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2019 vs. 2020 Nissan Altima: What Changed

EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types for the 2019 and the 2020 Nissan Altima. Check the individual trims for equipment and production changes these records do not cover.

Three campaigns cover both years. Four campaigns (back over prevention, exterior lighting and fuel system) cover the 2019 and not the 2020, while three campaigns (steering, tires and visibility) cover the 2020 and not the 2019.

Fewer campaigns do not establish better reliability. Confirm each car's coverage and repair status by VIN.

The campaigns that separate them

Imported NHTSA recall campaigns that name one of these two model years but not the other, with their component labels. Campaigns covering both years are left out of this list.

Only the 2019

  • 18V922000 fuel system
  • 19V235000 exterior lighting
  • 19V316000 fuel system
  • 19V654000 back over prevention

Only the 2020

  • 20V570000 visibility
  • 20V685000 tires
  • 21V138000 steering
A campaign may cover only part of a model year's production. Use the campaign number to ask an authorized dealer whether the car's VIN is included and what work remains. Our recall tool finds model-year campaigns; this guide explains the vehicle-specific check.

Side by side

2019 2020
Engines listed 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl
Drive types Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel types Regular Gasoline Regular Gasoline
Combined MPG 29–32 29–32
Recall campaigns 7 6
Complaints on file 231 179
Investigations 2 2
Complaint totals reflect different time on the road, sales and reporting. They cannot rank these years for reliability. The categories below identify symptoms to read about, not failure odds. How reporting time affects the comparison.

What owners reported, by system

2019

Other 74 (32%)
Electrical 56 (24%)
Engine 42 (18%)

2020

Other 49 (27%)
Electrical 40 (22%)
Engine 26 (15%)

Full reports

Open each year's report to read the recall, investigation, manufacturer communication and EPA variant records on file:

2019 Altima full report 2020 Altima full report Every Altima year compared

Sources and methodology