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.
Power train, Aug 3, 2022
Know issue by Nissan with 2013-17 Altima. I experienced Pedal throttle delay response with no engine acceleration. They have identified the issue in the vehicles , but will not fix. I just took my vehicle to the dealer today and they said that they could not find anything wrong. I found many online forums and Nissan documents outlining the issue just as I have experienced. Nissan service bulletin NTB16-110L
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2022
After being stopped, waiting to turn left at an intersection, pressing on the gas pedal produced no acceleration for several seconds. This is not he first time that this has happened and could easily lead to an accident.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2022
My problem began about a year to a year and a half ago. When I come to a full stop, and I press the accelerator pedal down, the engine does not rev, the RPM’s do not go up and the car does not move for about 3-5 seconds, and then the car just starts accelerating rapidly all of a sudden. This problem has been persistent and very random. It has occured countless times and at first I thought oh, that’s weird, maybe the car was just on an incline but that was not the case because it kept happening over and over. This problem has become more persistent and it is very scary, as whenever I am trying to turn left at a green light at a busy intersection, there have been times that I was almost hit by an on-coming car because my car would just roll for about 3-5 seconds, regardless of how far down I pressed the accelerator pedal, and then it would very rapidly accelerate all at once. I do not know what the issue could be, there has never been a check-engine light, nor any errors or codes. My mechanic can’t do anything for me as they do not know what the problem could be. I urge you, can you please, please help me with this by issuing a recall, or contact Nissan on me and many other Nissan Altima owners behalf as there is a lot of evidence that this problem is very wide-spread. My car currently has 47,000 miles on the odometer, and I have done regular maintenance as required in the owners manual. I simply do not know what to do, and I also do not want to keep driving a car that potentially puts my own life, as well as other road users at risk. Please I urge you to look into this problem and contact me as soon as possible. At this point I would really like to resplve this issue as soon as physically possible.
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.
Engine, Jun 30, 2022
Transmission failure at 78,000 miles.
Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2022
Passenger seat belts does lock all the time. Front brakes I've had issues with since day one. Dealer tells me on 3 occasions there fine nothing wrong but have gone thur 5 brake pads sets. Now when I step on brakes or give gad to go it's like the throttle cable or something isn't working because it won't go. Have to either give it afew than try paddle or put in N than back to drive. Happens alot in traffic.
Power train, Engine, Jun 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered and hesitated during acceleration with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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.
Power train, May 21, 2022
The transmission on the vehicle failed to work causing me to be unable to accelerate while driving the vehicle. This put me in danger as I was driving on the highway and almost got hit. There were no warning signs prior to the issue occurring. No check engine light or anything came on.I called the Nissian customer care line and was told I needed to bring it in and pay money to get it looked at for them to decide if they would help me. I took it in, paid a substantial amount of money just for them to tell me they would not help. My case is not an anomaly. After researching online, thousands of individuals are having the same issue with their Nissan Altima transmissions after owning the vehicles for only a relatively short period of time. This is dangerous and irresponsible for Nissian to not take responsibility for a clear flaw in design that has put users of their vehicles at risk.
Power train, May 15, 2022
Car power train started to go out at 88K miles. Started with a coolant leak issue as it mysteriously drained on my way home from work. Seemed to “fix” itself as a month went by after I was told by 2 auto shops they couldn’t find a coolant leak. Car then started to overheat and not hold coolant at all. Took it back in, was told again “no coolant leak”. Keep being told the same thing over and over again. But I am the one buying coolant and putting it in almost daily. No warning light for low coolant came on nor did check engine light kick in. Didn’t notice car started to overheat until I couldn’t feel cold air anymore coming out from AC and looked at the car temp gauge. Car is now around 100K miles and still being told “it’s just water leaking out”. Car does not drive like it supposed to. Warranty ended at 85K miles and when it first happened I asked and begged them to replace everything and was told no even though mileage wasn’t even far from 85K at the time. Car now jerks when stopped at a light or beginning to accelerate again after coming to a stop.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2022
This incident happened many times on the highway and normal streets, when I stepped on the pedal for gas not responding, and I needed to wait almost 40 seconds, and looked like I had lost power, like the transmission not working correctly
Air bags, May 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and was informed that an unstated wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Steering, Apr 5, 2022, crash
The armbar connected to the front driver's side tire locked up during a left turn and then disconnected from the tire. I had no control over the steering and the car was still moving. I had two choices, run into the curb to stop the car or go over into a ditch about 30 feet down. When I ran into the curb it busted the tire and damaged my front bumper. I could've been seriously injured, injured someone else, died, or killed someone because I had no control over the steering. This is very dangerous and I have seen a few other people report similar instances like mine. the vehicle is currently at the Ancia Nissan in San Antonio and waiting for my insurance company to look at it. The mechanic said it may be totaled but he wasn't sure. There was no warning signs or anything. I am going to get to the bottom of this our lives were put in danger and I don't want this to happen to anyone else.
Exterior lighting, Mar 22, 2022
There is a headlight system error that pops up on dash
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.
Power train, Mar 4, 2022
I was in the middle of an intersection turning left, and the car stalled and I was almost hit by oncoming traffic. The car has problems accelerating and shifting gears. It will get up to 4 rpm's and not shift. This has happened several times, and is a safety risk . Fortunately, I was never hit. Nissan says I need a need CVT transmission. There's a class action suit filed for this model and the CVT transmission. However, since my car is 103, 000, Nissan will not replace unless 85,000. This is a manufacturer defect that needs fixed ASAP before someone gets in a terrible crash!
Air bags, Feb 5, 2022
Driving 2017 Altima (48000 miles)in the city Airbag light came on and stayed on.
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!!
Steering, Suspension, Jan 29, 2022
I have a clunking from the rear of my 2017 nissan altima when going over bumps and the front end of the car is also very unstable going around curves at highway speeds, the clunking is heard after going over bumps or dips in the road and it's the same noise that generated recall p9324 and I have attempted to get it fixed at the dealer to no prevail
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.
Engine, Jan 19, 2022, crash
The transmission on my 2017 Nissan Altima is stalling. It stall when I accelerate and in the middle of driving. This is a safety issue and has caused me to be in a recent accident.
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.
Steering, Dec 19, 2021, crash
I was on my way to work on Saturday 12/18 and as I was making a left turn my steering wheel locked and I actually hit a curb hopped it and went back into traffic. My axel broke on left hand side and blew my tire. Thankfully my children weren't in the car and a police officer happen to see the whole thing. I couldn't get my steering wheel to turn or come unlocked. That was very dangerous, and I could have been seriously injured and someone else also. I didn't get any warning lights or anything to this was going to happen. Clearly from the complaints this has been ongoing and there still hasn't been a recall to get the issue fixed or resolved. My insurance company will be looking into it.
Wheels, Dec 14, 2021, crash
On Sunday December 12th just north of Birmingham on I-65 there was a foreign object in the lane (appeared to be a fairly large piece on concrete). It was between 8-9p thus dark. Due to the amount of traffic driver could not swerve to avoid the object. The object bent the front driver wheel which resulted in needing to replace the driver front wheel and tire (OEM Nissan Wheel and cover, third party recycled tire). The object in the road could have caused far worse damage and bodily injury. We do not have a receipt for the $60.00 used tire.
Air bags, Dec 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.