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: exterior lighting
18 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
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
Exterior lighting, Sep 5, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front headlights were dim. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an Extended Warranty Program for the failure; however, the Extended Warranty had expired in 2023. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,850
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
Exterior lighting, Structure, Service brakes, Apr 11, 2025
I'm driving in my car is cool right right left line a nice Crush the part of the car and the front left
Exterior lighting, Feb 10, 2025
My vehicle has 55K miles, and you can not see your headlights shining out front of the vehicle at night. It looks like you only have on running lights. Please note the headlights do not have any problem with lens oxidation.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jun 18, 2024
Nissan had a extended warranty on their headlight assembly. I didn't know this until 2023. I than went to Riverhead Auto Mall and had it tested, they said it passed This was on 11/28/2023. Finally based on my disbelief they agreed to have it retested pro bono at Nissan 112. It did fail the test in May of 2024. I have a daughter with a condition that requires me to drive her to and from work in inclement weather. At night I can barely see and I am putting ourselves and others at risk. They are now claiming the warranty ended in 2024 and they want me to pay half of the replacement cost. My contention is that if the first dealer had done the right thing I wouldn't be in this position.
Exterior lighting, Feb 10, 2024
low beam headlights extremely dim
Exterior lighting, May 5, 2023
Headlights are continuing to get Dimmer. I was never notified by Nissan regarding the replacement campaign
Exterior lighting, Jan 28, 2023
Headlights are dim. I am aware that there is a settlement in place where Nissan extended the warranty to 6 years. My car is in this warranty period. The headlights are dim and getting worse, I have taken it to the Nissan dealership and they test them and note that there is not a problem, but it is difficult to drive at night and it is a safety issue.
Exterior lighting, Sep 23, 2022
Headlights are to dim to see the road at night. Very dangerous. This has gotten progressively worse. When researching I found their are class action lawsuits about this issue. While there does not appear to be an official recall, I was not notified of the lawsuit and wonder why there is not an official recall.
Exterior lighting, Aug 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver-side heat would shine dimly without warning while in use. Due to the failure, the contact would have to use her high beam headlights to safely operate the vehicle at night. The contact had reached out to the dealer and was informed that both headlights would need replacement to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the parts were on backorder; the vehicle had yet to be serviced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 11, 2022
Class action suit letter received that on car headlights would be replaced as they are very dim. North Plainfield, nj Nissan has said for past 4 months they are on back order. Dangerous situation and I believe they do not want to spend money to comply with class action suit.
Exterior lighting, Mar 22, 2022
There is a headlight system error that pops up on dash
Exterior lighting, Feb 20, 2020
THE LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. I WAS ALMOST IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT (COULDN'T SEE UPCOMING TRAFFIC CIRCLE) AS A RESULT. I HAVE TO RELY ON HIGH BEAMS FOR VISIBILITY WHENEVER POSSIBLE . THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED. I AM POSITIVE THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT FIXED.
Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2020
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT DRIVING AT NIGHT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2019
DIM HEADLIGHTS- BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BUT NO DIFFERENCE. BASICALLY CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AFTER DUSK. BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK FINE BUT THE DIM ARE SO DIM YOU CANY TELL THEY ARE EVEN ON. NO VISIBILITY AT NIGHT- SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ALL INVOLVED.
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