2005 Nissan Altima Structure Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 28, 2026 · 351 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 351 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 103,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “passenger side” (39% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Passenger side: mentioned in 136 of 351 complaints (39%)
  • Floor boards: mentioned in 72 of 351 complaints (21%)
  • Rusted through: mentioned in 55 of 351 complaints (16%)
  • Both driver: mentioned in 23 of 351 complaints (7%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the 2005 Nissan Altima at $1,400, and half of them between $930 and $2,800.

Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2011–2019), 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 structure problems happen?

Based on 297 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles4 · 1%
10k–25k miles6 · 2%
25k–50k miles9 · 3%
50k–75k miles42 · 14%
75k–100k miles75 · 25%
100k–150k miles119 · 40%
150k+ miles42 · 14%

How serious are the reports?

Of 351 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 9 an injury.

Nissan Altima structure complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 351 complaints
1995: 419951996: 41997: 81998: 619981999: 42000: 52001: 420012002: 1282003: 1262004: 4220042005: 3513512006: 2212007: 2720072008: 3122009: 902010: 3020102011: 272012: 332013: 13420132014: 522015: 632016: 2920162017: 182018: 32019: 620192020: 62021: 12022: 220222024: 52025: 1

n = 1,742 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearStructure complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Altima114%—
2024 Altima512%80,000
2022 Altima26%—
2021 Altima11%2,000
2020 Altima64%25,000
2019 Altima63%16,100
2018 Altima31%—
2017 Altima185%57,150
2016 Altima295%31,005
2015 Altima637%58,000
2014 Altima525%55,000
2013 Altima1346%51,475
2012 Altima338%50,000
2011 Altima2711%50,000
2010 Altima308%61,000
2009 Altima906%60,000
2008 Altima31230%65,550
2007 Altima276%73,752
2006 Altima22127%100,360
2005 Altima35132%103,000
2004 Altima4215%114,000
2003 Altima12614%111,000
2002 Altima12812%100,000
2001 Altima43%38,005
2000 Altima53%135,350
1999 Altima45%160,000
1998 Altima65%140,000
1997 Altima87%169,000
1996 Altima44%—
1995 Altima42%41,500

When owners reported it

Peak: 2015, with 110 complaints
2004: 3200432006: 332007: 4200742008: 112009: 2200922010: 332011: 182011182012: 41412013: 442013442014: 59592015: 11020151102016: 36362017: 132017132018: 442019: 8201982020: 22

n = 351 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (0)

No safety recall lists structure for the 2005 Nissan Altima. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan altima s/sl. The contact stated the floorboard in the vehicle was corroded which caused exhaust fumes to enter the vehicle and giving consumer a headache. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic vehicle was repaired at an auto body shop or a…

Received May 27, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11326129

Saw something hanging from beneath the passenger side seat. Kneeing i found rusted metal hanging and carpeting hanging through a rust hole. Checking i found the same rusting on the drivers side floor board.

Received Mar 11, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11317597

Got 2005 nissan altima 2.5 s, recently came to find out that my car has a feet sized rust holes showing floor carpet beneath driver and passenger seats. These rust holes at the bottom of car were not only causing safety risk for people in the car but also sends fumes, carbon monoxide, foul smells…

Received Nov 20, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11281384
Nissan Altima
A 2023 Nissan Altima SR I photographed in Lompoc, California. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: LukaCali, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2005 Nissan Altimas have structure problems?

No. NHTSA has 351 owner complaints about structure for the 2005 Nissan Altima (32% 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 structure?

No recall currently lists structure for this vehicle.

At what mileage do structure problems start?

The median reported mileage is 103,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,400 (half paid between $930 and $2,800), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about structure problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima?

The most frequent phrase is “passenger side”, in 136 of 351 complaints, followed by “floor boards” (72).

Other 2005 Nissan Altima problems

See all 2005 Nissan Altima problems or structure problems across all Altima years.