2020 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 179 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 16 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 15 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalJun 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 25V437000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 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."
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 23V628000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V169000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkages, tie rod assemblyMar 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.
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V138000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V685000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearSep 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.
Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V570000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Jul 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the auto-braking system unexpectedly activated, and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brakes suddenly activated, and the instrument panel illuminated with a vertical yellow light. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and waited for a while before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. The failure reoccurred the following morning while driving 35 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over, turned off, and restarted to continue driving. The failure had occurred approximately 5 times. The contact stated that with the cruise control set to co-pilot, the steering and lane assist features failed to operate as intended, advising the contact to manually steer the vehicle. The failure became more persistent. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, May 12, 2026
The car stalls and began to jerk then shuts down the crash symbols comes on and goes off.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, May 6, 2026
I was leaving for work, backing out of the driveway, and the brakes just locked up out of no where. I’ve done this multiple times and the brakes have never done this. I tried pulling up and trying again, turning the car off and back on, and backing a different way out of the driveway. It kept locking up on me and nothing was in the way. My husband had to eventually take me to work. The automatic braking system failed. I’m not sure if it is available for inspection upon request. At the time, my safety or anyone else’s safety was not at risk. I just worry about if it happens while I’m driving on the road. That could defiantly not only put me at risk but also other drivers. No the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. It just happened this morning. The vehicle has not been inspected. No warning lamps. It did pop up the car with the 3 blocks in front of it on the screen like I’ve seen before, prior to failure, but not the warning about the automatic braking system.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 16, 2025
THE VEHICLE HAS ACTIVATED A FALSE AEB ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN AND THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE NO ISSUES. I'VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS AND IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR, NEARLY CAUSING A TRAFFIC COLLISION. TWICE THIS YEAR, THE VEHICLE MADE A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HWY AND TOOK A MINUTE BEFORE I COULD RESUME DRIVING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the message "Engine Malfunction" was displayed, and the check engine, traction control, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred days later. The vehicle was then taken to an independent machinic where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the battery was replaced three additional times by several independent mechanics; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 15, 2025, crash
This car is going to kill me! It randomly hits the brakes on the highways! I am literally driving a deadly weapon. I turn the emergency brakes off and had it checked and STILL brakes. It break everytime I pass a shade spot on the road and even highway going over 60 miles per hour! It hits the breaks while I am in traffic making the driver behind me almost hit my car. It breaks whenever I go under a tree. It breaks when I am in a parking garage when there are NO cars around. It breaks randomly in traffic with no cars too close by to create a collision. It breaks in front of a school bus that was driving close behind me. It hit the breaks going 30 miles per hour. If the school bus would have hit me then that would be child endangerment. The bus driver thought I would break checking him but it was hard to explain it was my emergency breaks. It’s been getting so bad that I am writing a complaint until something can be fixed or changed. It’s ruined my breaks in general from always setting off the emergency breaks. It is not even emergency breaking, it’s breaking to kill at given moment. It’s ruining my car and my ability to drive! This is not correct and it’s keeps going off even more. I am scared to even drive it. This has been happening since I got the car but for the past year since I turned off the sensor, it’s gotten SO much worse. It can turn deadly on my end or someone else’s. This was not properly designed for safety. It’s doing the exact opposite. This happens literally every week! So there is not way of giving you every single date nor do I have the time to wipe my phone out to take a video during those moments because it’s random.
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 30, 2025, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the collision avoidance system failed to activate, and the vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was driven to the home and later to the body shop. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer have not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 19, 2025
The forward collision warning sensor,the rear collision sensor and the traction lights turns on and off from time to time . The transmission seems like its been force to accelerate
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 27, 2024
Car phantom brakes. There are multiple cases of it online where people are complaining when the front emergency brake warning light comes up at times and the car brakes automatically in empty highways. This happens fairly often
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 17, 2024
My issue began 1 month after buying the vehicle. Regardless if I'm on the highway or back road no transition from one lane to another needs to be initiated , my whole dash will light up red and the car will come to a complete stop , at this time I just hold on and brace myself .Im a RN w/2 kids I went back to the dealer they said they checked it out but on my own I found out the car was in 2 accidents those things were not revealed to me during the buying process. I didn't know how to report this Im pretty ignorant to this type of thing however I did complain to gm by way of phone few times I called early on. No one at the dealership will help. Im literally in fear of me and my children's life. I test my luck because I don't know what else to do and can't afford another vehicle. Please help this complete dead stop sometimes turns the back end of my vehicle if im going over 70 when it stops, for this reason I drive like 40mph. I hope knowing this issue you can help there is no reason I know of for this incident which is now happening approximately once a week. Again this happen almost immediately after buying ,I went to the Mngr no one will help but this is very scary for me and two children will it take a nurse dying in an accident before someone does something , I dont now what else to do Again out of nowhere no matter the speed the dash turns red all lights come on and vehicle comes to ABRUPT STOP.Thank you and its at this point once a week,by the way I only guessed the parts involved d/t effects of incident I do notknow which or what from the car would have these issues from because I absolutely bought it like this
Service brakes, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 23, 2024
I noticed a month ago I was driving and both the rear and front emergency braking lights came on in my dashboard but the car never actually began to brake. Fast forward to today when I was backing in to park my car and the emergency brake engaged and I could not back in. Nothing was around me, I wipe off the sensor and it still would not let me back in. I had to turn off the emergency brake system just to back up my car.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 20, 2024
I was driving on the Freeway and without warning my car reduced speed. Then there was a warning bell that showed engine malfunction power reduced. Then the check engine light came and my rear and front warning indicator came on
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, May 8, 2024
This has been happening multiple times since December 25th, 2023. Presently, it's in the shop for the 6th time. This orange light comes on and then right after the vehicle just stops or slows down. Nothing is in front of or behind me. It's random...happens at night or anytime during the day and it stops itself while driving. It has been taken to the dealership 6 times since December and the problem has not been remedied. It is scary getting into the vehicle every time because I wonder, will it happen today? And what if someone is behind me? That could cause a major accident with injuries.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the forward collision avoidance system chimed and the vehicle started braking. The contact stated that there was no vehicle in front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance system system engaged after several school buses had driven past his vehicle in the opposite lane. The contact stated that he was able to disengage the forward collision avoidance system, and he continued driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 13, 2024
I can be driving and all of a sudden the collision symbol starts flashing,it has done it at least ten times
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 5, 2024
AEB system malfunction for front end. Will not allow cruise control to be used because of it.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 27, 2024
Front crash warning malfunction on my dash
Forward collision avoidance, Dec 1, 2023
The forward emergency braking system on my vehicle disables itself. I receive a message stating "front laser obstructed". There is no obstruction on vehicle. I relly on the emergency braking system to give me a heads up on possible forwars collision. Problem started around 50000 miles. It went away for a few months then came back
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 16, 2023
I've taken my car for repair service 4 times due to a malfunction warning and front driving aids off warning. They replaced speed sensor as well as cv axle as well as a hub and bearing and it still is not driving right and has almost caused me accidents with my children in the car to where I pulled over and cried I was scared to continue driving. They cannot figure out the problem.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 22, 2023
The forward collision warning light comes on saying their is a malfunction. It stays on for a couple of days, and then it goes away and comes back again a couple of days later. I had my sister husband hook up a diagnostic scanner on the car, and he said that it displayed no error codes for the problem. I believe this should be a safety recall because i noticed a lot of people driving the 2020 nissan altima have the same problem as me.
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 1, 2023
I just recently had my brakes done & the ABS light came on, along with the brake light, then the rear & front automatic emergency braking sensor lights came on as well. My independent repair shop did a diagnostic & said it was a Faulty ABS pump went out. They also told me to take to the dealership to get it looked at too.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 17, 2023
Car continually goes into malfunction mode. It goes away when the car is turned off and re started. It throws a code for mass air flow sensor. Have replaced mass air flow sensor three times. No dealership or mechanic can find an issue. Sometimes, the collision warning goes off for no reason causing panic. This has been going on for a year. Began March 2022.
Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 15, 2023, crash
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 inspect. No warning lamps or message other then scan results .
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 18, 2022
I have been noticing electrical issues with the vehicle that have been going unresolved. This is the third time I'm taking it to a dealership. On 15 Nov 2022 the vehicle gave a frontal collision warning with no other vehicles around it felt like the emergency braking system engaged because the brakes became solid as a rock. I had to put the car into park and restart the vehicle to begin driving again. Then on 16 Nov 2022 the car battery was dead around 4:48 pm and I had to get the taco shop's help, they gave me jumper cables and my wife's co-worker got the car started. Now, 18 Nov 2022 the vehicle is in another dealership waiting to see what they say and the car is staying the weekend to be evaluated.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 15, 2022
Crash Malfunction is randomly coming on while driving. It comes on even when there is NO vehicle in front of you. It comes on at random speeds from 2 to 40 MPH. I feel that if there was a warning, it may not come on. Problem has been going Vehicle is being inspected by Nissan today however the technician cannot duplicate the issue since it is random. It has come on 12 times in the past 15 days.