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
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 25, 2022
When first purchased car headlights on passenger side did t work. They had to change the computer system. Had car whole week to complete. Then had to straighten the hood because it was off track. Now they states I have to get axle gears dropped and greased. Only had car 3 months and warranty doesn’t covers anything. States I need fuel induction and injection serviced
Steering, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 24, 2021
When braking there is a popping noise coming from the front of the car. And the Foward Braking light comes on for 5-10 mins of driving time then goes off
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 15, 2020, crash
DURING A SNOW STORM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IN COLORADO MY 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA'S FORWARD COLLISION ADAS KICKED IN LOCKING UP MY BREAKS CAUSING ME TO SLIDE INTO A CURB AND NEARLY REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE ALSO CAUSING ALIGNMENT ISSUE'S AND PROBLEMS WITH THE TRACTION SYSTEM. DUE TO LOCKING THE BRAKES THIS ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED. IT WAS ON A CITY STREET WHILE I WAS IN MOTION HOWEVER THE FORWARD COLLISION KICKED IN WAY EARLY AND SLAMMED THE BRAKES WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN COLD AND WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE IS A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY ISSUE NEAR THE CARS SUSPENSION WHERE A ROD IS ROUNDED AT THE ENDS, BUT FLAT IN THE CENTER AND WHEN THE COLLISION WITH CURB HAPPENED IT BENT THAT BAR AT THE FLAT PART CAUSING THE ALIGNMENT ISSUE. THIS ACCIDENT ALSO CAUSED MY CAR TO LIFT OFF THE GROUND ABOUT 6 INCHES AND TO DRIVE STRAIGHT REQUIRED ME TO TAKE ONE WHOLE LANE OF TRAFFIC AND TURN MY STEERING WHEEL 90 DEGREES TO STAY STRAIGHT AND ON THE ROAD. THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THIS SYSTEM TO REACT AS IS DID AS IF IT DID NOT REACT I HAD PLENTY OF TIME AND SPACE AND WOULDN'T HAVE WRECKED. THE SPEED LIMIT IN THE AREA IS 15MPH AND I WAS GOING NO MORE THAN 10MPH DUE TO THE SNOW AND FROZEN ROADS. THIS HAS GIVEN ME MIGRAINES AND I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY WRISTS, NECK, BACK AND RIBS DUE TO THE WHIPLASH CAUSED AS THE CAR ENDED UP SPEEDING UP HEADING INTO THE CRASH DUE TO THE ABRUPT HARD SLAM OF THE BRAKES CAUSED BY THE FORWARD COLLISION ON ICY ROADS. THE IMAGES ATTACHED ARE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL.
Forward collision avoidance, Nov 15, 2020
THE COLLISION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO NISSAN NOW ABOUR 4/5 TIMES AND HAVE TO TAKE IT AGAIN AS THE PROBLEM IS NEVER RESOLVED. I WROTE TO CORPORATE AND WAS BRUSHED OFF. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE NOW BECAUSE IF IM DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAN ABRUPTLY STOP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I FEAR DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE IT NOT ONLY JEOPARDIZES MY SAFETY, MY FAMILES BUT THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. NISSA. NEEDS TO ACCEPT LIABILITY AND JUST TAKE BACK THIS JUNK. I SHOW THE DEALERS THESE VIDEOS AND PICTURES WITH THE DIFFERENT TIMES AND MILEAGE AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I DUNNO WHAT OTHER OPTIONS I HAVE LEFT. THANK YOU