2005 Nissan Altima Steering Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11666604

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11481540

Incident

Aug 19, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11115460

Incident

Jul 20, 2018

Mileage

141,000 mi

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:

NHTSA ID

11103060

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

181,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10747696

Incident

Jul 1, 2015

Mileage

116,000 mi

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*

NHTSA ID

10732302

Incident

Jul 6, 2015

Mileage

72,000 mi

FIRST THING I NOTICED THE RUSTING OF THE FLOOR UNDERNEATH THE SCREW BOLTS HOLDING DOWN THE DRIVER SEAT TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED, MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THAT SCREW BOLT SNAPS OR PULL AWAY FROM THE FLOOR BOARD THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHILE MAKING A TURN AND THE SEAT SLIPS OUT OF PLACE WHILE TURNING. I QUESTIONED THIS AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THIS PAST DECEMBER 2014 WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE 61,000 MILE CHECK UP. THEN I ALSO WAS TOLD THAT MY STEERING HAD CONTAMINATION IN IT, WHICH FROM JANUARY OF 2005 NISSAN IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT PERFORMS MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. I CAME HOME AND LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET ABOUT ANY RECALLS ON NISSAN CONCERNING STEERING PROBLEMS. I HAD READ WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN CAR WRECKS CONCERNING THE STEER GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10682665

Incident

Dec 3, 2014

WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AS I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A TURN. THE STEERING LOCKED UP, AND I HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID GOING OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO FATAL INJURY. HAD TO GET CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT, CAM SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10596620

Incident

May 13, 2008

Mileage

30,000 mi

I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED MY VEHICLE STALLING AS I WAS DRIVING. IT TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES FOR ME TO RESTART LEAVING ME VENERABLE TO A VEHICLE CRASH. THE SAME EVENING I LEARNED OF RECALL# 07V527000. THE FOLLOWING DAY I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL RESOLVED. THEY ADVISED THE RECALL ONLY COVERS REPROGRAMMING COMPUTER NOT REPLACING DEFECTIVE CRANK SENSOR. I FEEL THAT REPROGRAMMING COMPUTER WILL NOT RESOLVE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD FAIL EVEN WITH REPROGRAMMING COMPUTER. I WAS CHARGED 96.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART. TO MY UNDERSTANDING MANY OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ARE FORCED TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT FAIL.DEALER DID NOT OFFER TO REPROGRAM COMPUTER THEY INSISTED THAT ONLY REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART WOULD RESOLVE MY ISSUE WHICH WAS NOT COVERED BY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557123

Incident

Dec 22, 2013

Mileage

46,500 mi

THE FIRST TIME CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE SECOND TIME IT STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TURNING AND THE STEER GOT REAL STIFF. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS REAL SCARY!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10515383

Incident

May 22, 2013

Mileage

109,306 mi

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2008 AND HAS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, FIRST HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING KNUCKLE BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS GOING OUT ($400) THAN HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR MOUNTS, STRUTS, INNER/OUTER TIE RODS, I HAVE NO HEAT WHEN AT IDLE, WHILE PUTTING NEW TIRES ON AGAIN, I ALSO LEARNED MY FLOOR BOARDS ARE ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH, AND NOW I CAN NOT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO IT STARTED SUCKING DOWN OIL ( 4 QTS WITHIN A 3-6 HOUR TIME FRAME) AND IT'S SMOKING BAD OUT THE TAIL PIPE BECAUSE OF THE HEAD GASKET/PISTON RINGS CAUSED BY A FAULTY PRE-CAT, AND TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2.5L ENGINE FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ON A 2006 MODEL, WHAT ABOUT MY 2005 MODEL WITH SAME ENGINE?? SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FIND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUES IN 2002-2006 ALTIMA'S, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10497585

Incident

Jan 25, 2013

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY STEERING GOT VERY HARD TO STEER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476747

Incident

Sep 17, 2012

Mileage

64,119 mi

THE VEHICLE STEERING BINDS WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND FAILS TO RECOVERTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT MANUAL ASSIST. REPLACEMENT OF LOWER STEERING JOINT ASSEMBLY AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS REQUIRED.

NHTSA ID

10397884

Incident

Apr 22, 2011

Mileage

46,041 mi

THE VEHICLE STEERING BINDS WHEN TURNING AND FAILS TO RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WITHOUT MANUALLY RETURNING IT TO THE NEUTRAL (STRAIGHT) POSITION.

NHTSA ID

10397759

Incident

Mar 11, 2011

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ABNORMALLY CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD SPRAY WD-40 ON THE STEERING KNUCKLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE FAILURE CAUSING A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

10390593

Incident

Nov 17, 2010

Mileage

108,000 mi

TL* THE DRIVER OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT, ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER, STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND BURNED THE DRIVER'S HANDS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO OTHER INJURIES WERE REPORTED OTHER THAN THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR BODY DAMAGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10390059

Incident

Mar 7, 2011

Mileage

120,000 mi

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA, AND I RECENTLY TOOK THE CAR IN BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO BE GOING OUT. THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT ONCE YOU TURN THE WHEEL MORE THAN 1/4 TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARMER, THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS SERIOUS; BUT IN COLD WEATHER, THE CAR BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THE U-JOINT ON THE LOWER SECTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN IS GOING BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DID A SEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM, AND I FOUND SEVERAL BLOGS INDICATING OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE (75,000 MILES). *TR

NHTSA ID

10339992

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

72,000 mi

OOO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315631

Incident

Jan 1, 2004

Mileage

25 mi

2005 ALTIMA BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT HAD RUSTED AND SEIZED. (HE FELT THE SEALS ON THE SHAFT ARE DEFECTIVE.) HE HAD TO BACKORDER THE PART, SO THERE APPEARS TO BE A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. (ONE DEALER HAD FOURTEEN IN STOCK AND ALL WERE ACCOUNTED FOR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10264838

Incident

Mar 23, 2009

Mileage

108,215 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER FAILED. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COUPLER AT THE COST OF $300, BUT IT IS CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10263269

Incident

Mar 1, 2009

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH A STEERING DEFECT. SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO COLLISION REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT CUPLER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ THE INNER TIE ROD WAS REPLACED AND THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED. UPDATED 03/16/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10259122

Incident

Feb 6, 2009

Mileage

87,000 mi

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL RACK FAILED, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO DRIFT INTO OTHER LANES. AT THAT SAME MOMENT I SMELLED THIS HORRIBLE BURNING. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A BLOCK TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THERE IS WHERE I FOUND OUT THAT MY STEERING WHEEL RACK WENT OUT AND THE COST TO REPLACE IT WOULD BE $1700 FOR NISSAN PARTS AND $1296 FOR I BELIEVE REFURBISHED PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245642

Incident

Oct 15, 2008

Mileage

85,000 mi

NISSAN PART #480808J000 CALLED THE COUPLING SHAFT & COLUMN LOCKED UP ON ME, CAUSING MY STEERING TO GO OUT IN MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AS IT WAS, TRIED TO DO A U-TURN, STEERING WENT AND ALL MOST HIT A BUILDING. I WAS TOLD THIS PART WAS ON BACK ORDER NATION WIDE AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WOULD BE IN. I DO HAVE THE NEW PART, KEPT THE OLD PART AND IF YOU TRY TO MOVE THE BOTTOM SHAFT PORTION, THAT SHOULD MOVE FREELY, YOU HAVE TO WRENCH ON IT TO MOVE THE PART, IT IS RUSTED. IF YOU ARE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT MIGHT GO AT 21,000 OR 50,000 MILES, I HAVE 51,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND IT WENT, THE SHOP HAD A VEHICLE THAT MATCHED MINE EXCEPT FOR MILEAGE 21,000 AND THE PART WENT OUT 6 WEEKS BEFORE MINE DID AND THAT OWNER WAS STILL WAITING ON THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225576

Incident

Apr 8, 2008

Mileage

511,467 mi

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GIVE MY VEHICLE GAS AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, I HEARD A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I BEGAN TO GIVE THE VEHICLE GAS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO TURN. I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND AS A RESULT, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING COLUMN FELT AS THOUGH IT DID NOT HAVE POWER STEERING AT THE TIME. WHEN MY VEHICLE CAME TO REST, I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEDIAN AND HAD ADDITIONALLY TAKEN OUT SEVERAL ROADS SIGNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY AND INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE RIGHT TIE ROD HAD BROKEN. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, THE RADIATOR WAS BUSTED, HEADLIGHT BUSTED AND MANY OTHER COSTLY EXPENSES. AT PRESENT TIME, MY VEHICLE REMAINS IN THE BODY SHOP AWAITING REPAIRS. THIS HAS ENDED UP A VERY COSTLY DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER FOR SOME REIMBURSEMENT! THIS ACCIDENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE POLICE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10175856

Incident

Dec 7, 2006

Mileage

50,000 mi

NEW 2005 ALTIMA 3.5 SE BOUGHT AUGUST 2005 1ST MONTH I HAD NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AT HIGH SPEEDS, AND THE VEHICLE PULLING/DRIFTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THIS CONCERN MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A SENSE OF CONTROL WHEN DRIVING, IN ADDITION WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THE VIBRATION IN THE WHEEL MAKES YOUR HANDS AND ARMS FALL ASLEEP. IT IS ALWAYS NECESSARY AFTER AN HOUR OR HOUR AND A HALF TO PULL OVER AND GIVE YOUR ARMS/ HANDS A REST. THE DEALER ADDRESSED THIS CONCERN BY BALANCING THE WHEELS BY ROAD FORCE BALANCE (CORRECTED SPECS - 21LBS ROAD FORCE DOWN TO 7LBS) NO ALIGNMENT ISSUES WERE NOTICED. AFTER 3 TIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE VIBRATIONS I HAD NOTICED A CLUNK IN THE FRONT END, IT ENDED UP BEING A STRUT THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITH THE NEXT TRIP THE DEALERSHIP THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WAS NOW EVIDENT AT ALL SPEEDS, IT WAS STILL DRIFTING, AND A NEW "HUM" HAD DEVELOPED AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER UNABLE TO VERIFY ANY OF MY CONCERNS SUGGESTED THAT I GO FOR A RIDE WITH THE SERVICE MANGER. AFTER THAT RIDE HE SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE MY TIRES SWAPPED FOR NEW ONES OF ANOTHER BRAND. ON MY NEXT TRIP TO THE DEALER THEY SWAPPED ALL 4 OF MY TIRES FOR ANOTHER BRAND NAME AND RE-ALIGNED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND FRONT END. THROUGHOUT THE WINTER THE CAR RAN OK OTHER THAN SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT WOULD KILL MY BATTERY AND THE REAR PILLAR AIRBAGS COMING OUT. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE SPRING THAT I WAS FORCED TO BRING MY CAR DOWN AGAIN FOR THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CLUNK IN THE FRONT END. THE DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY ANY CLUNK IN THE FRONT END BUT AGREED THAT THERE IS AGAIN A VIBRATION AND REMEDIED THE PROBLEM BY ADJUSTING THE STEERING RACK PRE-LOAD. INITIALLY THE VIBRATION WAS REDUCED, BUT WITHIN A MONTH IT WAS BACK. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THAT ADJUSTING THE STEERING RACK PRE-LOAD WAS ONLY A "TEMPORARY FIX" A "BANDAID FOR THE PROBLEM". *JB

NHTSA ID

10159797

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

Mileage

2,000 mi