CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Nissan Altima has two fairly significant problems with the floor pan rusting through & motor mounts breaking.

Altima owners report that up to a basketball-size hole develops under the floor mats where the floor pan metal rusts through. Average repair cost is over $1,000.

The broken motor mounts are less of a problem - they break at ~75,000 miles average & it's $400 to fix. Still, motor mounts should not break!

7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,480
Average Mileage:
119,100 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (19 reports)
  2. tcm needs replacement (4 reports)
2005 Nissan Altima transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jul 012018

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this NIssan with 67,000 miles on it. I've had it for less than 12,000 and already I've had to repair so much: wheel bearings, alternator, water pump, shocks, transmission service, really too much. I was under the false impression that Nissan was a quality brand! It's not. I will NEVER buy another Nissan.

Transmission started jerking when shifting from first to second gear when the engine is cold. Had it serviced, transmission flush, new oem gasket. Still doing it until it reaches operating temperature, then it stops. I just read service bulletin NTB05-001 AT04-014. Come on!

Really bad terminal?

Nissan should fix this.

- Claudia M., Port Charlotte, FL, US

problem #22

Jul 122017

Altima Limited 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 210,000 miles

It was disappointing when it started because it was in top shape, could have asked top dollar, now worthless.!

- Bruce A., Jacksonville, US

problem #21

Apr 292017

Altima SL 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 131,944 miles

Transmission jerks so bad when shifting, it broke the motor and trans mounts. Engine hesitates from transmission so bad I can't drive it. Nissan makes a piece of SH*T car with its P>O

- Wendell S., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #20

Mar 292017

Altima SL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Problem for me started when a crankshaft position sensor was changed out, before that, I had no issues. Now I have 3, but only one with the transmission.

- Sarah B., Raleigh, US

problem #19

Apr 042017

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 166,390 miles

Transmission shift roughly between gears, hesitates while accelerating and stops or jerks.

- Ieschia Z., Macon, US

problem #18

Feb 012016

Altima 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

I bought my Nissan Altima in Oct. of 2015 from my Grandpa. He bought it brand new in 2004. It only had 93,000 miles on it when I got it. Around the first of the year, I started having transmission problems. It started with a really loud humming, and now the transmission is jerking and it shifts extremely rough also. I've done research online and I keep seeing the same problem everywhere I look. Nissan should be held accountable for the transmission problems. I should not have to pay out of pocket to fix a problem, which occurred at only 100,000 miles!!

- Kristal M., Claremore, OK, US

problem #17

Mar 102016

Altima 2.5S 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,508 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my Nissan Altima 2.5S brand new in 2005. It's been meticulously maintained. Very low mileage (74,508). Problem started 2016 when the car is cold transmission jerks from 1-2 gears. It became more and more troublesome. I took it a transmission shop and they had to rebuild the transmission, R&R transmission, Master Rebuild Kit, Filter, Direct Band, Bushing Kit, Transmission Fluid, Rebuilt Torque Converter, Valvebody. Price $2,745.66!

What a shock to have a transmission go out so soon on a low mileage car. This major repair tells me never buy another Nissan. I've had two Toyotas that lasted 13 years each, were sold to private parties and are still on the road today. Those transmissions never went bad. Don't buy Nissan products.

- sylviaco, Wheat Ridge, CO, US

problem #16

Nov 112015

Altima LS 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 110,000 miles

It started jerking last year and at first I thought it was in my driving, but then it never stopped. It seems to do it when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Had the transmission fluid replaced but no change.

- David V., Moreno Valley, CA, US

problem #15

Mar 182016

Altima 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,000 miles

Nissan really needs to step up and reimburse the owners and fix the crappie issues quick!!!!!!

- Brandie N., Opp, AL, US

problem #14

Jun 302014

Altima

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

The car is slow to change gear and when you stop and put in reverse it takes a long time to engage and when it does it jerks really bad. When you put it down in drive it takes a while to take off and also with a jerk.

- Pat S., Eidson, TN, US

problem #13

Jun 152012

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I tried everything and nothing worked so far...I tried Sea Foam and I'm still waiting to see results or feel results.

- Malcolm B., Woodstock, VA, US

problem #12

Jun 102015

Altima SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,695 miles

Seems that everything is going at one time. Nissan lost it's edge when they left Japan. Among all the other things that went wrong with this car this month, the transmission is the worst.The transmission is banging into gear and it is a very violent action. It there out a code and from what Autozone said code (P0797) indicates that the Pressure Control Solenoid Valve C is stuck on.

I imagine that this is quite a common problem with this year make and, model after reading other complaints. I am taking it to the shop Monday and it looks like the part price is $265-500. I can't imagine what the labor will cost.

For a vehicle that has been meticulously maintained this is ridiculous. It's as if they are putting in cheap parts from China or something. I can hear Honda/Acura, Lexus/Toyota calling my name. NEVER AGAIN NISSAN!

Update from Aug 1, 2015: Car has a hidden code PO 797 which involves faulty control solenoid valves. It will not shift into fifth gear and, the estimated repair cost is $1,800.00. I will NEVER buy another Nissan made in the USA. Japan got it right!

- quicksilva05, Shelby, NC, US

problem #11

May 012015

Altima 3.5ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,345 miles

My 2005 Nissan Altima feels like it is braking when I let off the gas pedal a little and then it feels like it is picking up speed again. It mostly does this at below 15 miles an hour and between 40 and 50 miles an hour. It sounds like it is reeving up at times and then you can feel it brake or reduce speed, but feels like a slight jerk. It does it repeatedly between the speeds mentioned above. I also wanted to mention that it goes from 1.5 rpm to 2 rpm at these times and in a stopped position my rpm is 1 and if I let my foot off of the brake the car will move forward.The braking feeling or shifting down (not sure which) is one second and then about 30 seconds later I feel an acceleration for a few seconds then levels off and repeats if I don't press on the gas pedal.

- c_threet, Beaufort, SC, US

problem #10

Jul 012014

Altima 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,000 miles

About 8 months ago my transmission started slipping. I have worried about it since then but haven't had the money to fix it. I finally got it in the shop and now they are having all kinds of issues getting another transmission to work. Nissan should own up to this if it's their problem. There is no reason that I should be completely screwed because my car cannot even be fixed.

- jessican, Springdale, AR, US

problem #9

Feb 012014

Altima LS 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles

Transmission engages only after several seconds when shifting from reverse to drive/overdrive. Will shift immediately if shift to first and then shift to drive after moving. Nobody seems to think this is a problem or have a solution. Problem seems more pronounced when car is cold.

- Ron V., Richardson, TX, US

problem #8

Jan 152015

Altima S 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 74,565 miles

I bought this 2005 Nisan Altima 2.5S from Karmax Auto Broker Windsor and same day I noticed there are transmission jerks in the car when it shifts gear from 1st to 2nd or it crosses the speed of 20km. I don't know how I missed it during test drive maybe because of I drive it only for 5 minutes during test drive. Dealership gave me warranty of 3 months so tried to fix it but couldn't as even he don't know what the problem is. so later he was not even accepting this is a problem because there is no code on scanner. Even a technical bulletin issued by Nissan didnt work But I found lots and lots of people on Internet complaining about same problem and no one listens them Later I brought this car to Nissan Dealership (I have proof) and they charged me 125$ just to see if its a problem or not and mechanic over there simply refused and said its not a problem because its almost in 80% of nissan altimas with year 2003, 04, 05. So I asked him if its manufacturing fault he completely disagreed. But when I said if he can give me in written what he is saying or if he can just give me in written there is no problem with the transmission I'll agree. Then he made a U turn in his wording specially when he got to know I am going back to the guy I bought it from to get it fixed. So he gave me in writing that its Valve Body needs replacement and gave me estimate of $2100 and he was still not sure if it can be fixed. I am a student here, I bought this car after doing all kind of part time jobs and expected it be a good car and spent lot of money on it but no one is there to fix it. Now I don't have even have 1% of trust in Nissan cars as these are very unreliable and company is not accepting its fault. I'm definitely going to be one of their worst reviewer and will never ever recommend anyone to buy Nissan if don't fix my car. So I request nissan if they can help me with something to get this car fixed.

- Parveen A., Windsor, Ontario, canada

problem #7

Nov 252014

Altima SE-R 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

My 2005 Altima has just started jerking and slamming into gear after the car is warm and driven for about 15mins and up. Did a little research and apparently there is a known problem that Nissan has failed to acknowledge officially and it has to do with faulty valve bodies on these cars.

So if you are having the same problem have a mechanic check out your vehicles valve body to see if it needs replacing instead of the entire transmission which is extremely costly. I've checked around and a valve body repair can range from $1100.00 to around $1500.00 depending on the shop and the labor costs. Wish Nissan would just do a recall already and save its consumers the money.

- 123morgan, Bayonne, NJ, US

problem #6

Jun 012013

Altima 2.5 S 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Transmission jerks mainly at low speeds like from going to 1 to 2 gear like if it was a manual car. At first I thought it was cool but then why is it even doing this. ???

- hustleman92, New York, NY, US

problem #5

Dec 012013

Altima SE 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Around December, I started having issues after cranking my car up. It would be fine in reverse. However, whenever I would put in drive, I would experience a problem. The car would begin to stutter or hesitate to go. The problem has become worse. I have been told that I will have to have the transmission replaced. Unfortunately, I am unable to do that at this time. However, if this is a common problem, its seems that this should be a recall from Nissan.

- thenderson2, Midfield, AL, US

problem #4

Mar 012012

Altima S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

The car shifts hard from 1-2 AND when you shift from park to Reverse OR Drive the transmission SLAMS into gear. The whole car surges and you hear a "clunk". I bought my 05 Altima with 30,000 miles on it from a dealer in St. Augustine, FL. Within 1 month I knew something was wrong with the car and transmission. I had it replaced under warranty. The problem went away for a while. Fast forward 1-2 years later and at 60,000 miles the same thing was happening again. A better dealer replaced the transmission and a few more things but I'm not sure which tsb's (I need to call and check). Problem went away for a while. Now at 100,000 the problem is back in full force and I'm waiting for the day the transmission will completely quit and strand my family. Sometimes I can duplicate the hard shift if i'm in 1-2gear and coasting around a corner (right seems to work best) and accelerate out of the turn. It will noticeably clunk into the next gear. Hot/Cold engine or temperature outside hasn't seemed to matter. I thought I really liked my Nissan but I don't know if I'd ever buy another one again because of all of the problems I'm having. If anyone has any similar problems please write back with your symptoms and solutions.

- simcole, Denver, NC, US

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