Used 2005 Nissan Altima Consumer Reviews
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Beware!
Nathan, 02/22/2016
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
13 of 19 people found this review helpful
When test driving this car I thought it was peppy and cornered very well. After having it for 3 months I had to replace the camshaft sensors, ignition coil, and spark plugs. A month later I was told my catalytic converter was shot. Now that I've owned it for ten months i need to have the tie rods and power steering pump fixed. DO NOT BUY THIS P.O.S.!
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DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!
WOULD RATHER GET A HONDA, 10/12/2016
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
9 of 13 people found this review helpful
When we purchased my Altima, it was a cheap 3500. Except, it wasn't. My parents ended up dishing out another 1k to fix some of the issues it had in the first week. The O2 sensors had to be replaced, it burned oil, there was a coolant leak and blockage. The heat also didn't work properly as you had to drive 40mph for it to kick in. Plus some other issues such as misfiring and me being stranded on a busy backroad. The mpg also went down when we tried to slow the burning with stop smoke. All of this and more happened before I sold it for a measly 1k, which is more than I thought we would receive. Granted, my parents never told me or they didn't know that this particular vehicle had been in two accidents and had flood damage. Of course, the other '05 Altima they got for my sister also burns oil and other issues have come up in the period she has had it. I wouldn't recommend buying a Nissan.
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Instrument panel not the best.
Sherry, 10/11/2017
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Recently had the turn signal indicators go out on the instrument panel. Inquired @ the Nissan dealer about repair. Was told that it is not a simple fix with a fuse. They said it was a burned-out bulb. Was told that the entire dashboard would have to be removed...involving extensive labor charges .....all that expense just to replace a little bulb. Am very disappointed in this scenario. I decided to forget about it. (Exterior turn signals work ). '05 Altima has been a good car. The mfgs. just don't want any self-maintaince ....
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Car ok Floor Rotted out.
Kris Keith, 08/17/2017
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This vehicle has been fairly reliable. It has had the crank position and cam position sensors both fail at different times. This is fairly easy and cheep repair if you have any knowledge, but the latest problem that Nissan knows about and refuses to fix is much more expensive and requires special tools. The floor boards on 2002- 2006 Altima's rots out leaving a gaping hole under the drivers and passengers feet. They even had a class action suit flied against them but it was denied by a judge. This car was bought new and has been taken care of no other spots on this car have any rust at all.
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Altima rides on
Tom Haines, 03/25/2017
updated 09/26/2018
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan w/SL Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This one-owner sedan had a flawless repair record (occasional brake replacement) for its first decade. However, recently needed front driver floor replaced (probably road salt cumulative effect). Driver (my bad) tried to park over an icy snow mound in driveway and unfortunately underside plastic bumper lost that battle, resulting In bumper dent driver side. Mild body dent in passenger rear panel that is only visible from certain angles. Still gets 26mpg and rides and handles more than capably. Tires have under 7,000 miles and interior has no rips or even apparent wear of microfiber /cloth interior. Air conditioning was recently recharged and works like new.
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gutsy family hauler
as, 08/18/2006
2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE-R 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Approx. 2500 mi. driven on a 2005 SE-R bought used, mixed higway and city. This is a car that begs to be driven hard: self restraint is sometimes difficult to exercise. Performance is exciting, even if not exhilarating, much more than enough for the daily grind--you can have some serious fun on occasions. The car strikes a good balance between comfort and performance; but sure it is not a floaty luxury cruiser. Nobody complained about it, however, on an 800-mi highway ride with 4 adults. Creature comforts are OK, fairly simple except for the fancy bose sound and the leather seats that smell so nice. Overall, I got 25-26 mpg paying some attention to my driving, with some fun at times.
Why not to buy Altimas from an Engineer
daveed, 06/24/2004
2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had multiple problems with my 2005 3.5SE. I have been to the dealer 4 times in 3 months for different reasons. Nissan consumer help is lacking in technical knowledge, and always says, "That is normal operation." The alignment will not stay straight, radio reception is poor, A/C won't shut off until the car is turned off, rear view mirror is impossible to see out of at night (dangerous!), glare from front and rear dashboards obstructs view, and it doesn't get that good of gas mileage. So overall, the designers of this car did not think through their comfort factor of the car, only the power and the looks.
Poor
altima2.5s, 12/05/2008
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 S 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased the car and less than 200 miles and the transmission does not want to shift out of park, The interior brake light will only come on when the shifter wants to come out of park. The exterior brake lights come on but thats not the problem, the transmission can be released by a pushing a key into the key release slot. But its definitely a hassle to have to have to put a key in there every time to shift into a different position. And that's what the dealership told me to do.
after 4 months, still no regrets
James, 02/12/2005
2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I finally bought the 2005 Altima 3.5se with leather sport package, Bose stereo system, fully loaded except for Nav. It took me 8 months to decide on a car and I am so glad I bought this one. I read lots of mediocre reviews, but I only have the most positive things to say about this car. Heard things like interior felt cheap and the stereo was poor quality. I can not agree. The stereo is crystal clear 99% of the time and picks up stations in L.A. which is 150 miles away! Leather is superb, nothing feels cheap about the car. In fact, went test driving some B.M.W 's with a friend and we both liked my Nissan better! It's roomie, sturdy, powerful, and classy. 100% what I wanted!
Stalling issues
JT, 06/15/2006
2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The car looks great and is usually fun to drive. The 2.5 engine is really loud at high speeds. When driving on the freeway for an hour or more at a time, the transmission gets stuck and will try to idle in 3rd gear when it comes to a stop, causing the car to stall. The Nissan dealer could not find any problems and they didn't know what to do about it. The problem has gotten worse on each trip that I've taken.
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