This page covers 3 recalls, 380 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Nissan Altima.
26–31 mpg combined
7.6–9 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2017 Altima centers on the powertrain, with transmission issues drawing the most reports by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe the CVT shuddering, juddering, or hesitating, particularly during acceleration or when merging into traffic. Some report the vehicle bogging down and losing power, requiring the engine to be restarted before normal operation resumes. The second most-reported area involves airbags, where owners describe concerns about the passenger seat occupant sensor failing to detect a passenger correctly, raising doubts about whether the airbag would deploy in a crash. A smaller but notable cluster of complaints involves vehicle speed control, where owners describe unexpected behavior during acceleration or cruising. Back on the powertrain side, battery drain and terminal corrosion also show up across multiple reports, with owners noting the car failing to start without any prior warning.
380
Total Complaints
24
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
18
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Nissan Altima has 3 recalls, the most serious being a rear door defect where lowering a rear window can cause the door to unlatch and swing open while the vehicle is moving, putting rear passengers at risk of falling out or being struck by passing traffic.
One of the rear door recalls affects vehicles that were previously repaired under an earlier campaign, as that prior repair may not have routed the door latch cable correctly, leaving the same dangerous condition in place. Both rear door issues trace back to an improperly routed latch cable, and together they cover a range of 2015-2017 model years. The third recall involves the hood's secondary latch, which can corrode over time if the primary latch is accidentally released. When corrosion causes the secondary latch to bind in the open position, closing the hood may give no indication that it is not fully secured, and the hood can lift unexpectedly at highway speeds, blocking the driver's view of the road entirely.
At a glance
What can fail
The primary hood latch can accidentally release. When this happens, the secondary hood latch may corrode over time, potentially allowing the hood to open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, add a warning label near the secondary latch, and provide maintenance instructions to help prevent corrosion.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The door latch-lock cable in the rear door may be routed incorrectly, allowing it to interfere with the window regulator. This can cause the rear passenger door to unlatch and open unexpectedly when the window is lowered.
What the fix does
Dealers will reposition and secure the latch-lock cables in the correct location using an updated procedure at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear door latch/lock cable may be routed incorrectly. Lowering a rear window can unintentionally unlatch and open that door.
What the fix does
Dealers will reposition the rear door latch/lock cable to the correct routing at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
