2005 Nissan Altima Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 259 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima, 24% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 72,490 miles. The words owners use most often: “crankshaft position” (21% of reports).
- 259engine and engine cooling complaints
- 72,490median miles at failure
- 5mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Crankshaft position: mentioned in 55 of 259 complaints (21%)
- Service engine: mentioned in 31 of 259 complaints (12%)
- Crank shaft: mentioned in 21 of 259 complaints (8%)
- Sensor failed: mentioned in 14 of 259 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the 2005 Nissan Altima at $400, and half of them between $350 and $540.
Based on 35 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 228 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 259 complaints, 5 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 6 an injury.
Nissan Altima engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Altima | 1 | 1% | 118,000 |
| 2020 Altima | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2019 Altima | 9 | 4% | 108,000 |
| 2017 Altima | 1 | 0% | 148,000 |
| 2014 Altima | 3 | 0% | 4,520 |
| 2013 Altima | 8 | 0% | 2,150 |
| 2012 Altima | 4 | 1% | 35,503 |
| 2011 Altima | 6 | 2% | 95,836 |
| 2010 Altima | 4 | 1% | 1,849 |
| 2009 Altima | 10 | 1% | 69,870 |
| 2008 Altima | 21 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2007 Altima | 44 | 9% | 28,000 |
| 2006 Altima | 189 | 23% | 54,700 |
| 2005 Altima | 259 | 24% | 72,490 |
| 2004 Altima | 109 | 39% | 67,000 |
| 2003 Altima | 450 | 51% | 77,500 |
| 2002 Altima | 594 | 57% | 87,000 |
| 2001 Altima | 59 | 37% | 70,000 |
| 2000 Altima | 49 | 31% | 81,500 |
| 1999 Altima | 8 | 9% | 104,000 |
| 1998 Altima | 14 | 11% | 108,833 |
| 1997 Altima | 7 | 6% | — |
| 1996 Altima | 8 | 9% | 84,000 |
| 1995 Altima | 28 | 16% | 40,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ecm free of charge. Certain my 2006 altimas which have been previously remedied under recall campaign 06v223 (nissan r0606) are not included in this recall since the reprogramming for 06v223 also included this reprogramming. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an…
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that…
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the vehicle overheated and failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. An independent mechanic arrived to inspect the vehicle and informed the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2005 Nissan Altimas have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 259 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2005 Nissan Altima (24% of the 1,091 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Nissan Altima engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 72,490 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima?
Owners report a typical cost of $400 (half paid between $350 and $540), from 35 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “crankshaft position”, in 55 of 259 complaints, followed by “service engine” (31).
Other 2005 Nissan Altima problems
- Structure problems (351)
- Engine problems (141)
- Power Train problems (115)
- Electrical System problems (97)
See all 2005 Nissan Altima problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Altima years.