Is the 2005 Nissan Altima a bad year?
1,090 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 381, 9.3× a quiet Altima year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2005 Nissan Altima were filed between 53k and 104k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 378 (35%) | 53k–103k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 350 (32%) | 80k–132k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 115 (11%) | 40k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 97 (9%) | 35k–108k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 47 (4%) | 40k–137k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 42 (4%) | 47k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 37 (3%) | 22k–93k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 35 (3%) | 50k–128k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 31 (3%) | 46k–113k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 21 (2%) | 10k–141k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exhaust | 19 (2%) | 66k–98k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Stability control | 18 (2%) | 65k–124k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 21 (2%) | 1k–25k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 14 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,090 complaints: 48 mention a crash · 18 mention a fire · 44 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Apr 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
At 80k miles, the 3.5L INFINITY/350Z motor that has been *very* well taken care of had a known issue occur which caused the valve to come loose in the engine.
About 2 yrs ago the engine light came on in my nissan. I took it for a diagnostic and it came up with two codes that at this point I don't remember.
Car would not start and service engine soon light on. Crankshaft and camshaft sensors replaced, at my expense.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Nissan Altima: 2
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 the electronic control module (ECM) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition…
Certain tyc halogen type headlamp assemblies p/n 20-6644-00 sold as aftermarket equipment for 2005-2006 Nissan Altima passenger vehicles. The photometric were misaligned which does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. Misalignment of the lights diminishes frontal illumination which could result in a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 45
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Voluntary service campaign air bag warning light
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Voluntary service campaign QR25DE power valve
Nissan; fuel tank is extremely difficult to fill
Neighbouring years
2004 Altima: 276 complaints, consider selling · 2006 Altima: 824 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Altima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Altima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2005 Nissan Altima a bad year?
1,090 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 381, 9.3× a quiet Altima year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2005 Nissan Altima were filed between 53k and 104k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (378), body structure (350), transmission and drivetrain (115), electrical system (97), air bags (47). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 53k–104k miles.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Altima have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 07V-527), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E087000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.