2020 Nissan MAXIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
16,648 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 21 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 23.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Structure:Body: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Electrical System: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 15 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 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 6; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11296820 · 2020-01-03 (January 3, 2020)
NISSAN IN THE 2020 MAXIMA MODELS REMOVED THE LOCKING FEATURE OF THE GAS CAP DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR POSSIBLE VANDALISM TO THE VEHICLE A PERSONAL SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IS A KEYED LOCKING CAP IS INSTALLED THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TO FUMBLE THROUGH UNLOCKING THE CAP IN ORDER TO FILL THE TANK. NEITHER THE SALES PERSON OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL KNEW THIS FEATURE HAD BEEN REMOVED IN THE 2020 MODEL. IT'S AVAILABLE IN THE 2019 MAXIMA MODELS. THE REMOVAL OF THIS FEATURE, EVEN THOUGH ITS STANDARD ON MOST VEHICLES SOLD IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11296820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11302001 · 2020-02-04 (February 4, 2020)
2020 NISSAN MAXIMA SR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS GAS CAP DOOR LOCK FUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WOULD NEED A SYSTEM UPGRADE DO TO POOR VISIBILITY. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11302001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11351414 · 2020-08-26 (August 26, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN FLASHING RED AND THE VEHICLE FORCEFULLY BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEARBY AND A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH SHORE NISSAN LOCATED AT 200 SUNRISE HWY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, [phone removed]) AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INF…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11383454 · 2020-12-14 (December 14, 2020)
WINDSHIELD CRACKS RANDOMLY WITH NO POINT OF IMPACT. FRAYS OUTWARD. SEEMS TO BE STRESS FRACTURE FROM THE FRAME. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH 2020 NISSANS
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421900 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, the vehicle lost motive power, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System, Slip indicator, and Rear Automatic Braking warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would not authorize the dealer to perform the repair and could not replace or…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,296 miles reported. Look up ODI 11421900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426312 · 2021-07-24 (July 24, 2021)
My emergency brake comes on any time I drive after a heavy rain.. it starts to illuminate vaguely,then eventually the brake light will come on and then eventually it’ll start indicating to pull over. The first time I was in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. Was able to push down on the brake and release long enough to come off an exit before it came back on. Had to let the car sit for over 20 minutes. The second time we had heavy rain I got in the car the following day after 15 mins of driving the brake light started to illuminate and I coul…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427755 · 2021-08-04 (August 4, 2021)
While driving 2020 Nissan Maxima Sv the emergency park brake light up and rear brake light up and traction control light up on dash and it act like it looses power and when you go to settings on sonar it big green light in front of car And check engine light came on
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434284 · 2021-09-24 (September 24, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the collision sensor system on the vehicle was malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to brake on its own while reversing in parallel parking. The contact stated the vehicle would always make buzzing sounds while parking. The contact stated while he was reversing out of a parking space on a hill, the vehicle inadvertently stopped, causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11434284 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 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 ↗