YearToAvoid

2017 Nissan Altima Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 73 complaints on the 2017 Nissan Altima, or 19% of all complaints filed for that year. NHTSA records include 3 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries tied to this area, with a median failure mileage of 59,000. No related recall is listed for this specific engine issue.

Engine complaints
73
19% of 391
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
59,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden stalling while driving at moderate speeds, including one case linked to a crash.
  • Multiple owners describe under-hood fires starting near the passenger side or engine compartment, sometimes preceded by a burning smell.
  • Some vehicles lost power or hesitated for several seconds during acceleration, with owners saying the delay nearly caused collisions.
  • Oil leaks and illuminated check engine lights were reported, in one case requiring the engine to be removed for repair.
  • Jerking and inadvertent gear shifts accompanied by loss of motive power were reported alongside the check engine light.
  • Recurring oxygen sensor warning lights were reported even after the sensor was replaced.

When 2017 Nissan Altima engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 8, 2018, latest Aug 5, 2026.

2017 Nissan Altima engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32021 Q32022 Q32024 Q12025 Q12026 Q2
73 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q2 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2017 Nissan Altima

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Altima model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201070 (18%)
  2. 201147 (20%)
  3. 2012105 (25%)
  4. 2013206 (9%)
  5. 2014100 (9%)
  6. 201595 (10%)
  7. 2016127 (23%)
  8. 201773 (19%)
  9. 201823 (10%)
  10. 201964 (28%)
  11. 202043 (27%)
  12. 20217 (10%)
  13. 20227 (23%)
  14. 20237 (24%)
  15. 20245 (12%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2017 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA lists 73 engine-related complaints for the 2017 Nissan Altima, which is 19% of the 391 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Nissan Altima engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine problem area.
At what mileage do 2017 Altima engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2017 Altima is 59,000 miles.
Have there been any fires or crashes linked to the 2017 Altima engine?
NHTSA data shows 3 fires, 3 crashes, and 2 injuries associated with engine complaints on the 2017 Nissan Altima.
How does the 2017 Altima compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2017 Altima's 19% share of engine complaints is similar to 2011 (20%) and 2016 (23%), and lower than 2012 (25%) and 2019 (28%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.