2017 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 391 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 24 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchMay 28, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
Campaign 20V315000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, emergency, escape/egress/exitDec 19, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.
Campaign 18V915000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJan 18, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V040000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
391 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with an electrical fault inside the air bag, and it was determined that the air bag inside the seat back needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the electrical fault from the air bag was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 12, 2026
1. Headlights. The headlights are dim to the point that vision at night is greatly impaired unless I use my high beams. It is available for inspection. 2. Impaired vision at night, I cannot see very well when driving at night, and others may be affected by not being able to see me as well. 3. This is a known manufacturing defect which has been confirmed by Nissan, and is actually subject of a class action settlement, however I was unaware of the class action settlement at the time and didn't participate before the deadline. 4. I have not been inspected yet, but am able to do so. 5. No, there are no warnings, the headlights are just too dim to see.
Steering, Air bags, Aug 11, 2026
I was driving home from the store like 4 blocks away and on the road there’s dip n the road you can’t avoid it so after i drive over it the airbag light comes on with hitting anything.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2026
Shuddering and loss of acceleration/vehicle slowed on its own while driving on the highway. Managed to get to Firestone and diagnostic codes P0776 and P0841 came up. Advised to take vehicle to dealer shop as work could not be done on CVT there. Car was towed to Nissan Bonney Road Virginia Beach. Transmission replacement recommended and my car only has 53,000 miles on it but is outside the 84 month extended warranty drafted from class action lawsuits and settlement. I was not aware of these lawsuit when this vehicle was recommended to me by Hall Honda as Hall Nissan sent it to them for me to see. No additional warranty was given nor was I informed that since the car only had 21,000 miles it was covered under the settlement of 80,000 miles 84,000 month. I WOULD HAVE WALKED, NO RAN, AWAY FROM THIS CAR IF I HAD BEEN TOLD OF THE LAWSUITS. Nissan wants me to pay nearly 6,200.00 for a new transmission that they knew was faulty to begin with. The only other option they gave was that they would give me a 3,000.00 allowance for them to purchase my car and apply that to another (probably faulty) vehicle from them. The issue I have with this is that I still owe 8,700.00 on a car that cost me over 17,000.00 which would make me have to roll the remaining 5,700.00 into another loan. Ludicrous that the dealerships are able to get away with this because they don’t want to admit their cars are faulty! I need Nissan to own up to this and perform a “goodwill” repair at no cost to me for the transmission. Nissan consumer complaints was not helpful at all. The only option I have after this is to file a claim in small claims court which I will probably lose.
Air bags, Jul 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with a passenger inside the vehicle, the air big warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers to be inspected, and it was determined that the air bag sensor module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to reach out to the Better Business Bureau to report the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 27,016.
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2026
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace, the vehicle was then sold to a third person. The contact was informed by the third owner that the mileage on the vehicle was incorrect. The contact obtained a vehicle history report and discovered the mileage discrepancy. At the time the contact purchased the vehicle on the Facebook Marketplace, the seller listed the mileage at 108,757. It was later discovered that in June 2022, the mileage was listed as 156,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 18, 2026
Driving on the freeway and car goes into limp mode very dangerous situation as spend was reduced and almost got rear ended by truck
Air bags, Jul 14, 2026
AIRBAG LIGHT UNEXPECTANTLY CAME ON WITHOUT ANY COLLISION ACTION, OR OTHER UNUSUAL ACTIVITY ON 5/28/26. DELAY GETTING CAR FOR INSPECTION DUE TO PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. ON 6/29/26 CAR CHECKED A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. INSPECTED AND CHECKED CODES. CODED AS B0020-13 FOR AIR BAG MODULE DEFECTIVE. RECOMMENDED REPLACING DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BACK. THIS NISSAN ALTIMA 2017 NOT UNDER RECALL, AND CALL NOT UNDER WARRANTY. SAFETY OF DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 12, 2026
Car not starting. Narrowed down to brake light switch not functioning properly. Jumped across the switch, car started. Push button ignition requires brakes to be depressed to start the vehicle. We have been close to being rear-ended twice lately. No warning lights signifying a problem. This is the second Altima I owned with this exact same failure to occur. First was a 2010 Altima S 2.5
Suspension, Jul 4, 2026
The rear lower arm control snapped while driving on even surface road. I’m a female and when I heard the pop I got out and inspected the car. Could have caused injury to myself or other motorists. Confirmed with two mechanics that this in fact was the rear arm control and that they have had these issues with a lot of Nissan Altima and Sentra. Was advised to take to Nissan dealership to see if they will repair-which I did, but I’m currently awaiting a response by Nissan to see if they will cover it. The car has been making a squeaky sound but it comes and goes. The check engine light came on but displayed loose fuel cap and it goes out when I put gas in my car from time to time. I’ve also heard that is another issue with Nissan with the loose fuel cap. I just want my vehicle repaired. It is maintained although it is a 2017 and has 157,000 miles. No real issues until now.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 26, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the hood unexpectedly opened and struck the front windshield. The failure caused windshield glass shards to fly into the contact's eyes. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and called the insurance company, which dispatched a tow truck to the location. The contact was waiting for the ambulance to arrive to receive medical attention. While waiting for the ambulance and tow truck to arrive, the contact researched and discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 13, 2026
The first code it threw was for the master air flow sensor then it started bogging out not going over 1RPM -throwing the code "P17F0 CVT Judder" and has left me in some really,really bad situations in traffic, and when it boggs down like that (no matter how many times I turn it off and restart it, even if the battery drains all the way out and I have to get a jump) I have to wait two hours after unhooking the battery and sit for an hour if not more before I can start it up and actually get down the rd. And it runs great like nothing was wrong it. But doesn't get far before doing it again
Electrical system, May 5, 2026
The issue appears to involve the vehicle’s battery system. The issue is abnormal battery drain and corrosion buildup on the battery terminals. The failure results in the vehicle being unable to start without warning. The battery and affected components are available for inspection upon request. This issue creates a safety risk because the vehicle can become inoperable without warning, leaving me stranded. This could occur in unsafe or vulnerable situations, such as being stuck in traffic, in an isolated area, or during extreme weather conditions. The unpredictability of the failure increases the risk, as there is no reliable warning before the vehicle will not start. I've been stranded multiple times. Yes. An independent mechanic can confirm the issue. There were little to no warning indicators prior to failure. The issue primarily presents as unexpected battery drain and corrosion, followed by the vehicle failing to start. Any symptoms that did occur were inconsistent and did not provide sufficient warning of the impending failure.
Other or unspecified, May 3, 2026
Dear NHTSA, I am writing to formally report a dangerous design oversight and safety hazard regarding the trunk lid support mechanism on the Nissan Altima. On [Date of Incident], while the vehicle was parked, a gust of wind caused the trunk lid to slam shut unexpectedly. The metal door latch struck me directly in the frontal region of the skull, resulting in an injury that required medical monitoring for potential brain trauma. The current design relies exclusively on torsion bars or gas struts to maintain an open position. These components are prone to wear and environmental fatigue, and they lack a mechanical "positive lock" or secondary safety catch. Consequently, the trunk lid acts as a sail in windy conditions, easily overcoming the lift support and turning the heavy lid and metal latch assembly into a falling hazard for any consumer loading or unloading the vehicle. While Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) focus heavily on internal trunk releases (Standard No. 401), there is a significant gap regarding the prevention of sudden, gravity-induced or wind-induced lid collapse. I am requesting that the NHTSA: Investigate the frequency of "unintended closing" injuries related to Nissan Altima trunk lift systems. Evaluate whether the lift-support specifications for this model are sufficient to withstand common wind gusts. Mandate a mechanical locking mechanism or more robust secondary safety catches to prevent these lids from becoming dangerous projectiles. [XXX] Vehicle Information: Make: Nissan Model: Altima Year: [2017] Estimated Mileage: [105000] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Seats, Apr 25, 2026
The passenger airbag system failed, specifically the occupant sensor and the pad beneath the passenger seat. These components are responsible for detecting whether a passenger is present and ensuring the airbag deploys correctly in a crash. I've also been told that I may be at risk of not having my airbag deploy in an accident. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I am a single mother. My child rides in the vehicle regularly, and my elderly parents occasionally ride in the passenger seat . Because the occupant sensor has failed, the passenger airbag may be suppressed entirely in the event of a collision. No passenger in the front seat would have airbag protection in an accident, and it's possible I would not either. We have been driving under these conditions for an extended period of time without a remedy. A trusted independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the fault. They diagnosed the issue as a failure of the occupant classification sensor and seat pad, and noted that recalibration was attempted. The recalibration did not resolve the problem, and the airbag warning light remains on. I have not yet taken the vehicle to a Nissan dealership for diagnosis. It has not been inspected by Nissan, law enforcement, or insurance representatives. The airbag warning light on the dashboard has been illuminated continuously for many months. The light is solid, not flashing, which my mechanic indicated reflects a confirmed, persistent fault in the system rather than an intermittent issue. There were no prior symptoms before the light appeared.
Air bags, Apr 22, 2026, crash
I was hit by a school bus on the interstate and my air bags didn't deploy. My car is throwing a code that all 4 did.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2026, crash
I am submitting this complaint regarding a defective aftermarket Fuyao windshield installed by Safelite in my 2017 Nissan Altima. This windshield presents a serious safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and the public. Windshield Identification: [XXX] Solar Tint Hazard Description: • The Fuyao DOT-1038 windshield produces extreme glare, light scatter, and optical distortion, making driving hazardous in daylight, low-angle sunlight, and nighttime conditions. • During daytime, sunlight reflecting off vehicles, the hood, and surrounding surfaces produces a snow-like field of intense points of light, severely impairing road visibility. • At night, oncoming headlights generate starburst patterns, temporarily blinding the driver. • Interior reflections from the dashboard amplify these effects. • These hazards are not present in OEM Nissan windshields and have been consistently reported by other vehicle owners and automotive technicians in online forums and discussions involving Fuyao DOT-1038 windshields. (Do a quick Google Gemini search on Fuyao-1038 and optical distortions) Incident: • On March 6, 2026, the glare caused a collision in a Walmart parking lot in [XXX] , where I struck a cement stop post that was obscured by the glare. • While no injuries occurred, the potential for serious injury or death was high. Consumer Pattern: • Multiple drivers have reported similar optical defects with Fuyao [XXX] / AS-1 M147 / FW4160 windshields, including excessive glare, light scatter, starburst effects, and unsafe driving conditions. • These reports indicate a systemic manufacturing or optical defect, making this an urgent safety concern. Safety Standard Reference: The optical behavior of this windshield raises concerns regarding compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 (FMVSS-205), which governs optical clarity and safety requirements for automotive glazing materials. Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Feb 11, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Air bags, Feb 8, 2026
No initial incident created this problem. The airbag light randomly comes on for driver left side airbag. It has never been deployed, nor has the vehicle had any impact or damage. The computer shows fault code B0020-13 (AB Side Module Open). Despite resetting it, the light will only stay off for a while. It appears as occasional short in the sensor but I have been told to replace the whole seat. Several owners discuss the same issue on this car in Nissan forums. I've never gotten the code to show as "active" only "past" but nobody can tell me if this will impact whether the airbag will deploy in an accident.
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the hood unexpectedly opened and struck and cracked the windshield. Additionally, the driver’s and passenger’s side fenders were damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,217.
Power train, Nov 28, 2025
Just bought a 2017 Nissan Altima SR. Took it for a ride. Attempted to merge into traffic and the car had zero acceleration once I merged and then the transmission seemed to completely disengage. The RPMs week to around 3500 so I quickly had to pull off so as not to get rear ended. Brought the car to a stop and attempted several times to push the gas but the car would not pick up any momentum. I eventually turned the car off and waited a couple minutes. I restarted the car and placed it in drive and the car accelerated like a turtle but eventually got up to 30 mph. I turned around and headed back home and parked the car. Calling my mechanic to see if he has any knowledge related to these damn CVT transmission. Not sure why these cars aren't barred from being resold like they did with the Volkswagon. I feel raped.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linnkages) for the hood latch and was taken to the dealer, who completed the remedy on June 3, 2025. After the remedy had been completed, while decelerating and coming to a stop at approximately 20 MPH, the hood of the vehicle suddenly lifted, hitting the windshield, causing it to fracture in many places, with some pieces of glass completely detaching. The rear-view mirror had detached as a result. The contact received many cuts from the glass. The contact contacted the police and later filed a police report. The vehicle was towed to a friend's home. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who had not diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 242,000.
Engine, Nov 6, 2025
Check engine light came on will not go off transmission fluid burnt replaced transmission fluid because transmission was slipping out of gear not finding the correct gear I do believe it was starting off in second gear instead of first. Drive slightly better in manual after fluid gets warm but not overheating the car will start jerking and threatening to kill losing power in the accelerator and going uphill also having trouble with the car going into reverse and drive. I had no choice but to replace the transmission fluid myself due to lack of funds and now dealership refuses to touch my vehicle for repairs. I called Nissan to make a complaint and they hung up on me. Car was just paid off October of 2024. This situation with my transmission began November of 2025.
Power train, Engine, Oct 30, 2025
Check engine light came on at approximately 96,000 miles in which vehicle would have a delayed acceleration upon stepping on gas pedal or going up hills. Took it to 3 different mechanics including Nissan dealer and all confirmed a CVT failure and need a replacement. Nissan of America is refusing to help even after there have been documented lawsuits and known issues with the CVT failing. This is unsafe and a recall is needed not just an extended warranty that doesn’t help consumers who are over the 7 years but still under 100,000 miles like me.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2025
My CVT transmission has been replaced three times by Nissan. I am currently on the third CVT transmission and it has failed requiring a fourth CVT transmission replacement. I was in a few different situations each time the trasmission failed that were unsafe. I've been at intersections, trying to accelerate forward when the stop light turns green causing me to stop in the middle of intersections or accelerate slowly through the intersection which is very dangerous. I've been on the highway going normal highway speeds over 60mph when I would lose power and try to keep my speed and my car would stay in the 15mph - 40mph, having to turn my hazard lights on so other drivers know I'm having issues accelerating. The first time I took my car to the dealership, they could not recreate the issue after having my vehicle for 30 days. I received my car back and the engine light finally came on after some time and I immediately took my car to the dealership where they confirmed the CVT transmission was the issue.