2020 Nissan Altima Safety Report
2020 NISSAN ALTIMA SAFETY ANALYSIS
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Nissan Altima
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Nissan Altima. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (165) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 22 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Nissan Altima with 20 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Nissan Altima before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Altima Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Altima years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Altima | 56 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Altima | 210 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Nissan Altima | 20 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Nissan Altima | 217 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Nissan Altima | 24 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Nissan Altima | 375 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Nissan Altima Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Nissan Altima, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyEngine
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyPower Train
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyVisibility/Wiper
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Nissan onlyForward Collision Avoidance
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Nissan Altima
Reliability Score
The 2020 Nissan Altima receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Nissan Altima
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Nissan Altima
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Nissan Altima:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Recalled for hard parts internal/mechanical failures, affecting 2019-2024 Rogue and 2019-2020 Altima. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Linkages And Tie Rod Assembly Recalled for tie rod assembly issues, affecting 2020-2021 Altima. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility And Wiper System Recalled for glass and tire issues, affecting 2020 Altima, Maxima, and Leaf. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Back-Up Camera Display Recalled for sensing system and camera issues, affecting 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Nissan Altima:
30% of reported issues involve engine and engine cooling problems.
20% of reported issues involve steering problems.
15% of reported issues involve visibility and wiper system problems.
10% of reported issues involve back-up camera display problems.
Recall Details for the 2020 Nissan Altima
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Nissan Altima by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 2, 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.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 t...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Nissan Altima
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The “check engine” light came on - after shutting off the engine a couple times - it still came on. Took the 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum to Glendale Nissan - after a 3 hour wait they said I need a new Cam Shaft for $6,000. The car only has 42,000 miles. I took the car to get a second option - they want $9,000 to fix it. So I called Nissan to enter a claim on February 20. It took Nissan until March...
I am having issues with the back-up camera display on the radio screen freezing up occasionally while backing up and once it went black while backing up. I have also had dozens of issues with the drivers door not opening. Occasionally when i try to exit the vehicle the door will not fully unlatch to open. It will only partially unlatch to open a crack. I have tried locking/unlocking, shutting off ...
My vehicle was in a car accident and during the impact my seat belt came undone
This is my second Altima I bought. A 2016 and a 2020. Both vehicles had issues where the car door wouldn't open from the inside or outside due to the lock system. If my car is "locked" and I go to open the drivers door,. it sets off the theft alarm system. These issues cause major issues because if I get into an accident and am not able to open the car door I could possibly die from not being able...
Message popped up while driving saying “engine malfunction power reduced service now”. Pairs with the check engine light coming on
I received a Recall # R25B1 for my Nissan Altima 2020. I visited my local Nissan Dealer in Chelmsford, MA, on December 30, 2025. They explained that they saw an issue and that I would need a new engine. There are 32,000 miles on this vehicle. They began the process but were then told by Nissan Corporate that it did not meet the requirements of the recall, and they would not be replacing it. I am i...
Door lock actuator will not function properly, causing my car to “lock” with my keys inside the vehicle. This is available for inspection upon request. This is a safety hazard because my drivers side, and both back doors do not lock properly and can be accidentally opened when driving. Mount Airy Nissan has been notified of this problem and have inspected my vehicle, and agrees there’s an issue. T...
Need a new engine / gasket confirmed by pep boys. Been at the dealership a lot more than usual lately and they kept telling me everything is fine with my vehicle
On October 31, 2025, I noticed the Check engine light was on, after inspecting the car at the closest car shop the technician noticed white powder on the driver side knee airbag cover. Next morning I brought my vehicle to Temecula Nissan telling about airbag powder leakage. But this issue was completely ignored by the Advisor, who for some reason decided to fix another issue but ignoring my airbag...
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the expressway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the engine started knocking significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to slowly pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was ...
Locks no longer work with key fob or button within car and sometimes even takes multiple attempts to manually unlock. This poses a danger if needed to enter or exit the car in a hurry.
I am writing to request immediate assistance regarding the recall inspection for my 2020 Nissan Altima Platinum. Last week I received a letter notifying me of an open recall and instructing me to have my vehicle inspected. I brought my car to my local Nissan dealership on Saturday. During the inspection, I was told that metal debris was found in the engine and that the vehicle would need a full e...
3 out of 4 of my doors have to be locked and unlocked by hand instead of using my Nissan key button to unlock my car. 3 of the motors are bad or it's some kind of electrical issue that goggle says is common in 2019 to 2020 Nissan Altimas. I feel like I shouldn't have to pay out of pocket myself to get this fixed if it's a noted common issue on goggle.
Unknown. The engine started have overheating issues but never was ran in the overheated zone. We took the car to the dealer and was told the head was cracked. We questioned how that was possible if we never ran it in the overheated zone. We were told they did not know but that several other Customers in the last few weeks have had the same issue. Then we heard about the recall but was told our car...
All 4 door lock actuators have failed, no warning lamps indicating this issue, first appeared in 2024. Car has been broken into as a result
See attached document for complaint.
2020 Nissan Altima involved in a 3 car collision. Altima was rear ended by a vehicle travelling approximately 50 MPH and forced Altima to rear end the vehicle in front of it. Vehicle is a total loss. No air bags deployed.
My driver door does not lock and unlock automatically. This poses a risk because my door remains unlocked when I think that it is locked. Also, I have to go in through the backseat of the passenger seat in order to get in my car posing risk of someone coming up behind me. I had the back actuators replaced a couple of years ago, I asked about the front since the car was still under warranty and I w...
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 RE...
Many times while I'm driving, I feel a jerky motion. when I am at a stop light, and proceed to hit the accelerator, it will not pick up. I have lost power, the car will jerk while I'm driving. The RPM will rave go up. It's very dangerous because I can be driving and the engine will lose or reduced power. I get a whining sound, like my transmission, is gonna go out.
Showing 20 of 165 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Nissan Altima
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Opened 2023-12-13 · Closed 2025-07-18
On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles. At that time, ODI had received 6 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and multiple early warning reports, with consumers reporting engine knocking noises accompanied by a loss of engine power while driving. The investigation identif...
Component: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Opened 2022-12-16
NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates Hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Nissan Altima
Has the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA has 165 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 15 involved crashes. 15 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA involve unknown or other (18 complaints), engine (15 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints). Other affected components include power train, visibility/wiper, forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
There are 15 crash reports associated with the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA out of 165 total complaints (9.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
There are 7 fire reports for the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA out of 165 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
15 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA is acceptable with caveats. It has 165 complaints, 6 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18 complaints), 2. ENGINE (15 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (14 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (8 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (6 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Be aware of potential engine and cooling issues, steering problems, and back-up camera display freezing. Regular maintenance and timely recalls can help mitigate these risks. The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA has 165 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 165 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 22 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Steering Linkages and Tie Rod Assembly.
What are the known issues with the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA?
Known issues with the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Steering Linkages and Tie Rod Assembly, Visibility and Wiper System, Back-up Camera Display. These are based on patterns found across 165 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
Common issues include engine and cooling problems, steering issues, and back-up camera display freezing.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima?
Yes, there are recalls for engine and cooling issues, steering problems, and back-up camera display issues.
What should I do if I experience issues with my 2020 Nissan Altima?
Contact your local Nissan dealer for inspection and repair, especially if you notice any of the common issues mentioned.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential engine and cooling issues, steering problems, and back-up camera display freezing. Regular maintenance and timely recalls can help mitigate these risks.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Nissan Altima
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Nissan Altima. The data includes 165 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 15 reported crashes, 7 fire incidents, 15 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Nissan Altima an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16