Is the 2017 Nissan Altima a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
The 2017 Nissan Altima is a viable option if you're looking for a spacious and fuel-efficient sedan, but be cautious of potential transmission issues that could inflate ownership costs unexpectedly.
Pros
- Good fuel economy
- Comfortable ride
- Spacious interior
Cons
- CVT reliability concerns
- Underwhelming cabin materials
- Average handling
Ownership at a glance
Common problems to watch for
- Transmission issues
- Engine components – sensors & knocking
- Suspension noises
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (3)
The 2017 Nissan Altima has 3 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Latches/Locks/Linkages — Hood — Latch (campaign 20V315000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- 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 …
- 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 c…
- 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 m…
Real owner data from the CarsJudge fleet
1 2017 Nissan Altima owner tracks this exact car in CarsJudge. Their real maintenance spend over the last 12 months averaged $0/year — logged from actual service records, not estimates.
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.