Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I left for work, acceleration at slow speed around 30 mph within 40 seconds, the car began to gain speed, I let off the gas pedal, still accelerated. I tried slowly using brakes to slow down - no response. At this point, I notice that cruise control light, was lit up, on the dashboard but not set. I'm now gaining speed of 72 MPH. Not even 1 mile, from turn off. I literally fish tailed three times, then the car slowed down and I ended up sideways, in a ditch. Chipped hubcap and some plastic piece hanging, from underneath the car. I had a bystander, whom was headed towards me - stop in fear of what happened. Got the car out of ditch. I parked, checked for leaks, nothing. Since this incident, I'm in fear of this happening again. I'm assumption was the accelerator stuck. No brakes is dangerous, let alone feeling like my life was gonna end. I cried. Thinking Jesus my children were home. …
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was not functioning as intended. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure continued and became persistent. The contact stated that due to the failure, the contact was almost rear-ended by a semi-trailer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving on the highway, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and then independently decelerated. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The contact then stated that after he turned off and restarted the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the gear shifter failed to engage. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at low speeds and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle was slow to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The rpm increased to 4,000. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,700.
I own a 2017 Nissan Altima. This vehicle has been having similar issues that other owners have reported with the vehicle failing to accelerate after stopping or sitting ideal while running the and you go too take off, barely moves to a crawl even if the gas pedal is to the floor. It will also loose power (speed) without warning while driving. The vehicle will not register any warning lights when this occurs not even a check engine light comes on when this occurs. It does not register any issues in a diagnostic test to which one was completed by a Nissan dealer in Lebanon Pa. (Moyer Nissan). …
Twice in one day, one hour apart, the xar would not accelerate, then accelrated wildly. First time, pulling onto a road from a stop, it hardly sped up, I put the pedal to the floor, and it did not increase speed as expected, in fact hardly at all. I was trying to merge with oncoming traffic so this would have caused a wreck if there wasn't as much space between me and the oncoming traffic. I kept trying to accelerate, pushing the pedal, letting it out, pushing it again, and it continued to not accelerate as expected. I then pulled off the road to let traffic pass and see if it revved in park, and it sounded fine. After traffic cleared, I tried again, and thia ti.e it functioned normally. I drove about 50 miles, stopped somewhere, and ha no problems. When I left that place, trying to pull onto the road and merge with oncoming traffic, it happened again. …
My CVT transmission has been replaced three times by Nissan. I am currently on the third CVT transmission and it has failed requiring a fourth CVT transmission replacement. I was in a few different situations each time the trasmission failed that were unsafe. I've been at intersections, trying to accelerate forward when the stop light turns green causing me to stop in the middle of intersections or accelerate slowly through the intersection which is very dangerous. I've been on the highway going normal highway speeds over 60mph when I would lose power and try to keep my speed and my car would stay in the 15mph - 40mph, having to turn my hazard lights on so other drivers know I'm having issues accelerating. The first time I took my car to the dealership, they could not recreate the issue after having my vehicle for 30 days. …
When driving my Nissan I had stop at light/ stop sign.My car notify me with a check engine light. It wouldn't accelerate in a matter of seconds I was able to continue driving. I notice it happens every time I have to stop at lights and or stop signs frequently. It first started at about 85,000 miles. I bought it at 65,000 miles I still owe for the car I took it to Nissan and they told me that it no longer had a warranty for the transmission. It has alittle over 100,000 just think that if there's alot of consumers complaining about the same issue it needs to be investigated and stop selling it until the issue is corrected.. In my opinion..
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.
The first code it threw was for the master air flow sensor then it started bogging out not going over 1RPM -throwing the code "P17F0 CVT Judder" and has left me in some really,really bad situations in traffic, and when it boggs down like that (no matter how many times I turn it off and restart it, even if the battery drains all the way out and I have to get a jump) I have to wait two hours after unhooking the battery and sit for an hour if not more before I can start it up and actually get down the rd. And it runs great like nothing was wrong it. But doesn't get far before doing it again
Acceleration complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2017 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2017 Nissan Altima, 10% of the model year's 392 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Nissan Altima acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2017 Nissan Altima, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Nissan Altima acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.