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.
Structure, Aug 5, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP AND THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL DEALING WITH THE HOOD LATCH
Power train, Aug 5, 2020
MY CAR IS A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. UNTIL 7/25/20, I HAD NO ISSUES OR COMPLAINTS. ON 7/25/20 THE GEAR STARTED DELAYING SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP. I HAD TO PAY $130 FOR THEM TO TELL ME I NEEDED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION ON A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION AND MAINTENANCE. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY EXTENDED THE CVT TRANSMISSION WARRANTY ON THE 2015 ALTIMAS, BUT BECAUSE MINE WAS 7,000 MILES OUT OF THE STANDARD WARRANTY AND THE 2017 VEHICLES WEREN'T SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN THE EXTENSION, I WAS BEING ASKED TO PAY $6000 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THEY ULTIMATELY OFFERED 60% OF COVERAGE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS BUT NOW I AM DEALING WITH THE ALIGNMENT NOT WORKING AND THE CAR STILL JERKING AFTER PAYING AN ADDITIONAL $1650. I AM LIVID AND UPSET THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THAT NISSAN IS NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I HAVE CHILDREN I DRIVE AROUND AND IT'S NOT SAFE TO BE DOING SO WITH A CAR THAT HAS DEFECTIVE PARTS.
Power train, Aug 1, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA FAILED AFTER 35,000 MILES. THE TRANIMSSION WAS REBUILT A WEEK AGO AND THE REBUILT CVT TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED BEFORE THE CAR REACHED 36,000 MILES. I DO NOT TRUST NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS AND FEEL THAT THIS CAR WILL FAIL ON ME AGAIN STOPS ACCLERATING WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ALREADY.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 28, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE HOOD OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STOPPED IN THE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY TO CLOSE THE HOOD AND AS A RESULT AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE UNABLE TO CLOSED. THERE WAS NO FIRE, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, OR POLICE REPORT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT CALLED HIS INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE INFORMED THE DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE HOOD WAS UNLATCHED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, PREVIOUSLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,465. INVALID VIN.*DT LN*JB
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Engine, Jul 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED SHE NOTICED THE HOOD LATCH WAS CONSTANTLY UNLATCHED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Jul 19, 2020
HOOD LATCH
Power train, Jul 17, 2020
ON 30 JUNE, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 4:15 PM, MY 3 YEAR OLD NISSAN ALTIMA STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 64 EAST BOUND GOING UP THE HIGH RISE BRIDGE. ABOUT HALF WAY UP I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCELERATE. MY MOMENTUM ALLOWED ME TO REACH THE TOP AND COAST DOWN THE OTHER SIDE. DUE TO BEING IN THE LEFT LANE AND RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THIS CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS HURT, THE POTENTIAL FOR IT WAS HIGH. AFTER GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE NEAR MILE MARKER 294, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN BACK ON, NO CHANGE. I WAS ABLE TO BACK UP AND REV THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL BUT NO REVVING/RPM INCREASE OR NON GRAVITY FORWARD MOTION WHILE IN DRIVE. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THE NEXT DAY THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY. I RESEARCHED IT AND THE SYMPTOMS DID NOT MATCH A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. I ALSO RESEARCH TO SEE OF OTHERS HAD THIS ISSUE AND IT APPEARS TO BE COMMON WITH NISSAN VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SOME OTHERS WITH VEHICLES UNDER WARRANTY WERE ALSO TOLD THE SAME THING. OFTEN WHEN THIS SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH OTHER VEHICLES AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, AND REOCCURRED AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OFF, THEY WERE TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS HARM, I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. I WAS ON A BRIDGE AND IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT, AND HURT PEOPLE. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR EQUIPMENT THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE.
Power train, Jul 16, 2020
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY IT LOST POWER AND WOULD HARDLY MOVE EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
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.
Power train, Engine, Jul 9, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY ALTIMA WAS STRUGGLING TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR DROVE AS THOUGH IT WAS STUCK BETWEEN DRIVE AND NEUTRAL. AFTER EXITING THE OFF-RAMP MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WAS ADRIFT. SHIFTING FROM VARIOUS GEARS AND BACK TO DRIVE DID NOTHING. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND SHIFT TO DRIVE AS LOWER DRIVE DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A DEALERSHIP BUT COULD FEEL THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION DYING ALONG THE WAY. THE ALTIMA WAS 2017 WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH ONLY 5,000 MILES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 29, 2020
CAR WILL STOP ACCELERATING OUT OF NOWHERE . CAR WILL SPIKE THE RPMS BUT CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING I WAS ALMOST T-BONED WHEN MY CAR DELAYED FOR 4 SECONDS BEFORE IT ACCELERATED . NISSAN IS CLAIMING IT'S THE TRANSMISSION AND IT'S NOT FAULTY . THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE . IF THEY DO NOT FIX NISSAN WILL ME LOSING MY BUSINESS . *TR
Power train, Jun 25, 2020
THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIFTING WENT BAD AT 67,000 MILES AND THE VALVE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN IT WAS NEEDING TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED WITHOUT GAS OR BRAKE APPLIED IT WOULD JUMP BETWEEN GEARS WITHOUT REASON AND FELT LIKE A SHUDDER AS I WAS DRIVING IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 24, 2020
I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO NISSAN BUT I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. *TR
Engine, Jun 5, 2020, fire
II NOTICED A WEIRD SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE FOR A ABOUT MONTH BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT. I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN MY CAR STARTED SMOKING, SHUT OFF, AND CAUGHT ON FIRE! HAD THIS CAR FOR NOT EVEN 1 YEAR WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED. TOOK GOOD CARE OF THE CAR, TOOK IT TO GET OIL CHANGES. NOT SURE HOW THIS CAN RANDOMLY HAPPEN. *TR
Power train, May 31, 2020
TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AT 76000 MILES ON THE FREEWAY. COULDN'T GET MY SPEED OVER 45 MPH. THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE! NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP ME. THEY WANT 4000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE CRAP CVT TYRANNY.
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
Power train, May 27, 2020
THE CAR HAS A DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING, WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO PUSH TOO FAR ON THE ACCELERATOR SINCE THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY ACCELERATE. THE TACHOMETER WILL ALSO GO UP TO 5000 RPM WHEN GOING BETWEEN 55 AND 60MPH. IT WILL NOT SHIFT DOWN AT HIGH WAY SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT EITHER ISSUE IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON. BOTH ISSUES ARE INTERMITTENT BUT IF ONE OCCURS THE OTHER DOES ALSO. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AFTER COME TO A STOP A FREE DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE IS JUST UNDER THREE YEARS OLD WITH 54,000 MILES. RECENTLY I HAD THE DEALER LOOK AT IT AND I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED/INSPECTED, CODES/COMPUTER CHECKED AND THE PROGRAM UPDATED FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $330. TIME WILL TELL IF FIXED THE ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH I AM UNDER THE 60000 POWERTRAIN WARRANT AND THE 60000 MILE RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE. *TR
Structure, Equipment, May 22, 2020
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. CABLING CAME LOOSE FROM THE HANDLE APPARENTLY. DOOR IS ABLE TO BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT WAS LIKE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ON. ALSO THE FRONT FLOOR MAT EYE HOOK RING TORE AWAY FROM THE FLOOR MAT ALLOWING IT TO MOVE UP UNDER THE GAS AND BREAK PEDAL. *TR
Structure, May 21, 2020
I BOUGHT A USED 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH IT AND NO ACCIDENTS SINCE I'VE HAD IT. THERE'S QUITE COLLECTION OF WATER ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. NO LEAKS FROM THE ROOF, DOORS, OR WINDOWS. *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
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
Power train, May 12, 2020
IT WAS CLEAR FOR ME TO PULL OUT ON TO THE HIGHWAY FROM A COMPLETE STOP. AS I WAS ALMOST IN MY LANE OF TRAFFIC MY CAR STARTED JERKING, SLIPPING, AND WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY. *TR
Power train, May 10, 2020
AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM A TRIP TO THE LAKE OUR CAR STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHTS IN DRIVE. . IT WOULD SEEM TO STALL OUT AND NOT ACCELERATE. LUCKILY IT WORKED ENOUGH TO GET US THE LAST MILE HOME. TODAY (THE NEXT DAY) MY HUSBAND WENT TO GO RUN ERRANDS AND AFTER PUTTING THE 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA INTO GEAR THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THE CAR IS PARKED IN OUT DRIVEWAY. THERE IS A WHINING SOUNDS THAT COMES OUT OF THE ENGINE WHILE IDLING. WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR THE WHINING GETS LOUDER AND THE RPMS WILL JUMP UP BUT THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL. NO MATTER WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN. *TR
Engine, May 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.