The Lemon Index2005 Nissan Altima.
The 2005 Nissan Altima is worse than average by owner complaints: 217 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 123, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 to 24 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,091 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Altima year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 52K to 115K miles on the car (904 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 80K–132K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–93K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 32K–100K miles
Recalls 2
- engine 2007
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.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN TYC HALOGEN TYPE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/N 20-6644-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 108 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A/t shift interlock solenoid click noise
- Whine noise from engine compartment
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2005 Nissan Altima recall for electronic control module. Consumer states that he has taken his vehicle to the dealership for the recall on four different times but they have not performed the recall.
2005 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 10245889
More owner reports
Got a letter stating that there was a recall that could cause engine to stop and cause a crash which has already happened to my car , it was a total loss.
NHTSA complaint 10237765
Nissan dealership refusing refund for recalled crankshaft position sensor in 2005 Altima.
NHTSA complaint 10216912
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan Altima reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 123; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (37%), electrical (16%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Altima have?
2 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Altima get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 52,300 and 115,000 miles. The middle report was at 86,000 miles, from 904 complaints.
Does the 2005 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Nissan Altima have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works