2005 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 141about this part
- Share
- 13%of 1,091 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 141 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Nissan Altima, 13% of the 1,091 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Oil service turned into 3k out of pocket cost in crossville tn when j and r serviced my car. They insisted on cracking open the engine block to replace gaskets that did not need repair. Caused smoking-improper pressure and other problems. Burns massive amts of oil now. Did not before the service- cyl4 floods w oil- massive problems w oil flooding since. Repaired twice- both times I was taken for more $$.”
NHTSA complaint #11196454, filed 2019-04, 165,000 miles“I am driving a 2005 Nissan Altima se-r with approximately 140,000 miles on it. I was driving on a busy road and coming to a stop for a traffic light, probably at 5 to 10 MPH. The engine shut off for no reason. I went to autozone and got the engine code and it is for can shaft position sensor. I browsed internet and this seems a common problem”
NHTSA complaint #10716137, filed 2015-05, 140,000 miles“Vehicle died while coasting down the side street. Once I stopped the vehicle I put it in park and turned the key to off. When trying to restart the vehicle, the engine would crack, but would not start. This problem has been listed for a recall for the 2.5 engine but not for my 3.5 engine, and Nissan will not do anything to help the situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10653027, filed 2014-11, 97,867 miles“Check engine light due to error code p0335 which is camshaft position sensor,my car hesitate to start,need more cranking, as per Nissan so many vehicles were recalled for this code but if I give my VIN # they said there is no recall, I am the original owner of this vehicle, all the maintenances are up to date and currently I have only 72000 miles, I am requesting to recall 2005 Nissan Altima as soon as possible”
NHTSA complaint #10849882, filed 2016-03, 72,000 miles“Car shuts down no power will not start. Back up on the freeway it just shuts off with no warning this is not the first time this problem will kill me or ppl around me on the road. It will stop and you can't put on your brakes nor steer to move to a save place”
NHTSA complaint #11043125, filed 2017-11, 8,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD 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…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 6 | 20% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 6 | 9% |
| 2020 | 37 | 20% |
| 2019 | 48 | 21% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 39 | 10% |
| 2016 | 86 | 16% |
| 2015 | 66 | 7% |
| 2014 | 77 | 7% |
| 2013 | 158 | 7% |
| 2012 | 68 | 16% |
| 2011 | 36 | 15% |
| 2010 | 50 | 13% |
| 2009 | 107 | 7% |
| 2008 | 54 | 5% |
| 2007 | 31 | 7% |
| 2006 | 166 | 20% |
| 2005 | 141 | 13% |
| 2004 | 30 | 11% |
| 2003 | 117 | 13% |
| 2002 | 92 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Altima
351 complaintsEngine cooling
259 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
115 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsOther or unknown
60 complaintsAir bags
47 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsSteering
31 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsTires
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology