STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES 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 suspension problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
2injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty. - A strut or shock absorber that has slight oil seepage, a condition which is considered normal, does not affect strut/shock absorber operation or performance, and does not require replacement. - A strut or shock absorber that should be replaced due to rod resistance/noise issues. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN REAR SUSPENSION MEMBER REPLACEMENT/ BUSHING REPLACEMENT AND SEALING. UPDATED 6/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report front strut failures starting as early as 2,600 miles and recurring through 43,000 miles despite multiple replacements. One owner replaced the right strut twice and still heard noise; another replaced both struts at 11,743 and 16,753 miles but reported the car continued bouncing, pulling left and right, and getting stuck on turns. Strut replacement and retorquing don't resolve the issues.
Rear suspension weakness is widespread. Owners describe rear end sagging with even one passenger, exhaust dragging pavement when parking with multiple rear occupants, and wheel alignment that cannot be corrected or recurs despite proper maintenance. One owner found the rear sub-frame bent and could not complete an alignment; a technician cited weak axles and factory misalignment as the root cause.
One owner reported the rear control bar broke at the weld while driving, causing a spinout and damaging the tire and rear housing. The owner claims this part has recalls in other states but not Florida, and warranty was denied.
Rust is a major concern. Owners report floor-board rust holes in garaged, well-maintained vehicles; rear sub-frame corrosion with holes causing inspection failures at 145,000 miles; and front sub-frame rot, especially in New England where salt is used. Owners note the frame lacks proper coating for regional conditions and that Nissan failed to identify visible rust during service visits.
Same Nissan Altima suspension reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Front strut failures
Struts failing early and repeatedly. One owner had right front strut replaced twice, still noisy at 43,000 miles. Another owner replaced both struts at 11,743 and 16,753 miles respectively; car still drove poorly with bouncing and pulling. A third owner reported strut failure at 2,600 miles with no trauma. Complaints note this is a widespread issue among 2005 Altima owners.
When: 29,000 to 43,000 miles; 11,743 miles (right); 16,753 miles (left); 2,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Noises from suspension; Vehicle bounces excessively, especially on highway; Car pulls to left and right; Gets stuck on turns; Poor ride quality despite multiple replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Right front strut replaced twice; both struts replaced; strut mount replaced; suspension retorqued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan made repairs only after Better Business Bureau arbitration in at least one case
Rear suspension sagging and structural weakness
Rear suspension sags noticeably with light loading. One owner reported back end sagging with only one passenger and exhaust dragging pavement when parking with multiple rear passengers. Another owner reported rear sub-frame bent, preventing wheel alignment—Nissan refused to inspect without charge despite vehicle being under 36-month warranty. Technician cited weak rear axles and factory misalignment.
When: Early in ownership; one case at unknown mileage with no accident history since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end sagging with passengers; Exhaust dragging pavement under load; Wheel alignment issues; Bent rear sub-frame
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment work unable to complete due to bent sub-frame; one owner noted weak axles cited by technician
Chronic wheel alignment problems
Multiple owners report persistent alignment issues. One owner on third set of tires at 22,000 miles; technician noted weak axles and factory misalignment that recurred despite proper maintenance. Another owner could not complete alignment due to bent rear sub-frame. Wheel alignment failure recurred even after correction.
When: 22,000 miles; early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid tire wear (three sets by 22,000 miles); Wheels misaligned at factory; Alignment cannot be corrected or recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alignment attempts; third set of tires by 22,000 miles
Rear control arm welds fractured
Back passenger control bar (two rods) broke at the weld while driving, causing vehicle to spin out of control, resulting in tire and rear housing damage. Owner was told part had recall in other states but not Florida and was denied warranty coverage.
When: Unknown mileage; during active driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of vehicle control while driving; Vehicle spins out; Tire damage; Rear housing damage
Repairs/costs cited: Control bar replacement required after weld failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states part has recall in other states, not Florida; warranty denied; owner pursued insurance claim
Rear sub-frame severe corrosion and rust
Rear suspension cross-member rusted through with multiple holes, causing vehicle to fail state inspection at 145,000 miles. Owner noted vehicle garaged and well-maintained. Rust holes developed in floor-boards on both driver and front passenger sides in garaged vehicle. Front and rear sub-frames corroded, particularly an issue in New England where salt is used. Owner reported frame not properly coated for regional conditions.
When: 145,000 miles; garaged vehicle; early in ownership for floor rust
Symptoms owners cite: Holes in rear suspension cross-member; Failed state inspection due to structural rust; Rust holes in driver and front passenger floor-boards; Corroded sub-frame structure; Compromised crash tolerance and structural integrity
Repairs/costs cited: Service Bulletin P5216 (NTB05-114C) referenced but vehicle not included in warranty replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided case numbers 28264107 and 3338700; referenced Service Bulletin P5216 but vehicle not covered under warranty replacement
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2005 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 10,000 and 141,000 miles, with the median around 37,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 141,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.