DIAGNOSIS 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 this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Nissan Altima steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Nissan Altima have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Altima | 94 |
| 2014 Altima | 58 |
| 2015 Altima | 48 |
| 2016 Altima | 16 |
| 2017 Altima (this page) | 15 |
| 2018 Altima | 12 |
| 2019 Altima | 3 |
| 2020 Altima | 20 |
| 2021 Altima | 7 |
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What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIAGNOSIS 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 this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014-2018 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014-2017 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised and information on page 10 has been added. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Nissan Altima steering system is producing a cluster of failures that dealers struggle to diagnose or repair. The most dangerous complaint is sudden steering lockup during normal driving—multiple owners lost all steering control without warning lights, hit curbs, damaged axles, and were forced into emergency maneuvers. These lockups happen at highway speeds and on rough roads, then release just as suddenly.
Power steering pump whining is widespread, with one owner noting the defect spans 2011–2018 Altimas. Boulder Nissan replaced the pump, but the whining continued, indicating the replacement part carries the same defect. Another dealer (All Star Nissan) confirmed Nissan knows the vibrating power steering hose is common to this model year but offers no fix.
Steering also becomes abnormally stiff at low mileage (as early as 8,000 miles), accompanied by low fluid levels. Some owners report pressure sensations in the wheel and misalignment. Rear clunking under bumps correlates to recall P9324, yet dealers say it's normal.
Engine power loss without warning appears connected: vehicles suddenly lose power at highway speeds, sputter, shut down, and resist restart. No diagnostic codes appear before these events. The failures span new vehicles and used units within months of purchase.
Same Nissan Altima steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Whining
High-frequency whining noise from the power steering pump that persists even after dealer replacement. Noise increases when turning the wheel and decreases at idle. Owner reports this is a widespread defect across 2011–2018 Altimas.
When: 35,980 miles
Symptoms owners cite: High-frequency whining noise from pump; Noise increases when turning steering wheel; Noise present during engine operation and vehicle movement; Problem persists after pump replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Boulder Nissan replaced power steering pump; defect remained.
Steering Tie Rod / Arm Failure and Lockup
Steering components (armbar/tie rod) lock up or disconnect during normal turns, resulting in complete loss of steering control. Multiple owners report sudden, unexpected lockup with no warning lights, forcing emergency maneuvers. One owner's armbar disconnected from tire during a left turn.
When: Low mileage (8K, 9.5K miles); also reported on used vehicle at 67K+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up suddenly during turns; Complete loss of steering control; No warning lights before failure; Steering wheel cannot be turned or unlocked until component releases; Lockup occurs randomly while driving or on highway; Armbar/tie rod may disconnect from tire
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose or repair. One vehicle sent to insurance for possible total loss.
Power Steering Hose Vibration Noise
Tubing from power steering pump to steering column vibrates, producing a drilling or knocking sound. Dealer confirmed Nissan is aware this is common to 2017 Altimas but stated no remedy is available.
When: 17,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Drilling/knocking sound when engine is cranked; Noise persists for at least two months
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed vibrating tubing; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated manufacturer aware of failure; no remedy available.
Power Steering Fluid Loss and Hard Steering
Power steering fluid level drops below safe operating range, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. PS warning light illuminates. Occurs at very low mileage.
When: 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard steering (difficult to turn wheel); Power steering warning light illuminates; Low power steering fluid level
Repairs/costs cited: Fluid was low but not empty; AutoZone suggested topping off. Dealer inspection pending.
Power Loss and Engine Shutdown
Engine loses power suddenly during highway driving or in traffic with no warning. Vehicle either coasts to a stop or slows dramatically. Engine sputters before shutting down. Multiple restart attempts required. Occurs on newly purchased used vehicle and vehicles with low mileage.
When: 9,500 miles and 67,000 miles (used purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power; Vehicle coasts to stop or slows to 30 mph from 70 mph; Sputtering before shutdown; No warning lights; Multiple restart attempts needed; Gas pedal becomes unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives.
Steering Wheel Stiffness and Alignment Issues
Steering wheel becomes stiff or hard to turn and vehicle pulls or drifts out of alignment during normal driving. Driver reports feeling pressure from the wheel and notes steering wheel sits off-center.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff and hard to turn; Pressure sensation from steering wheel; Steering wheel not centered / misaligned; Car not running smoothly
Rear Clunking and Front-End Instability
Clunking noise from rear when driving over bumps or rough terrain. Front end feels unstable during highway curves. One owner notes this matches recall P9324 but dealer unable or unwilling to address.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise from rear over bumps and dips; Front-end instability at highway speeds and curves; Loose steering at highway speeds around curves
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer says clunk is normal; not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to recall P9324 per owner report.
Intermittent Steering Lock with Road Surface Sensitivity
Steering wheel locks temporarily (3 seconds) during rough terrain or bumpy roads at moderate speeds, then releases. Locking occurs randomly and unpredictably, leaving driver unable to control vehicle while locked.
When: Low mileage; reported since purchase on 12/31/2019 at least 4 times
Symptoms owners cite: Steering locks for 2–3 seconds on rough terrain; Locks at 30–35 mph on highway; Random, unpredictable locking; Complete loss of steering control during lock
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I was on my way to work on Saturday 12/18 and as I was making a left turn my steering wheel locked and I actually hit a curb hopped it and went back into traffic. My axel broke on left hand side and blew my tire. Thankfully my children weren't in the car and a police officer happen to see the whole thing. I couldn't get my steering wheel to turn or come unlocked. That was very dangerous, and I…
The power steering pump (2017 Nissan altima sr, 2.4l, 35,980 miles) began to produce whining noises (high frequency pitch sounds) both when the engine runs with moving and when the car moves. Particularly, when I turn the steering wheel while the engine is on, it produces higher noises. If I don't turn the power steering wheel while the engine is on, it produces lower whining sounds. Thus,…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 34,448 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.