RoadVitals

2017 Nissan Altima Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Jul 20, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 390 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Jul 20, 2026

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 report and discovered the mileage discrepancy. At the time the contact purchased the vehicle on the Facebook Marketplace, the seller listed the mileage at 108,757. It was later discovered that in June 2022, the mileage was listed as 156,000.

NHTSA ID
11751604
Incident
Jul 20, 2026
Mileage
156,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2026

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 the vehicle can become inoperable without warning, leaving me stranded. This could occur in unsafe or vulnerable situations, such as being stuck in traffic, in an isolated area, or during extreme weather conditions. The unpredictability of the failure increases the risk, as there is no reliable warning before the vehicle will not start. I've been stranded multiple times. Yes. An independent mechanic can confirm the issue. There were little to no warning indicators prior to failure. The issue primarily presents as unexpected battery drain and corrosion, followed by the vehicle failing to start. Any symptoms that did occur were inconsistent and did not provide sufficient warning of the impending failure.

NHTSA ID
11735794
Incident
Apr 28, 2026
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2025

When driving down the street car shuts off lights flicker on and off continuously sometimes it don’t turn back on sometimes it does but I usually just coast until it turns back on very dangerous if on freeway or heavy traffic also the brake light and and trac lights go on when this happens. When stepping on gas the rpm’s go up really high like the transmission is going out

NHTSA ID
11669034
Incident
Jun 24, 2025
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2025

All 4 door lock actuators Airbag System Malfunctioning CVT Slipping at 83,000 miles Broken Motor Mount

NHTSA ID
11644522
Incident
Dec 12, 2024
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2025
Fire reported

I came out in the morning and the whole inside of my car had smoke damage, There seems to be what looked like a wire issue that has caused a fire in the center council of my nissan . Thank god by the grade of god the fire went out by its self . I do not want this to happen to anyone else

NHTSA ID
11641961
Incident
Feb 4, 2025
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 27, 2023

April-May, Key fob not being recognized so changed the battery in key fob 4 times. May, Driving at 55MPH on I495 beltway, pushed on gas and did not get gas. Immediately put on flasher and drifted to right curb. Dashboard was still lit. Turned the car off. Within minutes restarted the car and went where I was going. I had AutoZone run a diagnostic and they said the car was fine. Drove another couple of weeks before it happened again. This time the car would not restart and I was stopped in a very dangerous location so I had AAA tow it to my residence. The next day the car started. I drove another two weeks before reoccurring. I was able to drive it home and it has been parked. There are never any warning, check engine light, etc. A Nissan mechanic told me the symptoms I told him sounds like an issue with the sensor mobilizer. I Google searched and found a recall for the Nissan Rogue but not the Nissan Altima. I did a VIN report and it showed 0 recalls. I definitely have a serious safety issue. Without warning the car gets no response from the gas pedal.

NHTSA ID
11529257
Incident
May 25, 2023
Electrical
Filed May 23, 2023
Fire reported

I was at work, the car was parked and off for more than 4 hours, came out and my car was on fire. Passenger driver side, at that point me and coworkers were rushing buckets of water and dumping them on my car. The fire department investigated and it was the cooling fan wiring that caused the fire.

NHTSA ID
11523369
Incident
May 18, 2023
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 5, 2023

My car is periodically not accelerating at a stop when I push on the gas pedal.

NHTSA ID
11520586
Incident
May 4, 2023
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 4, 2022

The BACKUP CAMERA LENSE has become blurry and makes it harder to recognize objects. My vehicle has only 38K + miles on it. I own a 2017 1/2 Nissan Altima SV.

NHTSA ID
11446235
Incident
Jan 3, 2022
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 2, 2021

The car delays to accelerate from a stopped position. While sitting at traffic lights you can press the gas all the way to the floor and the car will not accelerate for a few seconds and then slingshot you forward. After this happens the car will not change gears and revs to 5000 RPMs while in the middle of traffic. If you can safely pull off to the side of the road and turn the car off for a few seconds and restart it, the car resumes to function normally. This is extremely dangerous, especially when making left hand turns with children in the car. In my research, this a known problem to Nissan and there has been no recall.

NHTSA ID
11439119
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 4, 2021

Transmission problems Brake system is horrible, constantly have to replace brakes and rotors Powertrain and other problems I've made several complaints to Nissan, I have put so much money in this car! Compressor went out almost 7 months after I purchased this car. I would give Nissan a 0 rating on the 2017 Nissan Altima

NHTSA ID
11427762
Incident
Nov 24, 2018
Electrical
Filed Jun 28, 2021

Speakers randomly stop working during a drive. No longer will come. Back on. As well as the door button to unlock the vehicle on the door handle on the driver side doesn't work at all and constant stereo issues. Stereo doesn't always provide connected devices current song playing.

NHTSA ID
11422629
Incident
Jun 28, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 22, 2021
1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, DOES NOT MAINTAIN A SOLID SPEED, INCREASES AND DECREASES SPEED ON IT OWN, WHEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH NOT GO WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, IT WILL TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN ACCELERATE AT A REALLY HIGH SPEED OR FORCE. THE WINDOWS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, THE STEERING COLUMN TIGHTENS AND THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. IT WILL DISPLAY THAT THE KEY IS MISSING AND TURN OFF. IT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS DURING IDLE AND IN MOTION, ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY.

NHTSA ID
11389384
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 2020

DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WONT LOCK AS WELL AS WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY.

NHTSA ID
11341084
Incident
Jun 30, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 14, 2020

MY CAR GET CRAZY ELECTRICAL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION SLEEP ALONE 5 MINUTES LATER CAR TURN ON BY SELF LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN STAR HAPPENED I TRY TO STOP THE CAR BRAKE DON'T WORK CAR STILL RUNNING ONLY THINK ITS WORK EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324532
Incident
Feb 13, 2020
Mileage
75 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2020

PUSH BUTTON START FAILS IN DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ID
11319097
Incident
Mar 22, 2020
Mileage
44,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 5, 2020

WHEN VEHICLES PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP OUT OF TIGHT AREAS AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS FOR

NHTSA ID
11307293
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 22, 2019

I HAVE LESS THAT 8000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I'M A DISABLED VETERAN WITH A SERVICE RELATED DISABILITY. I'VE HAD THE CAR MAYBE TWO YEARS. I WAS ON THE I-12 AND THE CAR BEGIN TO DECELERATE OFF AND ON AND THEN STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OFF RAMP. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED. CAR STILL ISNT PAID OFF. I'VE READ OTHER YEAR MODLES WITH SAME ISSUES AND NO FIXES EITHER HELP OR SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHAT OR MY RIGHTS AND CURRENTLY AWAITING FOR DEALER TO LOOK AT CAR.

NHTSA ID
11221868
Incident
Jun 21, 2019
Mileage
7,201 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 26, 2018

SINCE THE START OF 2018 I HAVE HAD MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE. EVERY TIME THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURE THEY ALSO SAID THE SAME THING THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY THAT I STATED. THIS IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ID
11163464
Incident
Dec 2, 2018
Mileage
29,127 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 26, 2018

THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW CLOSES VERY SLOWLY ALL THE TIME

NHTSA ID
11163425
Incident
May 30, 2017
Mileage
20 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 18, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED INDEPENDENTLY OFF A CLIFF AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WRIST, BACK, HEAD, AND LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER (BULLOCK TOYOTA, (662) 773-6281, 269 N COURT AVE, LOUISVILLE, MS 39339). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
11130271
Incident
Aug 10, 2018
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2018

MY CAR WON'T TURN ON. IT KEEP SAYING KEY ID INCORRECT WHEN I PUSH THE REMOTE START BUTTON. I ALREADY REPLACED MY KEYLESS ENTRY KEY FOB BATTERY AND STILL NO POWER IN MY CAR NOT EVEN TO OPEN THE CAR. I HAVE TO USE THE MANUAL KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR TO MY CAR. I TRIED JUMP STARTING MY CAR MAYBE CAR BATTERY DEAD I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE STILL UNABLE TO TURN MY CAR ON. I WILL HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR 10 MONTHS AND IT WAS WITH 4 MILES SO PRETTY MUCH A BRAND NEW CAR.

NHTSA ID
11120008
Incident
Aug 14, 2018
Mileage
16,700 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 6, 2018

FIRST DAY OF MAJOR HEAT WAVE. FIRE ON SIDE OF TRAVELED ROAD AS TRAFFIC STARTS TO MOVE THE 2017 ALTIMA 3.5 ENGINE CAR WITH ANOUT 9500 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING LOOSES POWER AND GAS PEDDLE HAS NO RESPONSE. CAR FELT HEAVY ROLLS BACKWARDS TOWARDS EDGE AS IT SEEMED IT HAD SHUT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. TRY TO RESTART AND WON'T START UNTIL 4TH TRY. STILL HEAVY WITH LOSS OF POWER. MANAGED TO DRIVE PASS THE DANGER AREA NOT KNOWING WHY A NEW VEICHLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT NOTICE. DOING SOME RESEARCH NOW AND GETTING SCARED.IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO OTHER NISSAN VEICHLE PROBLEMS.WORRIED THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID
11109956
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
5 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 6, 2018

HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. 1ST THE WINDOWS WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN, AND NOW ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WORK ( POWER LOCKS, REAR VIEW CAMERA, TURNING SIGNALS, DOORS DONT LOCK WITH REMOTE, AND CAR DOESNT SHIFT OUT OF PARK UNLESS I USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON). VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IT HAPPENED ON JULY 6 2018

NHTSA ID
11109943
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
51,144 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRONIC ONBOARD DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF THE FUEL MILEAGE PER GALLON. THE DISPLAY WAS TEN PERCENT MORE THAN WHAT THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND WAS CONSISTENTLY HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MODERN NISSAN OF WINSTON SALEM (5795 UNIVERSITY PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27105, (336) 767-8260) WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT OUT TO TEST AND DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE READING WAS INACCURATE. THE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY AND NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID
11078982
Incident
Aug 15, 2017
Mileage
3,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

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