2005 Nissan Altima 25 S Blue Book Value

2005 Nissan Altima Review: Unreliable Midsize Sedan Buyers Should Avoid

The 2005 Altima can last up to 150,000 miles with engine and transmission problems. At $3,684 - $5,971 it's cheap, but they are expensive to keep running.

Passenger space is great, the V6 engine is quick and the interior materials are high-quality for the price.

There's a lot of road noise, the turning circle is wide for a sedan and the base model is missing anti-lock brakes.

Is the 2005 Nissan Altima a Good Used Car?

No, 2005 is a bad year. Owners complain about high ownership costs, clunking noises, and a lot of rust.
Reliability ratings are poor. There are mechanical improvements for 2006–2008 models.
Performance is poor from the 4-cylinder, but the V6 is good.
The Altima is a safe sedan earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash test ratings.
Fuel economy is good at up to 24 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Reliability of the car and cost of ownership.

250k miles and no major problems or issues its great on gas very reliable and comfortable I plan on driving it till the wheels fall of.

I bought my Altima in 2005. I am still driving the car.

Love my Nissan, never had a problem just the regular maintenance. I have had other cars in my life, but none impressed me more than the Nissan. I have had the Sentra, the Altima and we even had a Nissan truck at one time, wish we still had it. But you cannot buy a better brand out there.

It has great ac and heat. The car works perfectly. It gives me no problems in snow

It get me from point a to point b without any problem

It is dependable when maintained and kept up properly

It is 12 years old and has lasted through the years

This car goes the distance!! It will last for you with little out of pocket.

The car has been very reliable with only basic maintenance needed. It is a great family car with a huge trunk for traveling, strollers, groceries, etc and great on gas mileage.

It's great on gas, I suppose you could consider it an hybrid if wanted.

I like that the vehicle has modern features such as, back camera for reversing and parallel parking. I like that it is good on gas mileage. I also like that my car looks visually appealing.

It's old, my car is 13 years old. It does have less than 150,000 miles tho

I love my car because it's reliable. Although it is old, still in good shape. Parts and maintenance is easy to access and complete.

I would definitely recommend getting an Altima. They are fun to drive and are made SO well!!!

I love my Altima! It has great pickup and drives very nicely!! It gets good gas mileage and even tho it is approaching 200,000 miles, has never had any major problems. It has been a great car!!

Negative Owner Reviews

It is a great car and worth the investment.

I like the gas mileage. I like the size of the car- it can hold 5 adults comfortably. I like the dependability of it.

Bad by design..

Bought mine as a winter beater. It is a crappy car. Not because of maintenance issues but by design. It has been fairly reliable but here are the top 10 design flaws: 1. The car is ugly, just like most other modern cars on the road. 2. Front wheel drive. Rear wheel drive gives better control if you know what you are doing. Unfortunately nobody knows what they are doing anymore. Also the torque steer is unpleasant. 3. It is automatic. You have no control over it. The manual shift positions are too slow to react and it may not do what you ask anyways. 4. The gas pedal can take up to 3 seconds to respond. It is as though it wants to see if you are really serious before the power comes on. 5. Heater doesn't work properly. The heater core is higher than everything else in the system, so all the air bubbles get caught in there and the temp drops off especially when idling. 6. Parts are ridiculously expensive. A tie rod end for $125.00? The same part on my Mustang was $20.00. 7. Too much road noise. Oh yeah, don't try to drive it with the window open...air flow is rough to say the least. 8. ABS and traction control was extremely irritating until it failed - thank God. 9. 3.5 engine sounds wimpy. My hair dryer sounds more powerful. 10. Not good in the snow even with good snow tires. Only good feature of the car is that I can park it anywhere an not worry about door dings and shopping carts because it is so ugly it doesn't matter.

The car is constantly breaking, You fix one thing and another thing breaks.

The air conditioning does not work. It makes a clunking noise. There is rust on it.

Christian B

Nissans have a problem with motor mounts up until 2006 I believe.

I hate that my Nissan breaks down all the time. It has a known problem with motor mounts and it is a pain to deal with. It also has an odd shift lock control unit that is a pain to repair. I like that it was so cheap.

2005 beige Nissan Altima 2.5 S

There is nothing wrong with the car it has brand new everything because of an accident. I just want a standard and I don't like the gold color of the car. It's very reliable and comfortable. A little under 150,000 miles. Brand new radio and body kit.

This particular year was littered with mechanical problems.

My Nissan Altima has had nothing but problems since I purchased it from the dealership. The engine has had to be replaced and many parts have needs replacement. I understand that vehicles need maintenance, but this is excessive. The interior has also not held up well. The paneling around the air conditioner has cracked from heat and the cover over the gauges has also come undone. It does not get great gas mileage for a sedan and the gas gauge is also not functioning properly. The plus sides are that the car does have decent space and that the tires and brakes have lasted a considerable amount of time.

Poor quality and ongoing issues.

This vehicle has had problems since the day I brought it home. I have had to replace the engine and there are always random problems that come up frequently. The interior has not held up well and I have not done anything outside of normal use. Unfortunately, this does not make me trust Nissan and I will most likely never purchase from them again.

Nice body. Good car of it is new.

Drove well when purchased new. Got me to and from my job that was two hours away for years. Recently have had many problems with this car later in its life span. Will fix one thing and something else will break. Have had a new transmission, oil leak, overheats.

What Do Critics Say About the Altima?

Consumer Reports finds the Altima to be noisy, and has very low owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Altima a 4.7/5 liking the powerful V6 engine, and dislike the excessive road noise.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Altima 4.3/5 and enjoy the fuel efficiency, but say it's expensive to own.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Nissan Altima Have?

Problems with the 2005 Altima are fairly serious and include the engine shutting down while driving, the floor rusting out, and rough transmission shifting.

Engines turning off while driving are the most common problem at around 85,000 miles. The problem is usually caused by a failed crankshaft position sensor, which was mentioned in a recall.

A rusted floor pan is another issue showing up at around 115,000 miles. The metal wears out in salty conditions and has to be cut out and replaced for around $1,000 per hole.

Transmissions jerking while changing gears is another complaint at roughly 100,000 miles. The transmission control module usually is the source of the problem, costing about $2,500 to replace.

There are 2 fairly serious recalls including the headlamps, which fail often, and the crankshaft position sensor, which can cause the engine to shut down.

How Long Will the 2005 Nissan Altima Last?

A properly maintained 2005 Altima will last around 150,000 miles, which is 100,000 miles shorter than top competitors including the Toyota Camry. Regular annual maintenance costs are expensive at about $400 per year, according to Repair Pal.

Most 2005 Altimas will have over 100,000 miles, so shoppers should be prepared to replace fuel injectors for $1,000, exhaust manifolds costing $1,400, and intake manifolds which cost $500.

There was a recall on the ecu that could have made it unreliable but fixing it did away with the possibility of breaking down.

It is very reliable. I haven't had any problems with it yet. I change the oil every 5k miles and make sure to rotate my tires.

Besides regular maintenance issues. There are no major issues with the car, but oil needs to be replaced in the car often this problem that does come up a lot.

The 2005 Nissan Altima v6 is a very dependable and reliable vehicle I have ever owned. It does have a few problems with the o2 sensor and it does have quite a few factory recalls.

Some minor ones. Coil packs need replaced and fan blower also. Leaks some oil but not much. Not sure where leak is. Also getting ready to put new clutch and brakes.

Just like any other car I can see electrical problems but for the most part it is a very reliable car.

It is a very reliable car. It has the same problems that most car models have but it is just basic wear and tear that any car experiences.

My 2005 Nissan is a reliable car, its travel to a different start, it takes the whole group together places.

How Much Is the 2005 Nissan Altima Worth?

Blue book values range from $3,684 - $5,971, making the Altima a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Honda Accord or Mazda6. When new, the price range was $18,030 to $29,930. Depreciation is similar to rivals, losing 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Altima?

There are five models of the Altima available. The infotainment technology is very outdated with a redesign coming in 2007.

2.5 is the entry-level model with:

16-Inch Steel Wheels
Cloth Seating
Manual Windows & Locks
4-Speaker AM/FM Stereo

2.5 S is a step up adding:

4-Wheel Disc Brakes
Air Conditioning
Power Locks & Windows
Cruise Control

3.5 SE has some more features such as:

17-Inch Alloy Wheels
Sport Suspension
Fog Lights
Power Driver's Seat
6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System

3.5 SL is the luxury model and has:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Leather Seating
Automatic Climate Control
Bose Stereo System With 6-CD Changer

3.5 SE-R is the performance-oriented model with:

18-Inch Alloy Wheels
6-Speed Manual Transmission
High-Performance Suspension
Rear Spoiler
Black Exterior Trim

What Engines Come In the Altima?

The base engine is a weak 2.5L 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower and gets up to 24 MPG combined.
The 3.5 models come with a powerful 3.5L V6 making 260 horsepower that gets up to 21 MPG combined. Performance is great, taking only 5.9 seconds to reach 60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Altima Come In?

How Big Is the Altima?

The 2005 Altima is an average size midsize sedan similar to the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. Passenger space is good throughout the cabin, but headroom is limited in the backseats for taller adults.

Cargo space is similar to rivals, with 15.6 cubic feet of room in the trunk.

How Does the Altima Compare to the Competition?

The Nissan Maxima is a rival sedan from Nissan in the same price range. Where the Maxima stands out is with more room and a nicer interior, but the Altima handles better. We recommend avoiding both sedans since they have mechanical problems.

The Honda Accord is another similarly priced competitor. Technology and reliability are better in the Accord, but the Altima has higher-quality interior materials. We recommend the Accord, which will last longer.

Ranks #8 Midsize Cars by Owners

Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Altima?

Yes, it is very well made & very fuel efficient. It drives & handles great. It is also very comfortable to travel in.

Yes! It is very spacious & great on gas. I commute about an hour everyday & I am comfortable in the seat for long periods of time.

Yes the vehicle runs well and it pretty durable.I don't have many complaints about the efficiency of the vehicle.

Yes the Nissan Altima se v6 3.5 liter engine is a very good vehicle. It has everything any driver needs for any one of the seasons. I recommend it to anyone of my fellow friends and family members.

Yes it is reliable. Stick shift 5 speed. Lovely white and grey interior. 170,000 miles 2 owners. 1st college student then family with kids owned.

Yes it is a very good car, I like how it drives I also like the interior as it is very comfortable to me.

The Nissan Altima is a very good vehicle. I have had it for a very long time and runs well. I would recommend a Nissan to anyone.

It's a good car, but annoying how you have to buy parts that are connected to others to fix the issues. It's not like you can pull the broken part and switch it. Always connected to another part.

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Hayley F on June 12, 2021

I love it. It's the perfect for my family, and is great on gas

I love my maxima. The heated seats are so great during the winter. It's very roomy and my children have plenty of room.

Christian B on March 26, 2021

Nissans have a problem with motor mounts up until 2006 I believe.

Omegle S on March 21, 2021

My vehicle is very reliable. It's very old but it has given me little problems. The performance is still very good as well.

The Nissan Altima is very reliable and will save you lots of money in repairs.

Jenna A on March 17, 2021

2005 beige Nissan Altima 2.5 S

Robert C on March 17, 2021

My car will go from point a to b with no problem. It'll outlast most vehicles on the road.

Nissan vehicles are very reliable and strong. As long as you keep up regular maintenance, it can go for a long time. Only dislike is that it's so strong when something breaks sometimes it's hard to tell when it first does it.

Meg H on March 14, 2021

Dependable family car - easy on gas!

I have had this car for about 8 years. I have enjoyed driving it. At this point it is 14 years old so my issues with the car are mainly that it has not really been updated. It is pretty comfortable to ride in. My headlights do seem to need to be replaced more often than I'd like. The car does not have a sunroof, seat warmers or an auxiliary cable port, all of which are things that I'd want in a new car. But I like driving it, the trunk is quite spacious, and it has been a dependable car for my family.

Peter K on March 14, 2021

It has great ac and heat. The car works perfectly. It gives me no problems in snow

It get me from point a to point b without any problem

Jessica P on March 10, 2021

Not too sure how to feel about Nissan.

My Nissan is okay but I bought it with problems already so I honestly do not know what the potential of the car is. It is not that great on gas though that I do know I would have just gotten an SUV instead which gets the same amount. An my car shakes when it is going 60 miles per hour an my friends Nissan is doing the same thing so I am guessing that is a Nissan problem.

A K on March 9, 2021

My Nissan is good on gas, and has good miles for long travels

My vehicle is 14 years old and is still hanging in there. It's time for a new one though. My service engine soon light came on today, so I'll be taking my car to the mechanic soon. The most problems that I have had are getting o2 sensors and catalytic converters

Sydney B on March 5, 2021

My car has great gas mileage.

My Nissan Altima is from 2005 and it's all black. It does not have an aux cord and has faulty breaks that make a loud chugging noise.

ann t on March 4, 2021

It handles great & is easy to park. I like the sunroof it's easy to open, close

Some things need improvement. Other than that it's great

me H on March 3, 2021

It is dependable and gets me to where I need to go.

It is a comfortable. It is reliable. It gets good gas mileage and is spacious.

Michael B on February 28, 2021

The color and leather are amazing

The car drives smoothly has very luxurious seats and doesn't have many maintenance problems. The car has leather seats which are great. And I bought it used with 5,000 miles on it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It the car also gets great gas mileage. It is definitely worth it

Lina W on February 24, 2021

It is very reliable and easy to fix if somethings not working.

I don't really have very many problems with my Nissan and the little problems I do have are easily fixable. The performance is great and it is very reliable. It comfortable enough but I will need to upgrade. Having a family of 5 my Nissan is no longer specious enough for us. Because I bought it 2nd hand, I never got to experience Its original features. What I got was put in by the original owner. Overall I enjoy the car.

Noel P on February 18, 2021

A pretty reliable vehicle.

Pretty decent car that has lasted a while, good mid-size car, that performs well. The drive is pretty smooth and handles well. Pretty comfortable ride. Only major problem was to replace the drive chain. Would consider replacing the it with the latest model.

Pascal D on February 18, 2021

A car for Cruising along in comfort.

The car experiences dull seals that can create transmission leaks than need a special transmission fluid to fix. The car can experience starter problems but fortunately the starter is very easy to reach right under the air pump, and requires only a few tools to fix, and gets you a great value back for selling the starter core back to an automotive company.

Mary A on February 13, 2021

Great bang for your buck car.

Very reliable, barely has issues, comfortable, has great legroom, good performance, good mpg. Cheap to fix if broken.

Monica D on February 11, 2021

Machine and design is very neat.

Nissan is a very good car, but my car is so old and previous owner didn't take good care of it so now it has Its consequences but overall is good.

Kiara W on February 8, 2021

Okay car but there are some problems.

The back windows do not work. 3 of the 4 door handle have broken off. The seats warm up. I like the sun roof. I wish I could hook up an six cord. I wish there was Bluetooth. The speakers have been messing up. I think the oil leaks. The gas gage messes up sometimes too.

Joe A on February 8, 2021

Extremely reliable, good on gas, looks great. Go get one

I like the look of the vehicle. It's very reliable. It also does very well on gas. It has a very smooth ride.

Beth R on February 3, 2021

Really love the heated seats accessory. I'd be pretty bummed without it

I didn't buy my car new, but it's pretty nice. It has heated passenger and driver seats. Air conditioning works well and so does heat. There are many compartments to the car, not including the glove box. There are 4 seats not including the driver which is nice to fit a lot of people in. There's no aux but you can buy a Bluetooth adapter that works well with the car.

Savannah A on February 2, 2021

It is black with tan interior.

My vehicle drives really well and is smooth. The main reason why I stopped driving it for awhile was because the windshield cracked. I don't really like the interior and wish it wasn't tan. I prefer leather. Also, it is hard to keep clean. Overall, not a bad car and could be better but that is just based on my personal taste.

Geri B on February 1, 2021

My Altima is a great running car. And it requires very little maintenance

I like the color, the performance and the comfort of my car

Julienne A on January 30, 2021

It is reliable, comfortable nice looking great city car for jumping into traffic.

My car is very comfortable, though with a lower ceiling it makes high updos difficult without mashing one's bun into the ceiling when you go over bumps. I had to get work done on the cam sensor which was quite expensive. It is very reliable, it has good get up and go but the air conditioning does not work. It has no external lock for the trunk. The latch on the cup holder cover in the drivers console, broke.

JON R on January 30, 2021

It's in mint condition. It has great gas mileage. And it drives smoothly

I love the fact the car is in excellent condition. What I don't like are the prices to fix the car.

Jose M on January 25, 2021

It is pretty cool. I do kinda like it, well used to

It is an ok daily driver. It is no race car unfortunately, but the design can grow on you, I also don't have it anymore as the engine blew.

Lynda R on January 25, 2021

Runs very well on open road.

I like the color and the size and the way it drives it's a4 cylinder so it does not waste so much gas. It is perfect for long road trips the trunk is very big.

steven d on January 22, 2021

It rarely has to have repairs done, gets decent gas mileage and has been very reliable

I like it's look and it has been a reliable vehicle for over 10 years

Lauren H on January 21, 2021

It is a very safe reliable car. It gets good gas mileage

It is a very reliable car. It fits my family of 4 great. No complaints

John M on January 20, 2021

Great safe car! Would highly recommend!

Tune up issue and ac issues. However they have been fixed and overall works very well. Drives very well and good gas mileage. Also is easy to find parts for repairs and it is easy to drive around. Makes also for a safe family vehicle and it is well suited for long distance traveling.

Ihesha H on January 15, 2021

It's great on gas, I suppose you could consider it an hybrid if wanted.

I like that the vehicle has modern features such as, back camera for reversing and parallel parking. I like that it is good on gas mileage. I also like that my car looks visually appealing.

Kayla K on January 14, 2021

One detail I like about my car is the seat warmers.

My car was reliable for a really long time until last year. The air conditioning went out twice so I had to get it fixed. The first time it only lasted a couple months and now the cool air blows just fine. I live in the desert where summers get up to 115 degrees so it was pertinent that I got it fixed. I also had some sort of issue with the engine that I am not too familiar with, but since I had it fixed everything has been fine. All of the issues happened within a year.

Jeanette Z on January 9, 2021

The seating is very nice and comfortable.

I have had to replace the air conditioning 2 times since I bought it. It's a nice. Ar wish the gas mileage was better but it's a nice daily commuter car. The paint has started to fade away. But the seats are really comfortable and everything is in range of motion

Robyn G on January 7, 2021

It's incredibly reliable & safe!

My car is very reliable & dependable. It is highly rated for safety, which I like a lot. It is easy to maintain, often by myself or with the help of a friend or two. It's not the most attractive or flashy car & the fact that it sits very low are probably the only things I don't like about my car.

Clifford M on January 6, 2021

That the four cylinder engine has plenty of power.

My 2005 Nissan Altima four door sedan is a reliable, comfortable and gas saving vehicle that I am very happy with. My Nissan Altima has served me well and has not had any major mechanical issues whatsoever. I use synthetic oil and regularly service the vehicle to keep it in top shape.

Christine T on January 4, 2021

Runs well and low maintenance. Never had any major problems whatsoever

Doesn't use a lot of gas which is nice. It runs ok and no major problems

Aressa F on January 1, 2021

I like that it gets me around, its durable and I like the color. Also I've had it fixed a couple of times.

My car is very spacious and has great miles on it and its worked well for me so far

mallory m on December 25, 2020

Engine is sound and reliable, not a lot of maintenance needs to be done.

The engine is incredibly reliable, the only maintenance done in the Altima in the last 4 years of me owning it was routine maintenance like tires and brakes.

Tina L on December 15, 2020

Nissan is the best car to own.

I love the comfort and dependability of my car. I love the color of my car, the inside is just the right color. Very little maintenance needed on my car. Nissan is a very dependable car to own. Fancy on the inside even though its a older model. I just love my car.

Jerome S on December 14, 2020

Handles break off, but it still works

It's a standard sedan. Nothing special, but no complaints. It's holds up even after high mileage. The door handles break off; it's very common and difficult to fix. The exhaust tends to rattle as well. I've done all of my own repairs and it's a simple car to fix. If recommend it if you want a no frills, reliable car

Alicia T on December 13, 2020

Reliable car. Distances and not expensive.

At the moment I have to fix the shocks. Very reliable otherwise. Good interior, feel very safe inside my vehicle.

Dorene L on December 12, 2020

That it gets good gas mileage especially on the highway.

I like it that it gets good gas mileage. I don't like that it's only 4 cylinders, it has enough power to be a 6 cylinder. I don't like that if I go over 63 mph the rpm's are to high. I also don't like the seats, they are not very comfortable for long drives. All in all though, it's a good car.

Leah K on December 8, 2020

I never felt like it was running the way it was supposed to be.

I like that it handles the road well but it has engine problems that are hard to diagnose. The interior is roomy enough to accommodate someone tall.

Ean A on December 7, 2020

Reliable and Long Lasting

This car is very comfortable for long drives. It drives smooth. Decent gas mileage as well! I have had my Nissan Altima for about 2 years now and put on a total of about 40,000 miles since buying it pre-owned. It is at around 180,000 and still going strong with no major issues!

Nathan B on December 4, 2020

The car is low enough to the ground where it makes you feel safe.

Car is very smooth. It's the first car I have ever bought and it is honestly a very good first car. The seats are cloth. Steering wheel has a very nice trip to it. The sound is prestige compared to other cars that old. The windows roll down all the way. The car can fly.

Jeanne H on December 2, 2020

I would definitely recommend getting an Altima. They are fun to drive and are made SO well!!!

I love my Altima! It has great pickup and drives very nicely!! It gets good gas mileage and even tho it is approaching 200,000 miles, has never had any major problems. It has been a great car!!

Shawntel S on November 29, 2020

It's expensive to fix. Depending on what parts your gas can go up to 400,,

Like that it's big enough for my family. It's good on gas and rides smoothly. The only thing I dislike about it is once one thing messes up everything messes up

Marjorie M on November 23, 2020

We love the 2005 Nissan Altima.

The 2005 Nissan Altima is a reliable, comfortable car with excellent acceleration and a good-looking exterior. Very little has been needed in terms of maintenance, and even at 13 years old, this car looks stylish and runs very well. Altima's we've had in the past were also good, but this one has far exceeded our expectations.

Angelica L on November 20, 2020

It is fast and comfy. But it always had overheating issues.

2005 Nissan Altima: some overheating problems and a couple ac issues here and there but is expected from an older car. Usually performs well and mostly reliable. Good comfort.

Char T on November 18, 2020

A great older car overall!

I love the heated leather seats, sound system, radio control on the steering wheel and sunroof. The vehicle is older and has needed some repairs including a catalytic converter, but this is to be expected. Gas mileage could be better, but overall I'm satisfied!

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they're built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it's a better value in the used market.

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Source: https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/nissan/altima/2005