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2020 Nissan Altima: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data

Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team

Owner complaints
182
Filed with NHTSA
Open investigations
1
AQ22003
Combined MPG
29–32
EPA rating
Recall campaigns
6

Before you buy a 2020 Altima

  • Open investigation

    NHTSA has one open investigation covering this year: AQ22003 (audit query into the latches/locks/linkages since Dec 2022). An open investigation is a question NHTSA is asking, not a finding of a defect.

  • Recalls vs. other years

    6 recall campaigns put the 2020 Altima 2nd of the six model years we cover (2016–2021), well above the model's typical year (4).

  • Where complaints cluster

    Complaints are spread out; the most-reported components are electrical system (40, of which 6 a fire and 1 an injury), steering (20, of which 3 mention a crash and 2 an injury) and engine (18). Across all 182 reports, 16 describe a crash, 7 a fire, 10 at least one injury and 1 a death.

  • Recent reports

    32 complaints (18% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, so owners are still reporting problems, most often about the electrical system (11).

  • Changes from 2019

    EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types as 2019; seven recall campaigns name one of the two years and not the other (back over prevention, exterior lighting, fuel system and others).

  • Fuel economy and running cost

    Its most efficient version (2.5-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 32 mpg combined, close to the median for the 2020 sedans we cover (median 32 mpg across 40 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 29 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $2,010 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,220 in the thirstiest.

Body class
Sedan
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Complaint trends

182 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.

Other 50 (27%)
Electrical 41 (23%)
Engine 27 (15%)
Steering 20 (11%)
Drivetrain 16 (9%)
Brakes 12 (7%)
Visibility & lighting 9 (5%)
Airbag 7 (4%)

Top components as NHTSA logged them:

  • Electrical system — 19 complaints (10%)
  • Unknown or other — 18 complaints (10%)
  • Engine — 17 complaints (9%)
  • Power train — 8 complaints (4%)
  • Visibility/wiper — 6 complaints (3%)
  • Steering — 5 complaints (3%)

What owners told NHTSA

Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.

“I currently own a 2020 Nissan Altima with 49,186 miles and I am reporting a recurring power door lock failure. This vehicle was inspected at the Nissan of Cumming location this morning to confirm the issue.”

Electrical system · received Jul 2026

“The tire rod assembly disconnected and caused a near miss accident. The steering was no longer intact. The car had to be towed and repaired to the nearest auto repair shop.”

Steering · received May 2025

“When I am driving my car randomly states check engine and makes a beeping noise and then the engine starts to make some type of combustion noise and then slows down and then turns off.”

Engine · received Jul 2026

Recalls

6 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical · 25V437000 · 2025-06-27
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk …

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.

Consequence: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026.

Back over prevention: sensing system: camera · 23V628000 · 2023-09-08
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023.

Tires · 21V169000 · 2021-03-11
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either conditi…

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021.

Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly · 21V138000 · 2021-03-04
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

Consequence: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021.

Tires · 20V685000 · 2020-11-05
Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a cra…

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.

Consequence: Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020.

Visibility:glass, side/rear · 20V570000 · 2020-09-22
Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.

Consequence: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020.

Investigations

PE23023 (PE) Closed

Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical, engine and engine cooling, engine

Opened 2023-12-13 · Closed 2025-07-18

NHTSA summary

On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles. At that time, ODI had received 6 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and multiple early warning reports, with consumers reporting engine knocking noises accompanied by a loss of engine power while driving. The investigation identified bearing failures in certain vehicles equipped with the subject 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.…

AQ22003 (AQ) Open

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:LATCH

Opened 2022-12-16

NHTSA summary

NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates Hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs. Accordingly, we are opening this audit query to seek additional information concerning thi…

Manufacturer communications

Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.

Electrical system 54 documents (2019-12-13 – 2024-10-04)
DateTypeComponent
2024-10-04 service bulletin Electrical system, lane departure: warning, lane departure: assist
2024-05-21 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-05-21 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-05-21 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-05-15 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-05-11 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-05-11 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-04-13 service bulletin Electrical system, forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
2024-01-29 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-01-29 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:electrical:infotainment:software, equipment:electr…
2024-01-22 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-08-01 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:electrical:infotainment:software
2023-07-11 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:horn
2023-06-16 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-06-16 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-04-27 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-04-17 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-04-17 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-04-17 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-04-12 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:electrical:infotainment
2023-04-03 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-03-09 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-02-22 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-01-24 service bulletin Electrical system, service brakes, back over prevention
2023-01-24 service bulletin Electrical system, service brakes, back over prevention
2022-12-02 service bulletin Electrical system
2022-11-14 service bulletin Electrical system
2022-08-02 service bulletin Electrical system
2022-06-17 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:horn
2022-03-15 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:wiring:switches/knobs/buttons
2022-03-03 service bulletin Electrical system, communication:manufacturer telematics, engine and engine coo…
2022-02-22 service bulletin Electrical system, engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/…
2022-02-07 service bulletin Electrical system
2022-01-26 service bulletin Electrical system, forward collision avoidance
2021-12-07 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-08-06 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:appliance:air conditioner
2021-06-07 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-06-07 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-06-07 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-06-02 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-04-22 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2021-03-25 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-03-24 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-03-12 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-02-03 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2021-02-02 service bulletin Electrical system, lane departure: sensing system: camera
2021-01-28 service bulletin Electrical system
2021-01-28 service bulletin Electrical system, fuel system, gasoline
2021-01-27 service bulletin Electrical system
2020-11-11 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2020-08-04 service bulletin Electrical system, engine, equipment
2020-06-04 service bulletin Electrical system
2020-02-04 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, equipment, equi…
2019-12-13 service bulletin Electrical system
Power train 27 documents (2019-12-12 – 2024-06-07)
DateTypeComponent
2024-06-07 service bulletin Power train
2023-12-13 service bulletin Power train
2023-12-13 service bulletin Power train
2023-05-08 service bulletin Power train
2023-04-04 service bulletin Power train
2023-03-29 service bulletin Power train
2023-03-29 service bulletin Power train
2022-11-23 service bulletin Power train
2022-11-09 service bulletin Power train
2022-09-27 service bulletin Power train
2022-09-27 service bulletin Power train, wheels
2022-06-17 service bulletin Power train
2022-06-17 service bulletin Power train
2022-05-31 service bulletin Power train
2022-03-15 service bulletin Power train, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, power train:driveline…
2022-03-01 service bulletin Power train, power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:seals/gaskets
2022-02-16 service bulletin Power train
2021-12-07 service bulletin Power train
2021-11-30 service bulletin Power train
2021-10-25 service bulletin Power train
2021-09-16 service bulletin Power train
2021-06-09 service bulletin Power train
2021-05-27 service bulletin Power train
2021-02-26 service bulletin Power train, equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility
2020-03-25 service bulletin Power train
2020-03-13 service bulletin Power train
2019-12-12 service bulletin Power train
Engine and engine cooling 9 documents (2019-11-11 – 2022-11-04)
DateTypeComponent
2022-11-04 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-02-07 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, fuel system, other
2022-01-26 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, electrical system:ignition:module, electrical system
2022-01-24 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control modu…
2021-04-01 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-02-19 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, electri…
2021-01-14 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2019-12-20 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2019-11-11 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Equipment:electrical:infotainment 6 documents (2023-03-08 – 2024-02-22)
DateTypeComponent
2024-02-22 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system, equipment:electrical:info…
2023-08-16 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system, equipment:electrical:info…
2023-04-03 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system
2023-03-21 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system
2023-03-10 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system
2023-03-08 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment, electrical system
Equipment 5 documents (2019-11-07 – 2021-02-02)
DateTypeComponent
2021-02-02 service bulletin Equipment, electrical system
2020-10-30 service bulletin Equipment, engine and engine cooling
2020-09-14 service bulletin Equipment, engine and engine cooling
2020-07-07 service bulletin Equipment, electrical system:ADAS:blindspot:sensors
2019-11-07 service bulletin Equipment, electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, equipment adaptive/mobi…
Air bags 4 documents (2021-03-05 – 2024-09-19)
DateTypeComponent
2024-09-19 service bulletin Air bags
2023-03-09 service bulletin Air bags, seats
2022-04-26 service bulletin Air bags
2021-03-05 service bulletin Air bags
Visibility/wiper 3 documents (2024-04-30)
DateTypeComponent
2024-04-30 service bulletin Visibility/wiper
2024-04-30 service bulletin Visibility/wiper
2024-04-30 service bulletin Visibility/wiper
Structure 3 documents (2023-02-22 – 2023-11-09)
DateTypeComponent
2023-11-09 service bulletin Structure
2023-02-27 service bulletin Structure, visibility
2023-02-22 service bulletin Structure, visibility
Show all 27 categories
Back over prevention 3 documents (2022-05-19 – 2023-06-20)
DateTypeComponent
2023-06-20 service bulletin Back over prevention, electrical system
2022-08-17 service bulletin Back over prevention
2022-05-19 service bulletin Back over prevention
Forward collision avoidance 3 documents (2020-11-05 – 2023-03-09)
DateTypeComponent
2023-03-09 service bulletin Forward collision avoidance
2021-11-15 service bulletin Forward collision avoidance, electrical system
2020-11-05 service bulletin Forward collision avoidance, lane departure: sensing system: camera
Equipment adaptive/mobility 3 documents (2020-06-26 – 2020-11-24)
DateTypeComponent
2020-11-24 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment, engine and engine cooling
2020-07-29 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system
2020-06-26 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
Steering 2 documents (2023-02-22 – 2023-09-21)
DateTypeComponent
2023-09-21 service bulletin Steering
2023-02-22 service bulletin Steering
Service brakes 2 documents (2023-03-08 – 2023-04-24)
DateTypeComponent
2023-04-24 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic
2023-03-08 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel system 2 documents (2022-02-07 – 2022-04-05)
DateTypeComponent
2022-04-05 service bulletin Fuel system, gasoline, electrical system:instrument panel:fuel gauge:fuel level…
2022-02-07 service bulletin Fuel system, other, engine and engine cooling
Suspension 2 documents (2021-02-12 – 2021-12-07)
DateTypeComponent
2021-12-07 service bulletin Suspension
2021-02-12 service bulletin Suspension
Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software 1 document (2024-01-24)
DateTypeComponent
2024-01-24 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:infotainment:software, electrical system
Exterior lighting 1 document (2023-04-05)
DateTypeComponent
2023-04-05 service bulletin Exterior lighting
Visibility 1 document (2023-02-27)
DateTypeComponent
2023-02-27 service bulletin Visibility, structure
Wheels 1 document (2023-02-22)
DateTypeComponent
2023-02-22 service bulletin Wheels
Electrical system:body control module:software 1 document (2022-02-22)
DateTypeComponent
2022-02-22 service bulletin Electrical system:body control module:software, electrical system
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm):software 1 document (2021-12-06)
DateTypeComponent
2021-12-06 service bulletin Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy c…
Visibility:windshield 1 document (2021-02-03)
DateTypeComponent
2021-02-03 service bulletin Visibility:windshield, electrical system, forward collision avoidance
Vehicle speed control 1 document (2020-10-12)
DateTypeComponent
2020-10-12 service bulletin Vehicle speed control, lane departure
Lane departure 1 document (2020-09-16)
DateTypeComponent
2020-09-16 service bulletin Lane departure, electrical system
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. 1 document (2020-08-26)
DateTypeComponent
2020-08-26 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc., electrical system:wiring:switches…
Electrical system:wiring:switches/knobs/buttons 1 document (2020-08-21)
DateTypeComponent
2020-08-21 service bulletin Electrical system:wiring:switches/knobs/buttons, equipment:electrical:radio/tap…
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 1 document (2020-06-17)
DateTypeComponent
2020-06-17 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

140 communications on file, grouped into 27 categories.

Fuel economy

TrimEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombined
Altima 2.5L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-Wheel Drive 28 39 32
Altima SR/Platinum 2.5L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-Wheel Drive 27 37 31
Altima AWD 2.5L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) All-Wheel Drive 26 35 30
Altima AWD SR/Platinum 2.5L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) All-Wheel Drive 26 34 29
Altima SR/Platinum 2.0L 4cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-Wheel Drive 25 34 29

Fuel cost calculator

Safety ratings

ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRollover
2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD ★★★★★ 5/5 4/5 5/5 5/5
2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD ★★★★★ 5/5 4/5 5/5 5/5

Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides