2017 Nissan Altima problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Altima, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
321
Recalls
3
Crashes
19
Fires
4
Injuries
14
Median mileage
67,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 112 of 321 complaints (35%).
  • Airbags (67) and acceleration & cruise control (38) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 67,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 19 crashes, 4 fires and 14 injuries.
  • The 2017 Nissan Altima has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 4th of 22 Nissan Altima model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 7% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (344).

2017 Nissan Altima problems by category

  • 112 complaints
  • Airbags · 7 crashes
    67 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 5 crashes
    50 complaints
  • 38 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    32 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    28 complaints
  • Electrical System
    18 complaints
  • Lighting
    17 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash
    16 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    11 complaints
  • Steering · 2 crashes
    9 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    8 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    8 complaints
  • Suspension
    8 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 2 crashes
    2 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train111
Air bags66
Unknown or other49
Vehicle speed control36
Engine31
Fuel/propulsion system16
Electrical system16
Exterior lighting14

When problems happen (mileage)

6Under 10k810k–30k2730k–60k5160k–100k14100k–150k4150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Nissan Altima complaints that list mileage.

2017 Nissan Altima recalls (3)

  • Recall 20V315000May 28, 20201,831,818 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

    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.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: 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 Owner’s 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.

  • Recall 18V915000Dec 19, 2018341,003 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

    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.

    Risk: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 17V040000Jan 18, 2017341,005 vehicles
    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

    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.

    Risk: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.

    Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…

  • EA19002Opened Jul 29, 2019Closed Jun 16, 2025

    Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

    On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in s…

  • PE18013Opened Dec 1, 2018Closed Aug 21, 2019

    Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

    PE18-013 was opened on December 1, 2018, with 4 complaints to ODI alleging incidents of the lower control arm fracturing at a connection point to the vehicle chassis due to corrosion. ODI has received an additional 87 complaints since the PE was opened. During PE18-013, Nissan indicated model years 2013-2018 shared a common rear lower control arm design. Nissan provided complaint and warranty data regarding 48 incidents of the subject failure. The majority of the complaints are from vehicles registered in salt belt states. There have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities confirmed as of thi…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2017 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2017 Nissan Altima complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 10, 202655,000 miMTAirbagsElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with an electrical fault inside the air bag, and it was determined that the air bag inside the seat back needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the electrical fault from the air bag was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11763413 · source
  2. Filed Aug 12, 2026GALighting
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11756481 · source
  3. Filed Aug 11, 2026OKAirbagsSteering
    I was driving home from the store like 4 blocks away and on the road there’s dip n the road you can’t avoid it so after i drive over it the airbag light comes on with hitting anything.
    NHTSA complaint #11756382 · source
  4. Filed Aug 5, 2026VAAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    Shuddering and loss of acceleration/vehicle slowed on its own while driving on the highway. Managed to get to Firestone and diagnostic codes P0776 and P0841 came up. Advised to take vehicle to dealer shop as work could not be done on CVT there. Car was towed to Nissan Bonney Road Virginia Beach. Transmission replacement recommended and my car only has 53,000 miles on it but is outside the 84 month extended warranty drafted from class action lawsuits and settlement. I was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11754916 · source
  5. Filed Jul 21, 202627,016 miFLAirbags
    The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with a passenger inside the vehicle, the air big warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers to be inspected, and it was determined that the air bag sensor module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to reach out to the Better…
    NHTSA complaint #11751795 · source
  6. Filed Jul 20, 2026156,000 miCAElectrical System
    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace, the vehicle was then sold to a third person. The contact was informed by the third owner that the mileage on the vehicle was incorrect. The contact obtained a vehicle history report and discovered the mileage discrepancy. At the time the contact purchased the vehicle on the Facebook Marketplace, the seller listed the…
    NHTSA complaint #11751604 · source
  7. Filed Jul 18, 2026NMBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control
    Driving on the freeway and car goes into limp mode very dangerous situation as spend was reduced and almost got rear ended by truck
    NHTSA complaint #11751253 · source
  8. Filed Jul 14, 2026NCAirbags
    Airbag light unexpectantly came on without any collision action, or other unusual activity on 5/28/26. Delay getting car for inspection due to personal circumstances. On 6/29/26 car checked a nissan dealership. Inspected and checked codes. Coded as b0020-13 for air bag module defective. Recommended replacing driver side front seat back. This nissan altima 2017 not under recall, and call not under warranty. Safety of driver and passengers at risk.
    NHTSA complaint #11750262 · source

Compare the 2017 Nissan Altima with another vehicle →

Other 2017 Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology