Is the 2020 Nissan Altima a bad year?
183 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Altima years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2020 Nissan Altima are in line with other Altima years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 21,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 46 (25%) | 12k–66k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 18 (10%) | 3k–38k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 43 (23%) | 28k–110k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Collision avoidance | 30 (16%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 20 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 21,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 183 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
33 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima: 6
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.
Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 67
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Fluid leak caused by transfer assembly right side drive shaft oil seal
Clicking noise from front or rear axle during take-off/acceleration
Abnormal noise, vibration and/or binding feeling from rear differential
DTC P0404 stored in the ECM at temperatures below 32 degf
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
Neighbouring years
2019 Altima: 234 complaints, keep it · 2021 Altima: 71 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Altima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Altima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2020 Nissan Altima a bad year?
183 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Altima years. At 21,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (46), brakes (18), engine (43), collision avoidance (30), steering (20).
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 25V-437), Backup camera (NHTSA 23V-628), Tires (NHTSA 21V-169), Steering (NHTSA 21V-138) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.