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2005 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2005 Nissan Altima is a passenger car that, with a 4.4-quart oil capacity calling for 5W-30 API viscosity, represents a straightforward maintenance profile for its era. In terms of reliability, this model year logged 1,091 owner complaints—the most common issue falling under the Structure category—and was subject to two recalls. Within the Altima’s broader complaint history spanning 1993 to 2025, the 2005 model sits well below the peak of 2,304 complaints seen in 2013 but far above the low of 6 recorded in 2025, indicating a level of reported problems that is neither the worst nor the best for the nameplate.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size215-60TR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E alt 152089E01A
Engine air filter	165460Z000
Spark plug	224015M014 alt 224015M016
Battery	244109B900 discontinued
Front wiper blades	28890ZD80A alt 288903Z600
Serpentine belt	119508J100 alt 119208J110
Thermostat	21200EA000 alt 212306N20A
Cabin air filter	27277VP01A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.3 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	110.2 in
Curb weight	3038 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2005 SE-R V6

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2005	SE-R V6 3.5L V6	6.10 sec	14.80 sec	260 hp	FWD
2006	SE-R V6 3.5L V6	6.20 sec	14.70 sec	260 hp	FWD
2003	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.90 sec	14.60 sec	240 hp	FWD
2003	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.95 sec	14.46 sec	240 hp	FWD
2003	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	7.10 sec	15.40 sec	240 hp	FWD
2007	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.90 sec	14.50 sec	270 hp	FWD
2007	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	5.90 sec	14.60 sec	270 hp	FWD
2007	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	6.60 sec	15.00 sec	270 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Nissan Matic-D
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	9.7
Automatic Transmission Fluid	Nissan Matic-K
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.7
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	13-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	29-32 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.04-1.16 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	24F

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	11.6-14.9 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Compression	154-181 psi. 14 maximum variation psi.
Engine Oil Pressure	43 psi @ 2000 rpm, 57 psi @ 57 rpm psi
Engine Oil Pressure	43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2000 rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH CLZ25VE / WITH CLZ25VD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	17-22 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs / 28-35 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	101
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake Application	WITH CLZ25VE / WITH CLZ25VD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 0.945 in / 0.35 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

1.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.0

1.4 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

28-34 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

28–34 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

29-36 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

29–36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts in reverse order.
3	29 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	loosen all bolts
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees	90–95 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-10

29 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Nissan Altima lands in the middle of a distinct 2002–2006 arc that began with an extreme spike of 1,063 complaints and 12 recalls, cooled to 276 complaints by 2004, then resurged in 2005 to 1,091 complaints with only 2 recalls. That rebound places the target year near the generation’s complaint peak—second only to its 2002 launch—yet with far less recall activity than 2002 or 2003, creating a complaint-to-recall disconnect. Compared with 2004’s lull and 2006’s taper to 824 complaints, 2005 stands out as a volatile midpoint where Structure and Engine & Engine Cooling dominated grievances alongside 48 crash and 18 fire complaints. Because the federal data does not specify root causes and recall coverage remained minimal, this model year carries elevated risk within an already high-complaint generation. Consequently, 2005 is not a favorable year to buy unless thorough service records confirm the top complaint areas have been individually remedied.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

108

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,091

Owner complaints

48 involved a crash · 18 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04’05’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,091 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure319

Engine & Engine Cooling206

Engine82

Power Train74

Electrical System43

Air Bags31

Unknown Or Other27

Service Brakes, Hydraulic19

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E087000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 25/10/2007

CERTAIN TYC HALOGEN TYPE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/N 20-6644-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PHOTOMETRIC WERE MISALIGNED WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE… Remedy: GENERA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GENERA AT 714-522-6688.

07V527000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 14/11/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 108 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C	2024-05-20	Electrical System	CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 4.4 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 165460Z000 Spark plug 224015M014 Battery 244109B900

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Altima take?

4.4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.