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: electrical system
27 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
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.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 24, 2025
When driving down the street car shuts off lights flicker on and off continuously sometimes it don’t turn back on sometimes it does but I usually just coast until it turns back on very dangerous if on freeway or heavy traffic also the brake light and and trac lights go on when this happens. When stepping on gas the rpm’s go up really high like the transmission is going out
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 24, 2025
All 4 door lock actuators Airbag System Malfunctioning CVT Slipping at 83,000 miles Broken Motor Mount
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2025, fire
I came out in the morning and the whole inside of my car had smoke damage, There seems to be what looked like a wire issue that has caused a fire in the center council of my nissan . Thank god by the grade of god the fire went out by its self . I do not want this to happen to anyone else
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 27, 2023
April-May, Key fob not being recognized so changed the battery in key fob 4 times. May, Driving at 55MPH on I495 beltway, pushed on gas and did not get gas. Immediately put on flasher and drifted to right curb. Dashboard was still lit. Turned the car off. Within minutes restarted the car and went where I was going. I had AutoZone run a diagnostic and they said the car was fine. Drove another couple of weeks before it happened again. This time the car would not restart and I was stopped in a very dangerous location so I had AAA tow it to my residence. The next day the car started. I drove another two weeks before reoccurring. I was able to drive it home and it has been parked. There are never any warning, check engine light, etc. A Nissan mechanic told me the symptoms I told him sounds like an issue with the sensor mobilizer. I Google searched and found a recall for the Nissan Rogue but not the Nissan Altima. I did a VIN report and it showed 0 recalls. I definitely have a serious safety issue. Without warning the car gets no response from the gas pedal.
Electrical system, May 23, 2023, fire
I was at work, the car was parked and off for more than 4 hours, came out and my car was on fire. Passenger driver side, at that point me and coworkers were rushing buckets of water and dumping them on my car. The fire department investigated and it was the cooling fan wiring that caused the fire.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, May 5, 2023
My car is periodically not accelerating at a stop when I push on the gas pedal.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Jan 4, 2022
The BACKUP CAMERA LENSE has become blurry and makes it harder to recognize objects. My vehicle has only 38K + miles on it. I own a 2017 1/2 Nissan Altima SV.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 2, 2021
The car delays to accelerate from a stopped position. While sitting at traffic lights you can press the gas all the way to the floor and the car will not accelerate for a few seconds and then slingshot you forward. After this happens the car will not change gears and revs to 5000 RPMs while in the middle of traffic. If you can safely pull off to the side of the road and turn the car off for a few seconds and restart it, the car resumes to function normally. This is extremely dangerous, especially when making left hand turns with children in the car. In my research, this a known problem to Nissan and there has been no recall.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 4, 2021
Transmission problems Brake system is horrible, constantly have to replace brakes and rotors Powertrain and other problems I've made several complaints to Nissan, I have put so much money in this car! Compressor went out almost 7 months after I purchased this car. I would give Nissan a 0 rating on the 2017 Nissan Altima
Electrical system, Jun 28, 2021
Speakers randomly stop working during a drive. No longer will come. Back on. As well as the door button to unlock the vehicle on the door handle on the driver side doesn't work at all and constant stereo issues. Stereo doesn't always provide connected devices current song playing.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2021
THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, DOES NOT MAINTAIN A SOLID SPEED, INCREASES AND DECREASES SPEED ON IT OWN, WHEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH NOT GO WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, IT WILL TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN ACCELERATE AT A REALLY HIGH SPEED OR FORCE. THE WINDOWS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, THE STEERING COLUMN TIGHTENS AND THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. IT WILL DISPLAY THAT THE KEY IS MISSING AND TURN OFF. IT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS DURING IDLE AND IN MOTION, ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2020
DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WONT LOCK AS WELL AS WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 14, 2020
MY CAR GET CRAZY ELECTRICAL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION SLEEP ALONE 5 MINUTES LATER CAR TURN ON BY SELF LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN STAR HAPPENED I TRY TO STOP THE CAR BRAKE DON'T WORK CAR STILL RUNNING ONLY THINK ITS WORK EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 24, 2020
PUSH BUTTON START FAILS IN DRIVEWAY
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2020
WHEN VEHICLES PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP OUT OF TIGHT AREAS AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS FOR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 22, 2019
I HAVE LESS THAT 8000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I'M A DISABLED VETERAN WITH A SERVICE RELATED DISABILITY. I'VE HAD THE CAR MAYBE TWO YEARS. I WAS ON THE I-12 AND THE CAR BEGIN TO DECELERATE OFF AND ON AND THEN STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OFF RAMP. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED. CAR STILL ISNT PAID OFF. I'VE READ OTHER YEAR MODLES WITH SAME ISSUES AND NO FIXES EITHER HELP OR SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHAT OR MY RIGHTS AND CURRENTLY AWAITING FOR DEALER TO LOOK AT CAR.
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2018
SINCE THE START OF 2018 I HAVE HAD MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE. EVERY TIME THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURE THEY ALSO SAID THE SAME THING THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY THAT I STATED. THIS IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING.
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2018
THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW CLOSES VERY SLOWLY ALL THE TIME
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED INDEPENDENTLY OFF A CLIFF AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WRIST, BACK, HEAD, AND LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER (BULLOCK TOYOTA, (662) 773-6281, 269 N COURT AVE, LOUISVILLE, MS 39339). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2018
MY CAR WON'T TURN ON. IT KEEP SAYING KEY ID INCORRECT WHEN I PUSH THE REMOTE START BUTTON. I ALREADY REPLACED MY KEYLESS ENTRY KEY FOB BATTERY AND STILL NO POWER IN MY CAR NOT EVEN TO OPEN THE CAR. I HAVE TO USE THE MANUAL KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR TO MY CAR. I TRIED JUMP STARTING MY CAR MAYBE CAR BATTERY DEAD I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE STILL UNABLE TO TURN MY CAR ON. I WILL HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 10 MONTHS AND IT WAS WITH 4 MILES SO PRETTY MUCH A BRAND NEW CAR.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 6, 2018
FIRST DAY OF MAJOR HEAT WAVE. FIRE ON SIDE OF TRAVELED ROAD AS TRAFFIC STARTS TO MOVE THE 2017 ALTIMA 3.5 ENGINE CAR WITH ANOUT 9500 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LOOSES POWER AND GAS PEDDLE HAS NO RESPONSE. CAR FELT HEAVY ROLLS BACKWARDS TOWARDS EDGE AS IT SEEMED IT HAD SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. TRY TO RESTART AND WON'T START UNTIL 4TH TRY. STILL HEAVY WITH LOSS OF POWER. MANAGED TO DRIVE PASS THE DANGER AREA NOT KNOWING WHY A NEW VEICHLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT NOTICE. DOING SOME RESEARCH NOW AND GETTING SCARED.IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO OTHER NISSAN VEICHLE PROBLEMS.WORRIED THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR TO DRIVE
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 6, 2018
HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. 1ST THE WINDOWS WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN, AND NOW ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WORK ( POWER LOCKS, REAR VIEW CAMERA, TURNING SIGNALS, DOORS DONT LOCK WITH REMOTE, AND CAR DOESNT SHIFT OUT OF PARK UNLESS I USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON). VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IT HAPPENED ON JULY 6 2018