2017 Nissan Altima Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 200,000 miles

Just bought a 2017 Nissan Altima SR. Took it for a ride. Attempted to merge into traffic and the car had zero acceleration once I merged and then the transmission seemed to completely disengage. The RPMs week to around 3500 so I quickly had to pull off so as not to get rear ended. Brought the car to a stop and attempted several times to…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 20,000 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 27,016 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 57,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Check engine light came on will not go off transmission fluid burnt replaced transmission fluid because transmission was slipping out of gear not finding the correct gear I do believe it was starting off in second gear instead of first. Drive slightly better in manual after fluid gets warm but not overheating the car will start jerking…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the engine and oxygen sensor warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the oxygen sensor warning…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 148,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 61,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving my 2017 Nissan Altima SV, today on 3/3/23, and had just got on to a busy highway. I had my foot on the gas pedal trying to get to 60 mph. However, the car wouldn't accelerate past 40mph and was making a humming noise, even as I floored it. I looked to see if the car was in another gear but it was in drive. I had to pull the…Owner complaint, filed 2023

I am driving for about 40min my nissan stop accelerating. I can floor the gas pedal. It will not increase speed. My speed starts to decline . I can't go faster. I have to put my hazard lights on and coast to get of freeway. No check engine lights no warning. I have taken it to nissan to get updated soft ware. Still no warnings no codes.…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (14), Hood: latch (8).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the hood unexpectedly opened and struck the front windshield. The failure caused windshield glass shards to fly into the contact's eyes. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and called the insurance company, which dispatched a tow truck to…Owner complaint, filed 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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 134,217 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 156,000 miles

The issue appears to involve the vehicle’s battery system. The issue is abnormal battery drain and corrosion buildup on the battery terminals. The failure results in the vehicle being unable to start without warning. The battery and affected components are available for inspection upon request. This issue creates a safety risk because…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 6 altima, this one, has by far been the worst!I took it to dealership for recalls & recvd a new battery, I told them the brakes don't stop the vehicle, they turned front roters, I took it back for severe squeaky squ dealership did not hear a thing! I have since been in a rear end collision unable to stop the vehicle and a driver left…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 19,000 miles

Both the drive side and passenger side front brakes on my 2017 nissan altima sr squeak only when going in reverse. The noise is very pronounced when the car is driven out of the garage in the morning in reverse. It also happens when the car has been parked anywhere else for a while. The bottom line is when the brakes are cold they always…Owner complaint, filed 2020

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front headlights were dim. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an Extended Warranty Program for the failure; however, the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 87,850 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The rear O2 sensor failed on my 2017 Nissan Altimas with only 29,900 miles on it and it cost me almost $400.00 to replace it.This is a part that should easily last for 150,000 miles. The failure of this part affects public safety by causing abnormally high emissions if not replaced. This failed component is identical to the recall issued…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Car will stop accelerating out of nowhere, when at a stop light you press the gas and it just want go also car will spike the rpms but the car doesn't accelerate while drivingOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 98,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2022

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…Owner complaint, filed 2021

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The rear lower arm control snapped while driving on even surface road. I’m a female and when I heard the pop I got out and inspected the car. Could have caused injury to myself or other motorists. Confirmed with two mechanics that this in fact was the rear arm control and that they have had these issues with a lot of Nissan Altima and…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Failed component: drivers front coil spring broke. Yes available for inspection upon request. Does not appear to have signs of exterior corrosion. Could effect drivability of vehicle. I think Nissan issued a technical service bulletin for 2022 Altima but not for 2017 Altima. Part has not been inspected by manufacture, police, or any…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

2017 Nissan Altima purchased used from large used dealer chain location in Albuquerque, NM on 11/24/25. At delivery, salesman demonstrated driver seat moved up/down and stated it just needed a bolt/belt. Co-signer who was present witnessed. Component failed: Driver seat front mounting bolt missing, seat not secured to floor, moves…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while the driver’s side seat belt was in use, the seat belt warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 100,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Multiple times the car will brake while triggering the forward collision warning, sending the car into a limp mode of 40mph. This occurs at a stop sign/light, or while passing a car. I had the part replaced and the problem continues.Owner complaint, filed 2023

One month Insurance policy lapse and license plate surrender license suspension when I was in hospital emergency room bed time .Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

235/45r18 there is a malfunction on this car the tire pressure keeps going out and blowing my tire also the car was giving to me with ran down tires which I was told was dangerous the company imperial auto mall switched the tires and said they was good but the car blew completely out while driving with my kids I alerted the company they…Owner complaint, filed 2023

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…Owner complaint, filed 2021