10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 35,901 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact had taken the vehicle to an authorized dealer for an unrelated repair and the technician noticed that the front driver and passenger side floorboards were completely rusted. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic for repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 02/22/12 the brakes were replaced, as well as the ac line that was leaking. Updated 03.05.12
- Middleburg Heights, OH, USA
The car was parked in a driveway for 6 hours in 10 degre weather. It was required to move the car to allow another vehicle to leave when the Nissan was driven forward to re-park the vehicle and the brakes were applied the peddle was rock hard and no brakes were available causing a collision with a garage door. The dealership diagnosed the problem as a vacuum valve, integral with a vacuum hose. The dealer tested the car at 7:30am on 1/16/2012 when the car had been sitting for over 24 hours in 23 degree weather, the brake pedal was hard (however not rock solid) once the pedal was pumped twice the brakes worked accordingly. The theory was the valve was not functioing in the cold weather. The dealer tested the theory by removing the faulty part and placing it in the cold weather for approximatley 30 minutes and reinstalled part back intot he car and created a similar scenario where the brake pedal was hard with limited brakes (temperature was 22 degrees). The part has been replaced and appears to have solved the issue. I am dissapointed that the Nissan Altima can potentially have brakes in extreme cold weather as I live in a cold climate.
- Webster, NY, USA
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5. consumer writes in regards to problems with brakes the consumer stated the vehicle was difficult to stop and the problem typically occurred in the morning time and in the driveway on extremely cold days.
- North Andover, MA, USA
2005 Nissan Altima. Consumer states several problems with vehicle to include brakes, trunk leak, relay switch the consumer stated when he purchased the vehicle, it had been traded two days prior, and the safety inspection had not been performed. The dealer told the consumer, he could keep it over the weekend and bring it back the next business day for the safety inspection so they could repair any problems. When the consumer arrived home with the vehicle, he noticed a cover for the seat belt connector was not attached and there was standing water in the spare tire wheel well. The consumer was informed the trunk problem was fixed. However, water was found in the spare wheel well again. Also, the check engine light illuminated due to a faulty gas relay switch. The consumer stated two weeks later, the brakes started squealing. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the rear wheel bearings replaced. However, the warranty company stated the bearings were not covered under warranty. The warranty company stated their denial of coverage was based on the fact, the vehicle was front-wheel drive. Updated 07/19/12
- Orlando, FL, USA
In cold temperatures (20F), upon driving the car for the first time in the day, there is no play in the brake pedal and complete brake failure. After coasting to a stop and pumping the brakes several times after the car is warmed up, the brakes operate normally. Repair shops have been unable to determine the cause and found no problems with the brake fluid or brake systems. This occurred three days in a row and counting.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The ABS system on the vehicle activates at low speeds. ABS light turns on dashboard. Buzzing sound heard from engine bay while ABS engages. This causes the vehicle to skid when applying moderate pressure on the brake pedal while at low speed. This can be dangerous because if you are forced to suddenly stop the car will keep moving/skidding forward instead of coming to a quick complete stop. I have no air in my brake lines as I had it professionally bled. I also have new brake pads. And my brake fluid is up to the maximum line in the reservoir and clear. I cleaned all four ABS sensors and replaced the one sensor that is common to malfunction on this vehicle. Turns out it is the ABS actuator that has to be replaced which is a $1,200+ part from Nissan. This seems to be a very common problem on the 2004-2007 maxima and 2005-2006 Nissan Altima, as per research performed on public forums in reference to the aforementioned vehicles. This is of a major safety concern since the vehicle is not able to stop how it is meant to stop. On the contrary, vehicle feels like it is braking on a road filled with pebbles.
- Miami, FL, USA
Each winter since I purchased the car, during cold weather, when car is first started, brakes do not work. It is like they are frozen and the brake pedal will not depress unless forced. Once I get the pedal to go down, the pedal must be pumped numerous times to get them to work. Once car is warmed, they will work. This is a 3.5 SE model. The dealership cannot locate any problem.
- Manahawkin, NJ, USA
I was driving in the cold weather for about 5 min, using my brakes normally, and I went to apply the brakes on my 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE and the didn't move, once I started pumping them as hard as I could (was out of seat standing on them) they finally worked.
- Ottawa, 00, USA
During cold weather, I experienced what felt like a seized braking system. The weather was close to 0 and when I attempted to stop, the brake pedal would not depress to the floor and the car would not stop. After pressing with both legs as hard as I could, the pedal gave and the car stopped. Research led me to replace the brake vacuum assist line in this and my wifes 05 Altima. Purchased both items through the dealer and if there is a recall on this issue, I would love a refund as Nissan should take care of this issue.
- Brooklyn Center, MN, USA
When the weather gets very cold the brakes on my Altima 3.5 will seem to lock up and not want to let me brake. Feels as if someone has stuck a brick under the pedal. I have heard many many complaints and people that have had the same problem. I would do something about this asap. I've replaced the part already for this. For the 3.5 part number is 47430-8J100. The 2.5 is 8J000.
- Offutt Afb, NE, USA
I have had nothing but problems from my 2005 Altima that I purchased new in Sept 05. The first week I owned the vehicle my engine light came on and the vehicle was very sluggish from takeoff, I then called the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and was told that all Nissan are sluggish and need to be driven to get the "newness from the vehicle" what kind of crap is that. About 6 months ago, I noticed that my brakes are squealing and my tires needed to be replaced, I don't even have 20K miles on my vehicle so this is very mysterious to me. Nissan in my opinion does not listen to its customers and claims to be the very best towards their customers on the commercials but in reality they are just another big company making money at the expense of "use to be loyal" customers". every complaint on this board I can agree with which is sad for I to have experienced the seat belts, sharp bar under the passengers seat, engine and passenger seat air bag light so basically all we have is an expensive good looking non-working pieces of crap. So thank you very much Nissan. Signed - will never ever ever purchase another Nissan in my life.
- Weirton, WV, USA
: the contact stated while taking the vehicle in for recall work, the dealership determined the rear brakes were corroded. The pads and rotors were replaced. The vehicle was located in a salt belt state.
- Enfield, CT, USA
: the contact stated while accelerating the transmission hesitates to shift. And when it shifts, it is a rough transition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who changed the ground wire. This did not correct the problem therefore the dealer determined the transmission needed to be replaced. Also, while depressing the brake pedal the brakes squeaked and when driving at 10 mph the brakes made a squeaking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four occasions. The first time dust was blown off the brakes. On the second and third visit the brake pads were replace. The fourth time, the brakes were determined to be 'glazed' and nothing could be done to repair the problem.
- Hemet, CA, USA
2005 Altima left driver side brakes and rotors wore out at 22,000 miles.
- Corinth, NY, USA
I purchased a 05 Altima S in August and at 4000 mi the brakes started to grind and make noise, I took the vehicle into the dealer and they replaced the brakes and resurfaced the rotors. A week later the brakes began making noises again and grinding, I took the vehicle back and the dealer said that the factory said the have to show them something is wrong with the ca and that they couldn't duplicate the problem. I took the car back a week later and once again complained of the braked grinding and noise and this time I recorded the noise on my cell phone and played it for the service advisor to hear. The service manager told me that if it was dangerous it would be making the noise all the time an that everything looked fine. I called the manufacturer and filed a complaint and was advised to take the car to the purchasing dealer, or another dealer to get a second opinion as they purchasing dealer tends to take care of their "babies" I stated that that should be a company policy for Nissan not a dealer policy and that I am scared to drive the vehicle as brakes are a required safety feature.
- West Covina, CA, USA
Since I got the vehicle I had problems with it. The vehicle does not want to turn on, the key does not turn I have to jiggle with it so it can turn on. The brakes are making a lot of noise at least that is what I think the noise is.for the time I have had the vehicle there is no reason for it to be doing what it is doing I don't want a car like this that is the reason I got a new vehicle to have no problems and that is all its given me.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- River Edge, NJ, USA