2017 Nissan Altima transmission and drivetrain problems
133 of the 391 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Altima name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 52 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 133 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 5 · 2019: 16 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 2
Half of the 64 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 50,000 and 88,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
391 complaints in all about the 2017 Nissan Altima, 2 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Nissan Altima transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
While driving on the highway vehicle suddenly began experiencing problems with acceleration and began a slow shuddering or shaking. 15 minutes later the engine malfunction indicator light came and lucky for me I was already home. However began experiencing problems keeping the vehicle in gear and the vehicle hesitated to reverse.
2017 Nissan Altima CVT transmission stalls and jerk when driving at 60-65 miles per hour highway and at a red light have to push start to continue driving which can cause injuries or death
CVT - continuous variable transmission failure and needs replacement with 2017 Nissan Altima sl and 37k miles on the vehicle. All highway miles and car is exactly 2 years young. Car would not go forward or in reverse
Takaka recall I have a 2017 Nissan Altima that stops in midle of the hway. When I drive around 60 miles per hour with my 2 kids inside. I have to stop in the side with heavi traffic and wait until help arrive.
Transmission failed on interstate at approximately 70mph. I was told by the Nissan dealership garage manager that they really don't know why they fail except that they think the transmission overheats due to undersized pump and mesh not allowing enough circulation.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications52 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- NTB12-103I Service bulletinJun 7, 2024
- CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P17F0 P17F1 P0776 P0841 P2813 P1715 B130C B2EF0
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2017 Nissan Altima names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Nissan Altima
Source: the same files- airbag problems 73 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2017 Nissan Altima?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 133 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (34% of everything owners filed about it), and 52 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2017 Nissan Altima?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 3 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2017 Nissan Altima?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 68,000 miles; half of them between 50,000 and 88,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.