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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2025
Mass airflow sensor and traction control light coming on . Second Nissan vehicle to do this.
Engine, Mar 25, 2025
I was driving my vehicle, and the vehicle had a unexpected rapid vehicle deceleration.
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
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.
Air bags, Feb 1, 2025
Warnining light stays on for airbag. Dealership confirmed seat needs to be replaced as airbag is defective and not working. Obviously not drivable unless a board member of Nissan would allow their loved ones to drive a vehicle without an airbag.
Suspension, Jan 29, 2025
Failed component: drivers front coil spring broke. Yes available for inspection upon request. Does not appear to have signs of exterior corrosion. Could effect drivability of vehicle. I think Nissan issued a technical service bulletin for 2022 Altima but not for 2017 Altima. Part has not been inspected by manufacture, police, or any others. No warning indications to driver. Incident occurred pulling out of driveway.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2025
No incident has happened yet. I am finding that there is a lot of discussion about faulty air bags on Nissan Altima's of all years. Mine is a 2017 Nissan Altima and my airbag light is on. There is a lot of discussion online of MANY people having the same issues and Nissan charging an arm and a leg to fix. If it is something that is wrong with so many cars then why is this not a recall? I have not taken it to a dealer as they want to charge over $200 to take a look at something that is obviously wrong with all of these cars. At what point does a recall go into effect? How many similar complaints have you received on this issue with Nissan Altima's?
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2024
Sun visor part number 96401-9HT2A needs replaced and Nissan has not had any available for this past year.
Power train, Oct 29, 2024
When first buying the car last year Jul 20,2023 the check engine light was on and I didn’t know that I had 149,000 miles because it read as 75,000. Every once in a while, while driving the car wouldn’t accelerate while pressing the gas but I wasn’t sure what the problem was because it’s my first car and only happen like ever 3-5 months. September 2024 a little over a year of having the car while driving to work the car kept jerking and the rpm was rising but my speed wasn’t changing. Eventually I turned around to go back home because it wasn’t safe to drive. I pulled over and turned the car off on my way home because I seemed as if it was getting worse once. I tried turning the car back on to go home and it wouldn’t crank up. Also when at red lights or stop signs after I stop the car will not go I will be stuck unless I’m continuously pressing the gas. I lost my job because I don’t have a car to get to and from work nor any money to pay $5,100 for this ridiculous repair. It’s even impossible to find a cheap transmission and install it yourself because all of them are over $1000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 25, 2024
Hello, I have a 2017 Nissan Altima, VIN# [XXX] and a few years ago there was a safety recall on the headlight system. The lights are very dim, they will not get bright after changing the bulbs multiple times and still not a fix. The lights are very dim at night and very hard to see. I tried scheduling an appointment and the Nissan dealership says this recall expired. My [XXX] daughter is driving the car and she keeps asking me that she cannot see with the lights on and working fine. Multiple times she has almost hit something close to the side of the road or another parked car because the lights are so dim but working fine. How can a safety recall expire, if an accident happens and Nissan refused to fix the safety issue and had a recall then Nissan Corporation may be liable for any injuries due to this accident. I just want to get the headlights fixed according to the safety recall but every time I call, it gets disconnected or I cannot get thru to anyone and they just keep me on hold. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bags, Oct 24, 2024
The airbag light turns on whenever someone else drives the car and moves the driver seat. The light stays on until we clear the code and then starts over again when someone moves the seat. The airbag code said that there was a problem with the sensor in the driver seat and the airbag may not deploy. The dealer wants more than $3,000 to fix this problem but I believe it is a manufacturer defect that affects safety and there should be a recall. I have read that there are many other drivers of 2017 Altimas who are having the exact same problem as I am having.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that there not been an air bag deployment. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,150.
Air bags, Oct 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s seat air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger’s seat occupant sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Power train, Oct 15, 2024
After coming to a complete stop at a stop light, the car fails to accelerate into the intersection. Its hesitation leaves you vulnerable in the intersection and could cause a head on collision or even a T-Bone accident. I feel like driving this vehicle puts the lives of my family at risk. After reading all the very similar complaints I don't understand how Nissan hasn't issued a recall yet. Nissan is leaving themselves open to a wrongful death lawsuit. How can they let this issue continue unresolved?
Air bags, Oct 10, 2024
My passenger occupancy sensor has triggered an airbag off warning light. I took it to a Nissan dealer who told me a part needed to fix it (the module) is back ordered from Japan with an indefinite delivery date. My car as you can tell a 2017 Altima. The 2013-2016 Altimas were recalled for this same problem as well as the 2017 Maximas. I do believe that the occupancy sensor was defective from the manufacturer and should be recalled and that my car's value has been diminished because of this flaw. I am asked to pay for the part in advance not knowing when they will receive it. I cannot have anyone sit in the passenger seat of my car for fear the airbag will not deploy. Please help.
Engine, Oct 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while exiting a car wash, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence where a handheld diagnostic scanner retrieved DTC code: P0130 (Oxygen Sensor). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 4, 2024
Engine control unit failure
Power train, Sep 12, 2024
Code has the transmission fluid pressure is bad
Air bags, Sep 9, 2024
2017 Nissan Altima. First time it happened was November 2023. Air bag warning light came on and when reset it stayed off till August of 2024. Another reset and a few days later the light was right back on. Nissan has not been helpful with this problem to find a solution to this problem without big price tag. They want to replace the seat, other components etc. that will cost over $3,000. Other owners are complaining of this as well. Recall only goes up to 2016 models however I feel that the 2017 models probably have the 2016 parts. Time for Nissan to do a recall for this model as well.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2024
My Nissan was bought Used. It has no damages and it drives well. I was told it was in an accident that affected the right side. The doors were replaced.
Power train, Sep 1, 2024
When pushing on the gas from a stop for a red light, the car did not go. Instead, I get a check engine light solid on the dash. When I read the code for the light it registered as a P-0776. Come to find out, there is a TSB that covers this exact same issue. If there was a vehicle coming in the other direction, there could have been a fatality.
Air bags, Seats, Aug 23, 2024
In November 2023 vehicle had an airbag warning light, took to Nissan Dealer. Inspected by Nissan service. Diagnostic and "repair" performed on driver side airbag. 8 months later in mid July -SAME airbag warning light came on. Needed an oil change in a few weeks and was not driving the vehicle due to out of town vacation. Took Vehicle to the same Nissan Dealership on 8/5/2024. Nissan again inspected and we were again charged for a diagnostic and told needed to fix by replacing the entire seat for $3000. When we asked the service manager why it wasn't fixed he stated perhaps the service in 2023 caused "corrosion" or a faulty airbag or faulty electrical. This is an internal issue inside the seat. Dealership would not help fix. Called Nissan Corporate and filed a case. This vehicle has never had any accidents or damage. Half of the national average of mileage. Meticulously cared for and taken only to Nissan for oil changes. Never touched the seat . After owning this vehicle for less than 7 years it has 45,142 miles . Filed a report with BBB a week ago and have not had any response. Was hoping in good faith Nissan would do the honorable thing and replace this seat as this is our family car. We take our children. to school in it. Go to church in it. Drive to family for get together in it. Now we are worried that the airbag may randomly deploy, or not deploy at all. It is a huge safety concern. We are worried that there may be other 2017 Nissans out there with similar issues. And we cannot sell , as we would never want to put another family at risk . Bottom line , Nissan is being negligent. There is a vehicle that clearly has faulty manufacturing / parts - and they do not wish to do the right thing. We do not feel we should be responsible for something that is not our fault. We hope this can be investigated, as this is an extremely popular vehicle - and there may be many more families at risk. Thank you
Air bags, Aug 22, 2024
MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON WHILE IM DRIVING
Power train, Aug 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine RPM increased; however, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The contact stated that a transmission software update was performed, and the transmission fluid was flushed and refilled. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 97,000.