Five problems related to timing tensioner have been reported for the 2005 Nissan Altima. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Nissan Altima based on all problems reported for the 2005 Altima.
My engine started making a loud rattling noise. It was especially loud when it was not moving but became a little more silent once the car was moving. Took it to Nissan to find the problem and they told me my timing chain tensioners were failing and that it had to be fixed very soon before the chain snaps and damages the engine.
The timing chain tensioner is failing/has failed, there is an engine knocking noise that causes the 3. 5l v6 to sound like a diesel, as others have described. It comes directly from the location of the timing chain. I don't have the funds or hours and hours it requires to replace the tensioner just yet. The problem has been ongoing for at least 15,000 miles. If the timing chain jumps because the tensioner was not a quality part and broke, the engine will lock up, as has happened to others, and possibly cause a wreck if other cars are around. Nissan should issue a recall to investigate and fix this problem. That is all I ask. I wanted to report that I have the same issue for my vehicle as others of the same kind do, so it can get fixed before something dangerous happens to me or my wife.
My vehicle is experiencing a whining noise at idle and also while driving. Upon further review and extensive online research at maxima forum, I have found out there's a design flaw on the timing chain tensioners on these v6 engines. If not repaired can result in extensive repairs and possible loss of engine. However, my vehicle is past the warranty mileage. I don't know if Nissan will grant the free repair since it is a design flaw by the manufacturer.
Transmission control module; vehicle suddenly has an unexpected loss of power on highway and will not change gears. Camshaft sensors; sudden loss of power traveling at high rate of speed, unexpected stalling or engine to shut down and not restart. Both very dangerous because you almost get run over by the vehicle behind you. They come up on you too fast, continuing their normal highway speeds not realizing your vehicles loss of power until theyre right up on you then have to either slam on their brakes or make sudden lane change without properly signaling warning other drivers. Timing chain guide and timing chain tensioners; wear out prematurely causing loosening of the timing chain, makes a very loud clanking or ticking sound asbit hits the guide and can cause damage to the engine. Struts mounts; corrode and wear out creating a rough and unstable steering control and clanking sound as the struts hit when driving over uneven roadways, cracks, driveways and speed bumps. Makes it more difficult to steer cause the vibration and rattling in the front end. This occurs in the 3. 5 liter engine. There has already been service bulletins and recalls on the 2. 5 liter engine but not 3. 5. The issues are the same for both engines. The same parts/manufacturers are used on both yet the 3. 5 liter wasnt included. Problems are ongoing daily. Its very unsafe.
There is a defect in a significant number of v6 equipped Nissan vehicles my 2004-2007. Nissan has issued a service bulletin ntb07-042 describing the issue and solution. Poor engineering and manufacturing defects lead to issues that can cause the secondary timing chains on these vehicles to fail. The problem does not become apparent until after the warranty has expired, I. E. After 60,000 miles of service. Repair requires the engine to be removed from the vehicle and torn down to replace these parts. Parts include the secondary timing chains and chain tensioners. Nissan is refusing to support their customers in regard to these repairs. Cost to perform the repair will run between $1800 and $2200 per quotation by my dealer. Timing chain failure would likely cause catastrophic engine damage. Should such failure occur under highway conditions, serious accidents with concomitant injuries would likely result. While I have not had an accident, I am deeply concerned that Nissan is taking no action to address this potentially serious issue affecting a significant percentage of their fleet for these model years. In normal service, the vehicles in question are now reaching the point where this problem will begin to manifest itself.