2017 Nissan Altima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 4%of 393 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,525miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 393 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,525 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving on rough terrain going at approximately 30 to 35 MPH, my steering wheel locks up for about 3 seconds and then releases. When this issue happens I am unable to control my vehicle. The first 3 times this problem happened I was driving on the highway. This issue has happened at least 4 time since I've purchased my vehicle on 12/31/2019.”
NHTSA complaint #11310331, filed 2020-02, 65,900 miles“I have taken my car in serval times to hopfully get this problem fixed but they can't figure out what it is! My steering wheel locks up when I'm on the road or turning and I can't turn my wheel when it locks on me. I have blown a tire because of this issue it pushed me off the road and I couldn't correct it until the steering wheel loosened up. I have 3 kids and I don't feel safe in my own car nissian can't figure out what is wrong with it but it does it in town randomly and even on the interstate and I can't do anything until it unlocks. …”
NHTSA complaint #11343784, filed 2020-08, 20,000 miles“Problem with my 2017 Altima sl. Knocking noise in steering at low speed noise coming from steering. Went back to my Nissan dealer and they inspected and found that noise is normall. They told me that if the noise gets load or a leak to bring it back. I told them that I feel that its not safe to drive knowing that there is a problem but Nissan warranty doesn't want to cover it and it's the old running around until it breaks and perhaps it's on safe for my family to ride in this car knowing that this is a problem that's why I'm writing for this complaint thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #11190956, filed 2019-03, 40,989 miles“My son was practicing driving. He was turning and the car would not turn. Ps warning light came on and stayed on. Once I was in the driver seat, I had a hard time turning the steering wheel. The 2017 Nissan Altima sr only have around 8k miles. I put on flashers to get to nearest auto store. Autozone check the fluids, it was some in there but it could be topped off they said. I didn't purchase fluid. I was told to turned the vehicle back on. The wheel was moving very loose now. I then slowly drive it to the dealership. The manual advise to have it inspected and diagnosed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11092141, filed 2018-05, 8,100 miles“Tuesday, nov 12th, approximately 7 pm, while in the middle of evening traffic on a busy thoroughfare, vehicle lost complete power and coasted to a stop on side of road. Prior to this, vehicle lost power temporary about 20 minutes prior on another very busy stretch of road but was able to restart. Throughout the day, the car would sputter while in motion. By the evening the sputtering became more intense and was more indicative of the vehicle trying to cut off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11280382, filed 2019-11, 67,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10138266Apr 19, 20182014-2018 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% |
| 2020 | 20 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 | 16 | 3% |
| 2015 | 48 | 5% |
| 2014 | 58 | 5% |
| 2013 | 94 | 4% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% |
| 2009 | 859 | 56% |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% |
| 2007 | 17 | 4% |
| 2006 | 15 | 2% |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 13 | 1% |
| 2002 | 15 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2017 Nissan Altima
133 complaintsAir bags
74 complaintsOther or unknown
62 complaintsVehicle speed control
41 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
14 complaintsSuspension
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology