2020 Nissan Altima recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima and 181 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are electrical system (46), engine (37), unknown or other (35). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 30–32 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2020 ranks #6 of 14 Altima model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (469). It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 4.4 per model year.
Recalls 6
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2020 Nissan Altima. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Engine and engine cooling · engine · hard parts internal/mechanical
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Problem: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Tires
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Steering · linkages · tie rod assembly
Problem: 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.
Risk: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Tires
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility · glass, side/rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
SUBJECT: Improper Recall Remedy Denial – NHTSA Recall #25V437000 (Nissan R25A8/R25A9) Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Altima 2.0L VC-Turbo Mileage at Failure: 147,540 Incident Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure resulting in a permanent no-start condition. The vehicle had been parked normally and completely failed to start the following morning. An in…
Multiple door lock actuators have failed, potentially trapping occupants in the vehicle.
I leased and then bought a new 2020 Altima in 11/19 with 4 Continental tires. On 8/27/26 I saw a hole and fissures in the sidewall of the right-rear tire (Continental Pro Contact TX 215 / 55 R 17. All 4 tires had 7/32 wear on 11/30/25 and were rotated front to back. Threads are good.
Safety ratings
2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD
2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2020 Nissan Altima.
Altima
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Altima AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima, most recently for engine and engine cooling · engine · hard parts internal/mechanical (06/27/2025). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
Based on 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are electrical system (46), engine (37), unknown or other (35).
Is the 2020 Nissan Altima safe?
The 2020 Nissan Altima earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2020 a good year for the Nissan Altima?
The 2020 ranks #6 of 14 Altima model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (469). It has 6 recalls vs. an average of 4.4 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Nissan Altima get?
EPA ratings for the 2020 Nissan Altima range from 30 to 32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2020 Nissan Altima in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: ALTIMA, Altima.