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: other or unspecified
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2022
While driving down the highway at 70 mph, the transmission went out, no warning lights nothing. Vehicle RPM starting spiking then down to zero, engine sounded like it was in neutral, and the gas pedal being pushed. Got off the road and car would not go in drive or reverse, just stopped, had to have towed in. Cost $5000 to repair. Have owned many Altima’s and never a problem, this was awful.
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2022
After I am sitting in park or at a stop light my acceleration delays when I try to take off and gives an abrupt jolt to take off. It doesn’t happen all the time, but started in the last few months.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2022
Since October 2021 I have been taking my car back and forth to the Nissan Dealer Bob Bell in Baltimore MD for a check engine light. They fix parts each time and the light still came back on . As of today this will be my 6th time taking the car back. I don’t feel safe driving it and don’t know if this light caused other issues that may put me and other drivers in immediate danger. I have anxiety that it may break down on the road while driving and I won’t have a way to get out of harms way. I don’t know what else to do. It’s my only means of transportation.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2022, crash
HOOD LATCH RECALL 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA SR- CAUSED ACCIENT AND TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR!!! 1.24.22 my 18yr daughter was getting on the on ramp to interstate 75 south, accelerating to merge onto the interstate. The hood flies up, breaking the windshield, hitting the roof, where the interior light falls smacking my daughter in the face, causing her to veer off the road, where she took out a reflector on the side of the ramp, where it damaged my front end and the car then sliding to a crashing stop over a steel grate or utility box in the ground, where it snatched the under carriage apart- my car is totalled! I have since filed a claim with Nissan and gap insurance apprasier should come to the house tomorrow. I really feel like we need a lawyer. Please let me know your thoughts. I work nights at the hospital from 7p to 7am. I can be reached by text or email as well. I have reported this to Nissan file number is 45641261, I have spoke with several reps since the accident and no one seems to want to do anything and has referred my case to a reginal dept., but I work nights 7p-7a and during the days I am sleeping, they leave a voicemail to notify me of there call and that's it! same customer number to call back into to have the same cycle repeated! I have GAP insurance on the vehicle and have an appraiser coming to the house tomorrow between noon/2am. no POLICE WERE CALLED, I DID A POLICE REPORT ON LINE- I DID NOT GO THRU MY INSURANCE AS I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE SOLVED BY NISSAN! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY DEDUCTIBLES FOR REPAIR TO MY CAR ON A RECALL! THIS ACCIDENT HAPPEND WITH OUT WARNING! NO WARNING SIGNS!!
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2022
Twice in one day, one hour apart, the xar would not accelerate, then accelrated wildly. First time, pulling onto a road from a stop, it hardly sped up, I put the pedal to the floor, and it did not increase speed as expected, in fact hardly at all. I was trying to merge with oncoming traffic so this would have caused a wreck if there wasn't as much space between me and the oncoming traffic. I kept trying to accelerate, pushing the pedal, letting it out, pushing it again, and it continued to not accelerate as expected. I then pulled off the road to let traffic pass and see if it revved in park, and it sounded fine. After traffic cleared, I tried again, and thia ti.e it functioned normally. I drove about 50 miles, stopped somewhere, and ha no problems. When I left that place, trying to pull onto the road and merge with oncoming traffic, it happened again. I once again tried to push the pedal further to speed up, and at first it would not, but then it SUDDENLY accelerated and I fishtailed in a busy road. Luckily there was not an accident. I let off the pedal and gained control, and it drove normally after that.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2021
I allege odometer tampering. I purchased the vehicle on 03/21/2021 with 74,826 miles. I found a smog document in the car which reflects the vehicle was smogged on 02/06/2021 with 75,526 miles.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 7, 2021
Had to replace rear brake pads at 21,100 miles…very odd to have to replace at such a low mileage. Also, the major issue I’m having is with water leaking into my car…the dealership first said they thought it was due to clogged sunroof drains….they were wrong…took it back after issue still happening, and now they are saying that the sunroof drains are deformed…the water is coming in from under the dash onto the passenger side of the floor and going to the back. Also, leaking from the top edge onto the passenger seat. There also is some water on the driver seat, and the driver’s seatbelt feels damp. Under both the passenger & driver’s seat there is rust….this car was brand new when I got it. The car has heated/power seats. I’m concerned that this water damage may cause other issues down the road..including safety issues. Rust and mold are not good. There also is a bad odor.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 6, 2021, crash
1).Sometimes I can smell exhaust gas inside the car room like in my previous car Nissan Maxima SE 2008, which is extremely dangerous. 2).The rear camera works no so well - sometimes rearview disappearing completely. Also, approximately a year ago, I received a letter regarding Nissan Altima SV 2017 recall(s). I contacted several different Nissan dealers in Miami but nobody knows about the recall. Could you explain please what is going on with recalls? Thanks.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2021
While driving, my car seems to lock up, for instance, I was driving down the highway, doing 70 mph, and my car suddenly locked up, slowing me down to 55 mph within seconds, before it finally unlocked. Also, while I was breaking, the car accelerated, almost shooting me through a stop sign.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2021
I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA SV, 4CYL, 2.5L... I AM HAVING WORSENING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OFF FROM A RED LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE, IT WILL HESITATE FOR ABOUT 4,5 SECONDS, RPMS INCREASE THEN A SURGE OF ACCELERATION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IT WILL LOSE SPEED WITH MY FOOT ON THE GAS, EVEN WITH THE RPMS UP AS IF IT WERE MOVING FASTER.. THANKFULLY THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME WERE ATTENTIVE OR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME AND OTHERS A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE, LIKE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A CROSS STREET TURN LANE. IT WAS SPORADIC AT FIRST; I WENT TO VALVOLINE AND GOT REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE GUY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE LIGHT. IT STARTED UP AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER, AND I GOT A NEW AIR FILTER AND WENT BACK FOR A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING. ANOTHER GUY RESET THE ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN, AND NOW(ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER)IT'S BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETIMES, I'D PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND IT HELPED A BIT. NOW(YESTERDAY) THAT ISN'T HELPING AND THE SLOW ACCELERATION AND SPEED HAPPENS EVERY TIME. I USED THE DIAGNOSING TOOL AT AUTO ZONE WHICH READ, "P0776-PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID B PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF". I AM SEEING THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING, AND EVEN A RECALL ON THE MODELS UP TO 2016 REGARDING THIS, BUT 2017 AND AFTER SEEM TO BE GETTING IGNORED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2021
VEHICLE KEEPS SHIFTING INTO SPORTS MODE WITHOUT ACTIVATING IT
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2020
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE HOOD LATCH WHICH NISSAN HAS NO RESOLUTION FOR AT THIS TIME. FIRST- THIS SAME RECALL EXISTED ON MY 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA AND WHILE THE CURRENT RECALL IS LISTED AT JUNE 2020 FOR THE 2017 ALTIMA THIS ISSUE IS NOT NEW OR UNKNOWN TO NISSAN. THEY SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PERMANENTLY AND SAFELY RESOLVE THE ISSUES. SECOND- THE CURRENT "FIX" IS TO PRESS DOWN FIRMLY ON THE HOOD EVERY TIME BEFORE DRIVING. THIS IS NOT A RESOLUTION AND OWNERS OF VEHICLES IMPACTED BY THIS RECALL SHOULD QUALIFY FOR A MANDATORY BUY BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2020
DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, IT WONT REV OR DO ANYTHING FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE CAR WILL FINALLY MOVE. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IN AN INTERSECTION OR SWITCHING LANES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO CODES WHEN THE DEALER TEST IT. DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN, HAD TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, NO HELP. ONCE I TURN OFF THE CAR IT RESETS ITSELF AND WILL WORK FINE UNTIL THE NEXT STOP.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2020, crash
ON SEPT. 15TH 2020, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND FROM THERE PUSHED ACROSS FOUR LANES HEAD ON INTO MEDIAN CEMENT WALL THE CAR THEN ROLLED BACK INTO TRAFFIC WHERE I WAS HIT AGAIN BY ANOTHER TRUCK IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AND HOOD AREA, THIS SENT ME BACK INTO THE GUARD RAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DURING THIS COLLISION NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE FRONT OR REAR, THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THE AIRBAGS, THE BLIND SPOT SAFETY FEATURE WAS ON AND DID NOT ALERT ME TO DRIVER SIDE BLIND SPOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCIDENT I WAS TRANSPORTED TO ATLANTA VA MEDICAL HOSPITAL OFF 1670 CLAIRMONT RD. DECATUR, GA 30033.*DT*JB
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2020, crash
ON SEPT. 15TH 2020, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS REAR ENDED BY A TRACTOR TRAILER AND FROM THERE PUSHED ACROSS FOUR LANES HEAD ON INTO MEDIAN CEMENT WALL THE CAR THEN ROLLED BACK INTO TRAFFIC WHERE I WAS HIT AGAIN BY ANOTHER TRUCK IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL AND HOOD AREA, THIS SENT ME BACK INTO THE GUARD RAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DURING THIS COLLISION NONE OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE FRONT OR REAR, THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THE AIRBAGS, SYSTEM DID NOT ALERT ME TO TRAFFIC IN BLIND SPOT, SAFETY FEATURE FOR THIS WAS ON. THE CAR IS LOCATED AT BARROW WRECKER SERVICE SHOP & YARD 2267 DIXIE AVE SE, SMYRNA, GA 30080. 770-435-8945. I WILL ATTACH POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2020
REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY THEN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I NEVER KNOW IF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED. IF THE FOB WAS USED TO LOCK THE CAR AND THELOCK DID NOT FULLY LOCK, YOU CAN OPEN THE DOOR BUT THEN IT SETS OFF THE CAR ALARM. THE REMOTE START WILL NOT WORK ANYMORE WHICH I AM ALSO GUESSING IS DUE TO THE LOCKING ISSUE. SPOKE TO THE DEALER BUT MY CAR IS OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND I DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, SO THEY SAY IT'S AN EXTREMELY COSTLY DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY FOR A CAR THATS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS OLD.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2020
COLLISION LIGHT SHOWS UP ON DASH. THE LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME WHEN DRIVING ON LITTLE BUMPY HIGHWAY STREETS AND / OR DRIVING DOWN ON BRIDGES. LIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME. NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. NO DTC. WAS PRESENT WHEN SCANNED BY TECHNICIAN. CAR IS DRIVEN 17500 MILES ONLY AND NO ACCIDENTS.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 10, 2020
MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2017 WILL JUST STOP ACCELERATING OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE OTHER VEHICLES ARE COMING BEHIND ME ON THE INTERSTATE ROAD THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND IT HAPPENS LIKE ALMOST EVERY 3 WEEKS BACK TO BACK, SINCE DECEMBER 2019 TILL DATE MY CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE AND WILL BE MOVING TOO SLOW LIKE ITS ABOUT TO STOP ON THE ROAD WHILE STILL DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL ACCELERATE SLOWLY AND MOVE BUT STILL NOT MOVING LIKE NORMAL.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2020
MY 2017 ALTIMA IS EXPERIENCING A SPORADIC DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT WON'T REV OR DO ANYTHING FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS NO MATTER HOW FAR DOWN THE PEDAL IS. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'LL GO. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO CODES. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, IT'S LIKE IT RESETS AND HAS MORE POWER AFTERWARDS. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2020
THE FOB HAD STOPPED WORKING ONLY THING IT'S DOES IS START THE CAR NO REMOTE START NOT UNLOCK DOORS. AFTER PAYING 200 FOR A NEW PHONE TO BE PROGRAMMED NOT TO MUCH THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS I HAVE SPENT IN GETTING LOCK OUT ASSISTANCE FOR LOCKING KEYS IN CAR A FOB IS EASILY LOST WHEN IT HAD TO BE UNATTACHED FROM THE DOOR KEY ITSELF. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2020
ALL ROTORS ARE BAD PADS OK
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2020, fire
VEHICLE FIRE STARTED FROM PASSENGER SIDE UNDER HOOD WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON BATTLEFIELD PARKWAY IN RINGGOLD, GA. CAR HAD 50,000 MILES. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO CALL 911, CAR GOT ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. CATOOSA COUNTY SHERIFF AND CATOOSA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED.
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
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2019
TRUNK IS CLOSE BUT DASH BOARD SAYS OPEN WHILE DRIVING IT BEEPS AND PERIODICALLY HESITATES TO TAKE OFF AT NORMAL SPEED