The 2005 Altima can last up to 150,000 miles with engine and transmission problems. At $3,898 – 6,732 it’s cheap, but they are expensive to keep running.
Is the 2005 Nissan Altima a Good Used Car?
- No, 2005 is a bad year. Owners complain about high ownership costs, clunking noises, and a lot of rust.
- Reliability ratings are poor. There are mechanical improvements for 2006–2008 models.
- Performance is poor from the 4-cylinder, but the V6 is good.
- The Altima is a safe sedan earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash test ratings.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 24 MPG combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Altima?
- Consumer Reports finds the Altima to be noisy, and has very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Altima a 4.7/5 liking the powerful V6 engine, and dislike the excessive road noise.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Altima 4.3/5 and enjoy the fuel efficiency, but say it’s expensive to own.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Nissan Altima Have?
Problems with the 2005 Altima are fairly serious and include the engine shutting down while driving, the floor rusting out, and rough transmission shifting.
Engines turning off while driving are the most common problem at around 85,000 miles. The problem is usually caused by a failed crankshaft position sensor, which was mentioned in a recall.
A rusted floor pan is another issue showing up at around 115,000 miles. The metal wears out in salty conditions and has to be cut out and replaced for around $1,000 per hole.
Transmissions jerking while changing gears is another complaint at roughly 100,000 miles. The transmission control module usually is the source of the problem, costing about $2,500 to replace.
There are 2 fairly serious recalls including the headlamps, which fail often, and the crankshaft position sensor, which can cause the engine to shut down.
How Long Will the 2005 Nissan Altima Last?
A properly maintained 2005 Altima will last around 150,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles shorter than top competitors including the Toyota Camry. Regular annual maintenance costs are expensive at about $400 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most 2005 Altimas will have over 100,000 miles, so shoppers should be prepared to replace fuel injectors for $1,000, exhaust manifolds costing $1,400, and intake manifolds which cost $500.
There was a recall on the ecu that could have made it unreliable but fixing it did away with the possibility of breaking down.
It is very reliable. I haven't had any problems with it yet. I change the oil every 5k miles and make sure to rotate my tires.
Besides regular maintenance issues. There are no major issues with the car, but oil needs to be replaced in the car often this problem that does come up a lot.
The 2005 Nissan Altima v6 is a very dependable and reliable vehicle I have ever owned. It does have a few problems with the o2 sensor and it does have quite a few factory recalls.
Some minor ones. Coil packs need replaced and fan blower also. Leaks some oil but not much. Not sure where leak is. Also getting ready to put new clutch and brakes.
Just like any other car I can see electrical problems but for the most part it is a very reliable car.
It is a very reliable car. It has the same problems that most car models have but it is just basic wear and tear that any car experiences.
My 2005 Nissan is a reliable car, its travel to a different start, it takes the whole group together places.
How Much Is the 2005 Nissan Altima Worth?
Blue book values range from $3,898 – 6,732, making the Altima a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Honda Accord or Mazda6. When new, the price range was $18,030 to $29,930. Depreciation is similar to rivals, losing 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Altima?
There are five models of the Altima available. The infotainment technology is very outdated with a redesign coming in 2007.
2.5 is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Manual Windows & Locks
- 4-Speaker AM/FM Stereo
2.5 S is a step up adding:
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Power Locks & Windows
- Cruise Control
3.5 SE has some more features such as:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Sport Suspension
- Fog Lights
- Power Driver’s Seat
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System
3.5 SL is the luxury model and has:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Automatic Climate Control
- Bose Stereo System With 6-CD Changer
3.5 SE-R is the performance-oriented model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 6-Speed Manual Transmission
- High-Performance Suspension
- Rear Spoiler
- Black Exterior Trim
What Engines Come In the Altima?
- The base engine is a weak 2.5L 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower and gets up to 24 MPG combined.
- The 3.5 models come with a powerful 3.5L V6 making 260 horsepower that gets up to 21 MPG combined. Performance is great, taking only 5.9 seconds to reach 60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Altima Come In?
How Big Is the Altima?
The 2005 Altima is an average size midsize sedan similar to the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. Passenger space is good throughout the cabin, but headroom is limited in the backseats for taller adults.
Cargo space is similar to rivals, with 15.6 cubic feet of room in the trunk.
How Does the Altima Compare to the Competition?
The Nissan Maxima is a rival sedan from Nissan in the same price range. Where the Maxima stands out is with more room and a nicer interior, but the Altima handles better. We recommend avoiding both sedans since they have mechanical problems.
The Honda Accord is another similarly priced competitor. Technology and reliability are better in the Accord, but the Altima has higher-quality interior materials. We recommend the Accord, which will last longer.
Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Altima?
Yes, it is very well made & very fuel efficient. It drives & handles great. It is also very comfortable to travel in.
Yes! It is very spacious & great on gas. I commute about an hour everyday & I am comfortable in the seat for long periods of time.
Yes the vehicle runs well and it pretty durable.I don't have many complaints about the efficiency of the vehicle.
Yes the Nissan Altima se v6 3.5 liter engine is a very good vehicle. It has everything any driver needs for any one of the seasons. I recommend it to anyone of my fellow friends and family members.
Yes it is reliable. Stick shift 5 speed. Lovely white and grey interior. 170,000 miles 2 owners. 1st college student then family with kids owned.
Yes it is a very good car, I like how it drives I also like the interior as it is very comfortable to me.
The Nissan Altima is a very good vehicle. I have had it for a very long time and runs well. I would recommend a Nissan to anyone.
It's a good car, but annoying how you have to buy parts that are connected to others to fix the issues. It's not like you can pull the broken part and switch it. Always connected to another part.