2017 Nissan Altima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Altima years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2017 Nissan Altima has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 391 complaints, 3 recalls, and Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 34% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 391
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 24 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 23 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 37 hwy
Top 2017 Nissan Altima problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain133 (34%)
- Airbags73 (19%)
- Engine73 (19%)
- Other63 (16%)
- Electrical System44 (11%)
- Structure & Body36 (9%)
- Brakes21 (5%)
- Fuel System17 (4%)
- Steering16 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration where the brakes failed to slow the car despite pressing the pedal, with the cruise control light illuminated unexpectedly.
- Some drivers describe the transmission stalling during acceleration or mid-drive, leading to loss of control.
- The hood has reportedly opened while driving at highway speed without warning, forcing drivers to stop in traffic to close it.
- Airbags have reportedly failed to deploy during collisions, including one case where all four airbag sensors threw fault codes.
- Owners report engine compartment fires, including one where smoke and burning smell preceded the engine catching fire, and another involving cooling fan wiring igniting while parked.
- Steering wheels have reportedly locked up mid-turn, causing loss of steering control and axle damage.
2017 Nissan Altima recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V315000May 28, 2020Structure & Body1,831,818 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 OwnerÂs 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.
- NHTSA 18V915000Dec 19, 2018Structure & Body341,003 vehicles
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.
- NHTSA 17V040000Jan 18, 2017Structure & Body341,005 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.
2017 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Nissan Altima reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Altima a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst among 16 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Altima years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Nissan Altima?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 34% of the 391 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,000.
- Does the 2017 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Altima, all related to Structure & Body issues including hood latches and rear door latch-lock cables, none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2017 Altima compare to other years?
- The 2017 Altima's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than 2013-2016 (Avoid years with indexes 80-100) but higher than 2018 and later years, which mostly rate Good or Best.
- Are airbags a concern in the 2017 Nissan Altima?
- Airbags are the second-largest complaint category, with 73 complaints (19% share) and 10 crashes reported, at a median mileage of 65,000.