2017 Nissan Altima: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 390 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 8 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 390 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 mileage at 108,757. It was later discovered that in June 2022, the mileage was listed as 156,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“Car not starting. Narrowed down to brake light switch not functioning properly. Jumped across the switch, car started. Push button ignition requires brakes to be depressed to start the vehicle. We have been close to being rear-ended twice lately. No warning lights signifying a problem. This is the second Altima I owned with this exact same failure to occur. First was a 2010 Altima S 2.5”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2026
“Driving on the freeway and car goes into limp mode very dangerous situation as spend was reduced and almost got rear ended by truck”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 Business Bureau to report the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 27,016.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2026
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“The first code it threw was for the master air flow sensor then it started bogging out not going over 1RPM -throwing the code "P17F0 CVT Judder" and has left me in some really,really bad situations in traffic, and when it boggs down like that (no matter how many times I turn it off and restart it, even if the battery drains all the way out and I have to get a jump) I have to wait two hours after unhooking the battery and sit for an hour if not more before I can start it up and actually get down the rd. And it runs great like nothing was wrong it. But doesn't get far before doing it again”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2026
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the hood unexpectedly opened and struck and cracked the windshield. Additionally, the driver's and passenger's side fenders were damaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,217.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2026
“Check engine light came on at approximately 96,000 miles in which vehicle would have a delayed acceleration upon stepping on gas pedal or going up hills. Took it to 3 different mechanics including Nissan dealer and all confirmed a CVT failure and need a replacement. Nissan of America is refusing to help even after there have been documented lawsuits and known issues with the CVT failing. This is unsafe and a recall is needed not just an extended warranty that doesn't help consumers who are over the 7 years but still under 100,000 miles like me.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2025
“The 2017 Nissan Altima has a delay in acceleration when the gas pedal is pressed. I couldn't accelerate pass 35-40 mph when I was driving. Thankfully it was bumper to bumper traffic.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2025
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the overhead console dislodged from the ceiling and fell downward, striking the driver on the head. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who determined that the clips attaching the console to the interior ceiling of the vehicle had failed, causing the console to detach and fall. The contact was informed that the console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 64,300.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2017 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Altima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Altima reliable?
NHTSA has 390 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Nissan Altima. The most complained-about area is power train (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2017 Nissan Altima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,000 miles or less.
Does the 2017 Nissan Altima have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.