2005 Nissan Altima review from North America

Improper recall procedures

Auto Recall Date: 11/14/2007

Vehicle Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Estimated Vehicles Affected: 653910

2005 NISSAN ALTIMA Defect Summary:

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.

Defect Consequence:

IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.,

My 2005 Nissan Altima started stalling out at stop signs, red lights, a drive thru, etc. The check engine light was not on, and mechanics could not diagnose the problem.

This really worried me because I have a 3 year old son I drive around in the car. My biggest fear was making a left turn and it stalling in the middle of an intersection.

Finally when it got harder to start back up, and keep it going once started the check engine light came on. I took it in yet again and he said the code for for the crankshaft position sensor and it was it part of a recall and I needed to take it to the dealer. He gave me a copy of the recall.

From what I read in the recall, it sounds like the recall is for the crankshaft position sensor overheating and causing a problem with the ECM. When I had it towed to the dealer from the mechanic because it was no longer driveable, the service tech explained that the recall only included the reprogram of the ECM, not the crankshaft position sensor, for that I have to pay out of pocket, a little over $200.00. I don't understand why I have to pay out of pocket for something that is apparently defective. I am going to make a claim with Nissan to see if I can get my money back, however will not ever buy another Nissan.

This could have been an extremely dangerous situation, and I was never notified of the recall, apparently they put out groups of them at a time, over a period of time, and I was not slated yet to receive the recall yet. The representative I spoke with, with Nissan said they put it on the news, I must have missed that episode of the news- and worse now it seems like I have to fork out $200+ for a defective part.