2005 Nissan Altima Reliability
The 2005 Nissan Altima has 1,091 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby Altima model years (2003–2007), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Altima's typical year, while the 2004 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
1,091
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
48
Complaints citing a crash
18
Complaints citing a fire
2005 Nissan Altima complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 model year, filed between 2004 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 351 | 32% |
| Engine & cooling | 259 | 24% |
| Engine | 141 | 13% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 115 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 97 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 60 | 5% |
| Air bags | 47 | 4% |
| Speed control / throttle | 42 | 4% |
2005 Nissan Altima recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2005 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07E087000 | Oct 25, 2007 | Exterior lighting — headlights | 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,… |
| 07V527000 | Nov 14, 2007 | 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. |
How the 2005 compares with nearby Altima years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Altima analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 883 | 10 | Engine & cooling | Avoid |
| 2004 | 276 | 5 | Engine & cooling | Better year |
| 2005 (this page) | 1,091 | 2 | Body structure | Caution |
| 2006 | 824 | 4 | Body structure | Caution |
| 2007 | 498 | 3 | Suspension | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2005 Nissan Altima
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2005 Nissan Altima can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2005 Nissan Altima reliability FAQ
Is the 2005 Nissan Altima reliable?
The 2005 Nissan Altima has 1,091 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and engine & cooling. Compared with nearby Altima model years (2003–2007), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Altima's typical year, while the 2004 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Altima problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Altima are body structure (351), engine & cooling (259), engine (141), powertrain / transmission (115). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2005 Nissan Altima have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Nissan Altima, including 07E087000 (exterior lighting — headlights) and 07V527000 (engine & cooling). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2005 Nissan Altima compare with the 2004 and 2006 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2004 has 276 complaints and 5 recalls (better year); the 2006 has 824 complaints and 4 recalls (caution). The 2005 has 1,091 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2005 Nissan Altima?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Altima research
Other Nissan Altima model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2005 Altima, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.