NissanAltima2017Overview/nissan/altima/2017/base/

2017 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2017 Nissan Altima is a passenger car requiring 5.1 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil — a spec worth noting for owners handling their own maintenance. With 384 total owner complaints, 3 recalls, and a top complaint area in the power train, this model year sits well below the brand's peak trouble year of 2013, which logged 2,304 complaints, and trends closer to the quieter recent years in the Altima's 1993–2025 complaint history. That positions the 2017 as a relatively settled point in the model's reliability arc, though the power train complaints and recalls suggest it isn't without its watch areas.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165460Z000 alt 165463TA0J
Spark plug22401EW61C alt 224013TA1B
Front wiper blades288903TA0D alt 288903TA1B
Serpentine belt117206TA0A alt 117203TA0C
Thermostat21200EA000 alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter272773JC1C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3203 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2013 3.5 SV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20162.5 SV 2.5L I-47.80 sec16.00 sec182 hpFWD
20162.5 SV 2.5L I-48.20 sec16.50 sec182 hpFWD
20133.5 SV 3.5L V66.10 sec14.60 sec270 hpFWD
20132.5 SL 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SV 2.5L I-47.60 sec16.00 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SL 2.5L I-47.70 sec16.10 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SL 2.5L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec182 hpFWD
20132.5 SV 2.5L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec182 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidUse Nissan CVT fluid NS-3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.8
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Nissan CVT fluid NS-3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity8.3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)76.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub135.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM@IDLE rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 107; Rear: 62
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 9; Rear: 13
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .945; Rear: .354
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .0022
Maximum Drum Diameter6.810

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 inch lbs.17 in
252.0 inch lbs.52 in
396.0 inch lbs.96 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolts 7-1017 in
2Bolts 1-6104 in
3All bolts52 in
4Bolts 1-680–104 in
5Bolts 7-1074–91 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
314.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
390.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
114.0-15.0 ft. lbs.14–15 ft. lbs
290.0-95.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
131.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
2+ 60
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
132.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
2+ 84 degrees84 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 12.00 mm from thread end and point B = 55.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 0.23 mm Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
429 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
575 degrees75 degrees
675 degrees-75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 11.00 mm from thread end and point B = 48.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 0.11 mm Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

172.0 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
4103 degrees103 degrees
5103 degrees-103 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1060 degrees
319.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
126.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
290.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.02.5 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6.01.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this generation, federal complaints peaked dramatically in 2013 at 2,304 before entering a steady downward trajectory. The 2017 Altima sits solidly within this declining arc, dropping from 545 complaints in 2016 to 384 in 2017, and continuing down to 223 in 2018. For the target year, Power Train and Air Bags lead the complaint categories with 93 and 58 reports respectively, accompanied by 24 crash and 7 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. Its 3 recalls and 3 investigations mirror the 2016 figures and represent a stark improvement over the 8 to 12 recalls typical of the generation's 2013-2015 peak. Because the 2017 model falls on the improving side of the generation's reliability arc with significantly fewer federal issues than the early models, it is a reasonable used buy provided you verify that the three safety recalls have been properly addressed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
246
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
384
Owner complaints
24 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 384 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train93
Air Bags58
Unknown Or Other39
Engine17
Structure14
Latches/Locks/Linkages13
Exterior Lighting12
Electrical System9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V915000Structure:Emergency:Escape/Egress/ExitReported 19/12/2018

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… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019…

17V040000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 18/01/2017

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… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 246 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…
NTB12-103I2024-06-06Power TrainCVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT…
NTB17-127C2024-05-21Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE STOPS OR WILL NOT CONTINUE This bulletin has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Altima take?

5.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.