I filed a complaint with Nissan North America regarding rust damage on my 2005 Altima 3.5 SE w/67,000 mi. After being referred to my dealership for an investigation a rep with Nissan regional Consumer Affairs says that unfortunately my warranty doesn't cover rust after 5 years. I asked if it'''s Nissan'''s position that I was negligent in maintaining my vehicle. How else would you explain a 6 yr low-mileage car having extensive rust issues" would they at least admit to partial responsibility and help with the cost of repairs" everything on my car is still like new except premature rusting through the floorboards on both the driver's side and passenger side. I explained I've diligently maintained this vehicle with the hopes of it lasting for years based on the reputation of imported cars. It's been garaged during most inclement weather. I explained how shocked I was when I saw all the complaints, forums, and blogs regarding this issue. There seems to be a problem either with the material (durasteel) or the manufacturing process of all the gen 3 and 4 Altima that allows water to infiltrate between the metal on the floorboards causing premature rust through. There are plastic plugs that become dislodged or are not installed correctly. Nissan will not stand behind their product and help with the repairs. Nissan has been required to extend the warranty on the rear subframe so they are aware of issue with the metals they're using. Regardless, I will never own another Nissan. Please check and if you're facing the same expensive repair, call Nissan Consumer Affairs @ 800-647-7261 and ask to file a complaint. They will be surprised and say "this is the first we've heard of this."' don't waste your time waiting for a reply. Immediately file a complaint with the better business bureau and NHTSA. Your Nissan rep will cheerfully give you the numbers.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

I purchased my 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S used in November of 2006. It had approximately 33,000 miles on it. Five years later, the car has 101,000 miles on it and the passenger side floorboard has major rust damage; so much that you can actually touch the interior rubber floorboard of the car from the outside. I have yet to take it to a Nissan dealership, since I know my warranty is expired, but I have had many professionals take a look and they are rendered speechless over the damage. I have been told numerous times that the damage is obviously a factory defect, a car that's only a few years old should not have that kind of damage and that it would cost well over $1000 to repair. I have maintained my vehicle well and haven't had any other major problems with it; just the usual replacements. I've put a new battery in it recently, I've had the brakes replaced twice, rotors once; it currently needs a new serpentine belt, lower ball joint and the muffler is showing rust, so that will be a replacement in the near future. I've read about people who live in cold, snowy areas having these problems as well, due to salt and chemical exposure. I wash and dry my car after every snow, including the undercarriage, to remove these chemicals. I do not park in wet areas, grass or dirt. My car has always been on concrete. Nothing in my car leaks, I've never had standing water in it, I've never had wet floors. This is a defect that Nissan needs to take full responsibility for. I am beyond overwhelmed with the hundreds of complaints I've read in regards to this problem; this affects so many Nissan owners, so it's obviously not a problem caused by owner neglect. The driver side of my car looks fantastic; no rust damage whatsoever, so once again, that proves that I am not negligent or responsible for the rust damage on the passenger side; Nissan is.

- Covington, KY, USA

I have just discovered that my 2005 Nissan Altima is rusting under the driver side and also under the passenger side. Under the driver side the rusting is worse, I can just peel off the the rusting area with my bare hands. I know that this type is problem is common with these vehicles, I have seen several pictures published by other Nissan Altima owners on the internet. My car has 86000 miles on it and it is 6 years old. I did not expect such a serious defect on a relatively young car, which was garaged a well cared for ever since a bought it new.

- Franklin, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the floor boards on the driver and passenger side were rotten. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the repair cost would be $440 per side in order to repair the floor boards and they were out sourcing the repairs to a body shop. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who will replace the floor boards at the owners expense for $600. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 104,000.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

While having the oil changed it was brought to the owner's attention that the passenger front floorboard was completely rusted through. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where they advised to take the vehicle to the local Nissan dealer because there was no other rust on the car and the extent of perforation was so severe the body shop said there must be some problem with the way the car was assembled. The car was taken to the local Nissan dealer where the warranty representative looked at the vehicle and denied any warranty support or assistance with getting the vehicle repaired. I returned the vehicle to a reputable body shop where the car was repaired for $600. The body shop informed me that the rust had started on the inside and rusted through from the top. After repairs, the owner saw that several other vehicles of the same year and type have the same defect.

- Oberlin, OH, USA

Rusted floor board on passenger side.

- Milton, NH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was being examined by an independent repair shop for a state inspection when she was informed that there was a very large hole in the frame under the vehicle. The hole was the result of severe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer and the failure was confirmed. A complaint was also filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 11/22/11 the consumer stated the failure was repaired at a cost of $400 with no assisstance. The vehicle could not pass inspection until repairs were complete. The floor was rotted from the inside out. It did not show on exterior until the undercoating failed. Updated 06/14/2014

- Harrison, ME, USA

During a routine brake inspection it was brought to my atttention the floorboards on the passenger side (front seat) have corroded to the point where a finger could punch through the floor. The damage is isolated and appears to be from a faulty drain system from the air conditioning unit. After driving the car for over an hour with the air running, there is no draining on the floor of my garage. It appears the water is puddling under the floor mats and causing the erosion of the floor. I am the only owner of the vehicle and it has been garaged since the day I brought it home.

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

'2005' Nissan Altima 2.5 sl. Noticed a large area of rust under the passenger front floorboard when car was on a lift. Did a search online and found that there were numerous complaints for this same problem. Affected years '02' - '06'. many others have contacted Nissan and they have refused repair.

- Stoneham, MA, USA

To whom it may concern: I purchased a 2005 Nissan Altima in July 2009. Recently, I had my car inspected and a rust perforation was noticed on the underside of the passenger side. It is the size of a baseball which is through the first layer of metal. I spoke with the dealer, where I purchased the vehicle, and they stated that my warranty for perforation was 5 years and has expired. I had planned on repairing it myself; however, upon online research I found that this is a common problem with the 2002-2006 Altima models. The perforation on these cars appears on the passenger side floor exactly where mine is. The floor is designed with two pieces of sheet metal with a gap in between which, unfortunately allows water to become trapped. This is a design error which causes premature rust to form. I am concerned that if I repair the rust, it will inevitably return. I contacted Nissan Canada and was told the same story regarding my expired perforation warranty. I explained the numerous complaints online concerning this matter and was surprised that the service agent was unaware of this issue. I understand that my warranty has expired; however, it is unacceptable that the floor of the car rusted prematurely due to a design flaw. I take pride and care of my vehicle and I expect Nissan to acknowledge this flaw and enact a recall for the floor on all 2002-2006 Nissan Altima or, at a minimon pay for the repairs on my vehicle. Thank you for consideration in this matter, [xxx] (bhs, rtmr) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Moncton, 00, USA

There is a rusted hole on the passenger side floor of the car. The hole is the size of a softball with rusted metal around the area of the hole. Apparently this is common on 2002-2006 Nissan Altima. The car has never been in an accident and has been well maintained.

- Moncton, 00, USA

Vehicle was brought for routine inspection. 2 holes were discovered in floor panels that prevented it from passing vt inspection. Corrosion was from inside out under both front seats not visible from vehicle interior. Vehicle has been garaged since purchase 6/25/04. Corrosion is excessive for age and mileage even in an area prone to road salt corrosion. Multiple complaints have been filed on model years 2001-2005 yet no recall. The problem is extremely expensive to repair and if not recognized can allow carbon monoxide into passenger compartment.

- Essex Jct, VT, USA

I have bought brand new 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5se in October of 2004. Just yesterday during my oil change I have noticed a hole underneath the car and rusted area in the diameter of a foot or so. Flooring rusted and it was obviously result of not forced damage but defective materials used to make the car flooring. I am finding forums and loads of complaints that right after the warranty is expired car's flooring simply start to rust. I do not know what to do and I am sure dealership will turn me away as the car is not under warranty and they usually do not have body shops. Who can help me as I spent about $33,000 for this car (last 6 years of paying it off.... help!!"!"

- Libertyville, IL, USA

Took my car in to be inspected (pa inspection). Floor pan on my 2005 Altima is completely rusted through on the passenger side of the vehicle. Needs to have floor pan replaced. This car has very low mileage, is clean and garage kept. Checked the internet, and noticed quite a few complaints about rust on the passenger and drive side. Nothing else is showing rust. How can one part completely rust out and the remaining part of the car has none at all?? apparently there is a defect that is holding water/moisture and causing the rust. The car does not have any mechanical issue - basically like new. However, totally rusted out in one spot.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I would like to report a situation I had with my leased 2005 Altima that could be a serious problem for drivers and I think you should look into for a possible call back. Seven (7) of the clips ( part 01553-09321) came off the car while driving, causing the lower engine cover to fall down and hanging by the remaining clips. Not knowing the problem, I was startled and had to quickly pull over to see what the problem was. I had to tape the lower engine cover with duct tape in order to be able to drive the car. The cover is being held on by clips rather than bolts. If bolts or screws were in it, it would not have happened. I have been told that the service department that they replaces a lot of these clips. It seems to me that if you are replacing a lot of clips, they are not doing the job. If lower engine cover falls down, it could cause a major accident if the car is going at a high speed. I think it is incumbent on you to look into this matter, before there is a major accident. I am now very nervous about using the car, because if it happened once, it could happen again. The dealer is staten island Nissan 222 parkinson ave, staten island, New York 10305 (718) 447-3878. I spoke to Nissan and they claim that there was a scrape on the bottom and that it was my fault that it happened. If clips can pop that easy, there is definitely something wrong. It could not happen if they used bolts.

- Staten Island, NY, USA