VehicleVerdict

2020 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Nissan Altima carries two red flags at once: 278 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls). It is one of the Altima years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (44), electrical system (43), and engine (38), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

278

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

30

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

21

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Altima years?

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance4416%
Electrical System4315%
Engine3814%
Other3412%
Steering207%
Brakes176%
Transmission176%
Visibility & Wipers114%
Airbags93%
Tires & Wheels93%
Fuel System73%
Body & Structure73%
Speed Control62%
Latches & Locks52%
Suspension52%
Seat Belts31%
Seats21%
Lighting10%

Does the 2020 Nissan Altima have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V437000EngineJune 27, 2025 · 443,899 units

Defect

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. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

23V628000Driver AssistanceSeptember 8, 2023 · 153,376 units

Defect

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. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.

21V169000Tires & WheelsMarch 11, 2021 · 36,141 units

Defect

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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.

21V138000SteeringMarch 4, 2021 · 2,407 units

Defect

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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

20V685000Tires & WheelsNovember 5, 2020 · 2,214 units

Defect

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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8677669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC765.

20V570000Visibility & WipersSeptember 22, 2020 · 150 units

Defect

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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ22003

Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

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 this issue.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

During a Code scan on the vehicle, the Intelligent driver assistance system Showed to refer to OEM repair manual for code description repair. The next day the vehicle crashed at 15 mph due to loss of control. Tie rod broke causing vehicle to crash and tire was detached. Vehicle is available to…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 9, 2023 · crash

Driving car on the freeway and car lost power. Turned the car off and checked all the fluids to make sure they were at proper levels and found no issue. Started car back up and then started smoking, open the hood and an electric fire had started, tried putting out with a fire extinguisher and it…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 5, 2022 · fire

The CVT issue remains with this car even though I have complained. The car will randomly de accelerate and randomly accelerate which has cause minor fender bender. The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2024 · crash

The CVT issue remains with this car even though I have complained. The car will randomly de accelerate and randomly accelerate which has cause minor fender bender. The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 1, 2024 · crash

When making a routine right-hand turn, the steering system failed. Driver had an unresponsive vehicle which crashed into a bridge rail. Driver was taken for medical attention. No warning lights prior to the crash. Vehicle has only been serviced by the dealer Nissan Peacock of Houston since…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 10, 2023 · crash

2020 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 278 complaints put the 2020 model at #19 of 33 Altima years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (44 complaints), electrical system (43 complaints), engine (38 complaints).

Does the 2020 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Nissan Altima under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Altima?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Nissan Altima earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.