Problems · by component

2005 Nissan Altima steering problems

31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Altima cite steering, 3% of all 1,091 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
31
3% of all complaints
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 unknown diagnosis was made, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and while at a complete stop at the red traffic light. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the crankshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2025Steering, Engine and engine coolingODI 11666604
“Car engine cuts off. After that I have no power steering, no acceleration, brakes need to be pumped. The first years of me owning the car I had the sensors replaced by auto shop and dealership under extended car warranty. Pretty much been replacing the sensors ever since for the past 8 years. I believe I replaced over 10 sensors of the time I owned my Nissan. I can be on the hallway, streets anywhere with out any warnings my car engine will stop. It has to do with turning back on the car while it's warm. That's when I seen the problem the most.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2022Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineCrash reportedODI 11481540
“NISSAN HAS RECALLED MY CAR UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN # 3213-3192, FOR ROTTED REAR SUBFRAME DUE TO NORTH EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN WINTER CLIMATE AND USE OF SALT. NISSAN REPLACED THE SUBFRAME . THE RECALL SHOULD AND MUST INCLUDE THE FRONT SUBFRAME ALSO. THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH ROTTED SUBFRAME OCCURRED WITH THE FRONT SUBFRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEELS, STEERING & BRAKING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE INTO NISSAN REASON FOR NOT EXTENDING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE BOTH SUBFRAMES NOT ONE FOR IDENTICAL CONDITIONS. AT THE MINIMUM , NISSAN SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED UNDERCOATING TO PROTECT THE REST OF THE FRAME & SUBMEMBERS TO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR REPLACEMENT & UNDERCOATING. IT IS OBVIOUS THE CAR WAS NOT PREPARED FOR USE IN NEW ENGLAND STATES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. *DSY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2018Steering, SuspensionODI 11115460
“TAKATA RECALL MY CAR KEEPS DYING OUT OF NO WHERE. THE BATTERY LIGHT IS ON, THE OIL LIGHT IS ON, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I WENT TO OREILLYS AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR:”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2018Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11103060
“MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND OVER CORRECTED IN A CURVE. SHE HIT A TREE AND THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS HELD BACK BY THE SEAT BELT HER HEAD IMPACTING THE CENTER OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT HINGING ITSELF AT THE TOP AND MAKING TWO VERY POINTED AND SHARP EDGES ON EACH BOTTOM CORNER. THE RIGHT BOTTOM POINT PIERCED THE SKIN BETWEEN HER NOSE AND THE CORNER OF HER LEFT EYE MISSING IT BY LESS THAN A SIXTEENTH OF AN INCH AND BREAKING HER NOSE. THE DANGEROUS PART IS THE TWO SHARP POINTS ON THE FLAP WHERE THE AIR BIG DEPLOYED SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2015Steering, Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 10747696
“FRONT SUB-FAME SEVERELY RUSTED OUT, WHICH SUPPORTS ENGINE AND CONTROL ARMS, MUST BE REPLACED. SAFETY IS COMPROMISED.....UPDATED10/20/15 *BF UPDATED 11/07/2017*”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2015Steering, Suspension, EngineODI 10732302

Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.