart after initial stall; Check Engine light (P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency code)
Codes mentioned: P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement; head gasket replacement; cylinder repair/engine replacement may be required. Costs not cited in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Catalytic converter failure covered under Federal Emissions Warranty (80,000 miles) but only in limited jurisdictions (California). Nissan denies warranty if vehicle originated in a non-emissions state.
Difficulty Cranking and No-Start Events
Owners report prolonged cranking times, weak-battery-like starting behavior, and complete no-start conditions unrelated to battery health. These align with CPS degradation and signal loss to the ECM.
When: Typically precedes or accompanies stalling events; can persist for days or weeks before total failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Slow cranking; weak starter-like behavior despite good battery; Car takes multiple attempts to start; No-start condition lasting hours or overnight, then resolving spontaneously; Hesitant acceleration after hard-start events
Codes mentioned: P0335 (CPS failure)
Repairs/costs cited: CPS replacement resolves the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not addressed in recall; owners charged full diagnostic and replacement fees.
Synthesized from 338 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 start at all. My check engine light came on and it was reading the troubleshooting # p0335 which is the crankshaft…
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 that was all., nothing about the crankshaft sensor. I told them about it and they said my car was not under that recall.…
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 different gas stations with good reputations. It seemed to happen the first cold spell of november 2005. The dealer…
The car failed to start only two weeks after buying it, and the problem has recurred. The car acts as if it's flooded, cranking but not firing. Both failures occurred after recently purchasing gasoline (the same gasoline retailer is used fairly consistently) and driving the car immediately home in cold, but not severely cold, temperatures. The dealer said these circumstances shouldn't cause…
Driving to work...at 25 MPH .... The engine came on .....along with the oil light....and all of the light on the dashboard....and then the car came to a complete stop I the middle of street. There were five cars behind that had to swerve to avoid hitting my car. *tr
I had no problems with my car until this recall was repaired - NHTSA campaign #07v527000 engine and engine cooling - 2005 Nissan altima -- 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. If the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that…
Dt: the contact stated the fuel system and cluster module had to be replaced with less than 800 miles on the vehicle. There was a pinging noise coming from under the mid section. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they stated this noise was normal. A local mechanic determined it was a broken catalytic converter. Based on complaints on a website she felt that a clamp nut may be…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 338 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 291 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 52,949 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,949; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.