2005 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 115about this part
- Share
- 11%of 1,091 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,749miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 115 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Altima, 11% of the 1,091 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,749 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was backing into a space in a garage and the car just speed backwards on its own at high speed. The car was totaled. This is the second time this happened where the car seemed to go on its own. Last year it went forward and I could not stop it right away. This happened in the same garage. Luckily it finally stopped and I did not hit another car.”
NHTSA complaint #10705309, filed 2015-04, 75,000 miles“Went to go start the car, pushed in clutch as normal, started fine, but when I went to go put the car in gear, it wouldn't go. I lifted the clutch and it was stuck on the floor. I had to manually lift it up with my hand. When I started it again it was fine. Then when I am driving it does not go up all the way it drops about 2 inches and stays which grinds the clutch and causes premature wear!”
NHTSA complaint #10702293, filed 2015-03, 111,503 miles“My wife was driving the car at 25 MPH and the car lost all speed as if the brakes were implied and almost caused a three car pile up. Now the car is stuck in 5th gear. I am really worried because my 2 year old daughter was in the car at the time. I have done research online and this is a major problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10596980, filed 2014-06, 88,000 miles“While driving in the highway vehicle lost power and engine shut off, was barely able to get to the side of the freeway before the car came to a complete stop. It was the most scary experience I have ever had in my life. The ses light came on only after loosing all control. I was told at the shop that this is a common issue with some altimas and that they had a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10485449, filed 2012-11, 66,000 miles“Many times after owning my 2005 Nissan, I started having to crank the engine a couple of times before it would start. This should not happen on a car that was only 4 years old when it first started happening. Also the key gets stuck in the ignition which it has been doing for a couple of years. No one knows what it is. I just put it back in drive then park to take the key out.”
NHTSA complaint #10380004, filed 2011-02, 40,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
- 10015845Jun 29, 20055 speed fwd a/t left side oil leak diagnostic. Update
- 10015896Mar 23, 2005Whine noise from engine compartment.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 11% |
| 2017 | 133 | 34% |
| 2016 | 235 | 42% |
| 2015 | 161 | 17% |
| 2014 | 209 | 19% |
| 2013 | 506 | 22% |
| 2012 | 149 | 35% |
| 2011 | 68 | 28% |
| 2010 | 73 | 19% |
| 2009 | 95 | 6% |
| 2008 | 80 | 8% |
| 2007 | 62 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 10% |
| 2005 | 115 | 11% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 4% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% |
| 1995 | 27 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Altima
351 complaintsEngine cooling
259 complaintsEngine
141 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 31, 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