Ascetically car is fine, only problem is transmission started failing at about 98,000 miles... car began jerking when hitting gas pedal after a stop or red light, then progressively began to get worse. Eventually at around 100,000 completely failed (can still shift and go in reverse, however when car is in drive "D" car will not shift beyond first gear).

Upsetting that I have purchased a car that is in great condition and cannot drive because of this issue... its been a burden to my family because we have had to adjust work schedules for work for both my wife and I because we cannot drive one of our cars... Really upset that Nissan has known about this problem and is not willing to help fix this VERY expensive issue for their consumers..

For starters I've had a rattling noise coming from my transmission at about 88,000 miles. The dealer advised me that it was the timing chain and that it shouldn't be a failure in that part at that mileage. I guess the timing chain finally gave up on me. While I was driving today the car roughly shifted gears and lost acceleration. The RPM would rev really high when I tried to accelerate. Luckily I wasn't on the highway driving or else that would have been a bigger headache and a more dangerous situation. Needless to say when I first purchased the car there was a transmission failure but that was covered under the warranty. I am no longer confident in the NISSAN brand!

It is very disheartening to know that a car with only 66,698 miles on it and maintained very well can have a transmission problem. Also, now that I am having this problem, I have researched the internet and note that Nissan has had a problem with the 2005 Altima and the transmission and no one has every mentioned this. My car has only been served at a Nissan dealership the entire time I have had the car. You would think they would have been honest and told me about the problem. Thankfully the mechanic that I took the car to, was an honest individual and told me the truth. This has definitely changed my mind about buying another Nissan.

Update from Jul 16, 2015: I contacted Nissan about this problem and really didn't expect to hear from them. I received a phone call from a customer service person that had no idea how to respond to my complaints. His response to me was that there was no recall on the transmission and therefore Nissan was not required to notify their customers. I told him it would have been helpful if they had notified the dealerships so that their mechanics knew and could have been on the lookout. My car had only been serviced by a Nissan dealership since I purchased it. He said he knew that as they had spoken to the dealership and confirmed that I had complied with everything the service department had recommended I had done on the vehicle. I have since spent $3,200 and have new transmission in my car. (not from Nissan) and will definitely not go back with Nissan in the future due to their failure to care about their customers. They are there with their hands out, but are not there for their customers. Seriously disappointed!!

I purchased a 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE with 58K miles on it two years ago; thinking I got a good deal. How wrong I was! When the car reached 71k, the automatic transmission burned up completely and required a $2800 rebuild. Simultaneously, the cam idle sensor went out. After replacing the sensor, the bill grew to $3000. Was told the design of the transmission was terrible by the mechanics and that such failures with the sensor were common in Altimas of this year.

The car's transmission still staggers like a drunkard after the rebuild. Not only that, I had to replace a front wheel bearing ($300), engine mounts ($300), and both CV axles ($780) in immediate succession all before the car reached 90K. The timing chain and tensioner started going out before 90k too because it started sounding like a rabid dog raping a chicken underneath the timing cover. That repair will cost $3000.

I bought the car for a little over $12,000 and it has depreciated terribly. I can't repair the timing chain issue because it would be insanity to put any more money into this piece of junk. This car should go down in history as a failure like the Dodge K- Car, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, and the Cadillac Cimarron. I will never own a Nissan again.