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2017 Nissan Altima

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Nissan Altima
Pictured: 2024 Nissan Altima SR, front left, 05-05-2025. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
2.5 4dr Sedan, 3.5 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmission
CVT
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 27 city / 39 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,203–3,470 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2017 midsize car (26.9 MPG).
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints393 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 86 for similar models — most often about the power train.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Nissan Altima is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,203 lb (2.5 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (27 city / 39 highway), 15% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 393 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2017

  • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Altima →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.5L 4-cyl
Engine–3.5L
Engine–3.5L 6-cyl
TransmissionCVT
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Safety & driver-assist features

Backup cameraStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee · Canton, Mississippi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2017 Altima configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2.5 4dr Sedan191.7 in72 in57.9 in109.4 in62.6 / 62.2 in3,203 lb60/40
3.5 4dr Sedan191.7 in72 in58.3 in109.4 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,470 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Altima2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 39 / 31+15%$2,150287
Altima SR2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+12%$2,250297
Altima3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26-3%$2,600347
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.9 MPG2017 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2017 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.3%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2017 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2017 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2017 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2017 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2017 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Nissan Altima (this car)31 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Toyota Corolla34 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Ford Mustang24 MPG★★★★★6
2017 Honda Accord48 MPGNot rated3
2017 Chevrolet Impala25 MPG★★★★★0
2017 Toyota Camry40 MPG★★★★★3
2017 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (3)

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · May 28, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V315000 · 1,831,818 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Structure › Emergency › Escape/Egress/Exit · Dec 19, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V915000 · 341,003 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jan 18, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V040000 · 341,005 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Nissan Altima is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

393Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
24Involved a crash
7Involved a fire
23Injuries reported
55,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train132
Air Bags72
Unknown Or Other62
Engine39
Vehicle Speed Control39
Electrical System25
Service Brakes19
Fuel/Propulsion System17
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/08: 624/09: 424/10: 924/11: 125/01: 225/02: 425/03: 225/04: 425/05: 525/06: 425/07: 825/08: 225/09: 325/10: 125/11: 326/02: 326/03: 126/04: 226/05: 326/06: 126/07: 626/08: 326/09: 126/10: 224/0824/1125/0325/0625/0926/0226/0526/08max 9

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Nissan Altima buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 132 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Air Bags — 72 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Engine — 39 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Nissan Altima. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Altima years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Altima30192.9 inNot rated01
2025 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★27
2024 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★141
2023 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★030
2022 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★031
2021 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★270
2020 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★6161
2019 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★7234
2018 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★2226
2016 Altima31191.7 inNot rated4555
2015 Altima31191.7 inNot rated10952
2014 Altima31191.7 inNot rated81,025

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →