Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. While attempting to shift the vehicle from park into drive, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal was stiff. The contact stated that the vehicle had been purchased and delivered to her residence by an unknown dealer. The dealer was informed of the failure and the mechanic was able to replace the rear passenger side caliper at the contact's residence. Additionally, while driving 25 MPH, smoke emitted from the front driver's side wheel. The contact was informed that the brake rotor and caliper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the recent failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000. Consumer stated police informed the consumer the vehicle was not inspected.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a pole. No warning indicators illuminated. The driver side air bag deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained neck, chest, and back injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown. Updated 04/08/16 updated 04/28/16.
The car was parked in a driveway for 6 hours in 10 degre weather. It was required to move the car to allow another vehicle to leave when the Nissan was driven forward to re-park the vehicle and the brakes were applied the peddle was rock hard and no brakes were available causing a collision with a garage door. The dealership diagnosed the problem as a vacuum valve, integral with a vacuum hose. The dealer tested the car at 7:30 am on 1/16/2012 when the car had been sitting for over 24 hours in 23 degree weather, the brake pedal was hard (however not rock solid) once the pedal was pumped twice the brakes worked accordingly. The theory was the valve was not functioing in the cold weather. …
During 2nd week of February,2015, the brake pedal got stuck. After some struggle, the brakes started working again. The air temperature was below 0 degree f. I called one of the local Nissan dealers and discussed the problem. He said that it could be due to crud or ice built up in the brakes. On the following day, the temperature was in 20's. We got the car washed to get any crud or ice removed from the brakes. On 2/20/2015, the brake pedal got stuck again. The brakes started working again after some struggle. The air temperature was below 0 degree f. Fortunately both times when the brake pedal got stuck, there was no traffic. On 2/20/15, the car was towed to a local Nissan dealer. The dealer replaced the booster hose with valve. Note: there was another car with the Nissan dealer with similar problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the front passenger side floorboard was corroded. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,279.
When im driving and going to make a stop I press the brake and the car accelerates briefly until I lift my foot and repress my brakes and then car will stop sumtimes if not reaccelerate and I have to repress brake again.
I bought a car, sold "as is", because the dealership advertised the car saying "everything under the hood is in perfect working condition." this was my first time buying a car and they took advantage of it. The car is missing 2 lug nuts on the front driver side, and back passenger side wheel(I don't know how the car passed inspection) it was sold to me with no transmission fluid, when I put some in it began to leak badly(I have pictures) the very next day after purchasing the car I noticed a knocking noise in the engine and everytime I started the car it began to shake for about 10 seconds. Everyday the cars engine would make new noises, by day four the car wouldn't start. …
I have had nothing but problems from my 2005 Altima that I purchased new in sept 05. The first week I owned the vehicle my engine light came on and the vehicle was very sluggish from takeoff, I then called the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and was told that all Nissan are sluggish and need to be driven to get the "newness from the vehicle" what kind of crap is that. About 6 months ago, I noticed that my brakes are squealing and my tires needed to be replaced, I don't even have 20K miles on my vehicle so this is very mysterious to me. Nissan in my opinion does not listen to its customers and claims to be the very best towards their customers on the commercials but in reality they are just another big company making money at the expense of "use to be loyal" customers". …
The ABS system on the vehicle activates at low speeds. ABS light turns on dashboard. Buzzing sound heard from engine bay while ABS engages. This causes the vehicle to skid when applying moderate pressure on the brake pedal while at low speed. This can be dangerous because if you are forced to suddenly stop the car will keep moving/skidding forward instead of coming to a quick complete stop. I have no air in my brake lines as I had it professionally bled. I also have new brake pads. And my brake fluid is up to the maximum line in the reservoir and clear. I cleaned all four ABS sensors and replaced the one sensor that is common to malfunction on this vehicle. Turns out it is the ABS actuator that has to be replaced which is a $1,200+ part from Nissan. …
I purchased a 05 Altima s in August and at 4000 mi the brakes started to grind and make noise, I took the vehicle into the dealer and they replaced the brakes and resurfaced the rotors. A week later the brakes began making noises again and grinding , I took the vehicle back and the dealer said that the factory said the have to show them something is wrong with the ca and that they couldn't duplicate the problem. I took the car back a week later and once again complained of the braked grinding and noise and this time I recorded the noise on my cell phone and played it for the service advisor to hear. The service manager told me that if it was dangerous it would be making the noise all the time an that everything looked fine. …
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 1,091 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Nissan Altima, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Altima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.