2020 Nissan ALTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
158 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
13,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 158 complaints (23.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 7.0% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Engine | 33 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 17 |
| Power Train | 16 |
| Steering | 13 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 10 |
Electrical System: 37; Unknown Or Other: 35; Engine: 33; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 19; Service Brakes: 17; Power Train: 16; Steering: 13; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 130 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2020: 21; 2021: 17; 2022: 13; 2023: 23; 2024: 26; 2025: 37; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11300306 · 2020-01-19 (January 19, 2020)
I JUST PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE THROUGH NISSAN TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 2000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I HAD THE CAR MY CAR MAKES LIKE A CLICKING POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL WHILE HITTING BUMPS. SO I LOOKED AT REVIEWS AND PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT WITH THE 2019 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THERE HAPPENING WITH THE 2020 TOO... I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL LIKE THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALL BECAUSE I CAN SEE THAT ONLY NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SITUATION.... IT FEELS LIKE MY WHEEL IS GOING TO FALL OFF IT'S THAT LOU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11300306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307037 · 2020-02-04 (February 4, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC BRAKING ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH NO OBJECTS WERE PRESENT BEHIND THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE SWITCHING TO THE REVERSE THE MESSAGE INDICATING AN OBJECT WAS BEHIND THE VEHICLE WAS DISPLAYED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND VIBRATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM ALSO EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (METRO NISSAN OF MONTCLAIR (9440 AOTPEX…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11312084 · 2020-02-28 (February 28, 2020)
I TOOK POSSESSION OF MY CAR ON 1/21/2020. THE FIRST TIME I USED THE NAVIGATION, ON 2/3/2020 I MISSED A DENTIST'S APPOINTMENT I WAS GOING TO FOR THE FIRST TIME.I ENTERED THE TOWN THEN THE BUILDING NUMBER AND STREET NAME. THE DIRECTIONS SENT ME IN A COMPLETELY OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. ON 2/25/2020 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN AN ALERT APPEARED ON THE BOARD. IT DID NOT CLARIFY THE PROBLEM, IT ADVISED TO REFER TO THE MANUAL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST NISSAN DEALERSHIP, MARTIN NISSAN. THE SERVICE MANAGER, GUY DE LEO, ENTERED HIS OWN ADDRESS, …
Owner-reported narrative. 295 miles reported. Look up ODI 11312084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11319371 · 2020-03-26 (March 26, 2020)
BLIND SIDE WARNING NOT WORKING - RADAR NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO SIDE OBSTRUCTION. SEVERAL TIMES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS MALFUNCTION - NISSAN CLAIMS CAR MUST BE SPOTLESS OR IT WON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH ISSUES WITH OTHER MAKES. THE EBS WARNING LIGHTS COME ON MOST OF THE TIME WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. I THOUGHT THIS CAR PROVIDED SAFETY, INSTEAD IT DOES THE OPPOSITE. NISSAN CLAIMS WHEN THERE'S SNOW ON THE GROUND SAFETY FEATURES WON'T WORK. WHY HAVE THEM THEN? MAKE A POINT OF THIS BEFORE I PURCHASE. I WASHED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11322402 · 2020-04-27 (April 27, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONTACT STATED SHORTLY AFTER THEY PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THE HOOD OF THEIR VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALIGN PROPERLY. CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SPECIALIST WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH A BUMP STOP NOD. HOWEVER, VEHICLE'S HOOD BECAME LOOSE AND BEGAN TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE. CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE' S REMOTE START BUTTON BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, OR WHENEVER, THEY ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,619 miles reported. Look up ODI 11322402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324886 · 2020-05-17 (May 17, 2020)
THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER WILL "TWITCH" AT VARIED SPEEDS LIKE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL "PULSE" GOING THROUGH THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE. I HAD THE CAR IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BUTLER NISSAN IN MACON, GEORGIA; THE SERVICE WRITE ADVISED ME THAT THE MECHANIC DID SEE THE ISSUE AS I DESCRIBED, AND STATED THAT THE SERVICE MECHANIC TOOK A BRAND NEW ALTIMA OUT TO SEE IF HE COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THE BRAND NEW ALTIMA DID THE SAME EXACT THING. THIS OCCURS BOTH DRIVING FREELY AND BY USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT A SET SPEED.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327419 · 2020-06-05 (June 5, 2020)
AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYS ON AND JUST RECENTLY THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT THE DOOR WAS STILL CLOSE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11327419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11331320 · 2020-06-28 (June 28, 2020)
MY FATHER IS CURRENTLY DRIVING ONE FROM ENTERPRISE WE DON'T KNOW IF THE GLASS HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK PREVIOUSLY EXISTING OR IF THE CAR WINDOW GOT VANDALIZED BUT THE WHOLE WINDOW IS GONE AND THE ALARM SYSTEM DIDN'T EVEN GO OFF ETHER. I THINK THE HEAT HIT IT AND MADE THE WINDOW EXPLODE GLASS FROM THE WINDOW WENT EVERYWHERE THE CAR ONLY HAD 27,866 WHENEVER WE GOT IT FROM THE RENTAL CAR PLACE MONDAY I FEEL LIKE NISSAN NEEDS TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS INCIDENT MYSELF AND MY FATHER BOTH TOLD ENTERPRISE ON BLACKSTOCK RD WE FELT LIKE THE CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11331320 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V570000 · Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear
Reported: 2020-09-22 (September 22, 2020)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V685000 · Tires
Reported: 2020-11-05 (November 5, 2020)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V138000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Reported: 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V169000 · Tires:Sidewall | Tires
Reported: 2021-03-11 (March 11, 2021)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V628000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2023-09-08 (September 8, 2023)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V437000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗