2020 Nissan Maxima Safety Report
2020 NISSAN MAXIMA Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Nissan Maxima
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Nissan Maxima. 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 | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (20) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Structure | Compare structure issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Nissan Maxima with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Nissan Maxima before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Maxima 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 Maxima 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 Maxima | 3 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Maxima | 17 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Nissan Maxima | 5 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Nissan Maxima | 35 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Nissan Maxima | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Nissan Maxima | 99 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Nissan Maxima Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Nissan Maxima, 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.
Structure
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Nissan onlyForward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyPower Train,Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System issues Nissan onlySteering,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Nissan Maxima
Reliability Score
The 2020 Nissan Maxima 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 Maxima
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 Maxima
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Nissan Maxima:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure Issues Structural components like the hood and front grill clips have broken, potentially leading to safety hazards. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Forward collision warning systems have malfunctioned, sometimes activating without cause. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Failures Sunroofs have blown out during normal driving conditions, posing a risk to passengers. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Front Control Arm Cracking Front control arms have been reported to crack, necessitating replacement. |
Medium | Common | 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 Maxima:
Issues with structural components like the hood and front grill clips have been reported.
Forward collision warning systems have malfunctioned, sometimes activating without cause.
Sunroofs have blown out during normal driving conditions, posing a risk to passengers.
Front control arms have been reported to crack, necessitating replacement.
Recall Details for the 2020 Nissan Maxima
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2020 Nissan Maxima by NHTSA:
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 Maxima
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Nissan Maxima with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle jerked before stalling in the middle of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The Police were called to block traffic. The vehicle was towed. The tow truck driver had issues while attempting to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the ...
When I start driving the front collision light comes on and off and then they'll stay on
Nissan dealership said the front control arms are cracking and recommended having them replaced.
Forward collision warning turns on about 20 seconds after the car starts. There was no accident or obstructions to the sensors, this apperas to just be equipment failure on a car with only 30k miles on it.
The sunroof inexplicably blew out while driving on a 3-lane interstate normally taken to work every day in the morning, windows were up. This movable portion of the sunroof is part of the panoramic sun roof. The sun shade was open, it is normally left open. Some small pieces of the glass fell onto me and seats but most was sucked up and away from the car. Thankfully, no glass hit me in the fa...
When I start driving, sometimes I randomly see Key System Error and DAS Malfunction. All other warnings such as emergency brake, traction control, blind spot detection light up. Engine RPM meter keeps going to 0 and back and forth (see video in the link below). When this happens, driver assistance features like forward collision warning, blind spot warning and lane departure warning stops working....
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and changing lanes, the hood unlatched, flew open and struck the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,214.
Was getting into the car. As we closed the doors, we heard the sunroof shatter. the edges of the broken glass were pushed up as if the air pressure inside the car broke the glass. If the inside cover was open, we would have been showered in glass. The manufacturer inspected and replaced the glass.
My transmission is bad.
1-Clips that secure the front grill and font quarter panels have broken for no apparent reason. 2-Body parts can fall off during driving if not repaired 3-Inspected at dealership 4-No warnings - the front camera looked "cloudy" because it had fallen when the grill clips broke and became loose The entire grill has to be replaced. All parts are on backorder with no date for restock. This is my dai...
Was at a four way stop. Other driver pulled out in front of me and I tried to not hit their vehicle but couldn’t avoid it. I was going around 15 miles per hour. The air bag discharged so hard it broke my windshield and injured my head, neck and lower back.
The front passenger side A-pillar molding flew off while driving in windy weather. This piece could have hit another vehicle and impeded their vision while driving. The molding was not otherwise compromised.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the collision sensor system on the vehicle was malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to brake on its own while reversing in parallel parking. The contact stated the vehicle would always make buzzing sounds while parking. The contact stated while he was reversing out of a parking space on a hill, the vehicle inadvertently stopped, causing him ...
While driving 2020 Nissan Maxima Sv the emergency park brake light up and rear brake light up and traction control light up on dash and it act like it looses power and when you go to settings on sonar it big green light in front of car And check engine light came on
My emergency brake comes on any time I drive after a heavy rain.. it starts to illuminate vaguely,then eventually the brake light will come on and then eventually it’ll start indicating to pull over. The first time I was in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. Was able to push down on the brake and release long enough to come off an exit before it came back on. Had to let the car sit for over 20 m...
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, the vehicle lost motive power, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System, Slip indicator, and Rear Automatic Braking warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manuf...
WINDSHIELD CRACKS RANDOMLY WITH NO POINT OF IMPACT. FRAYS OUTWARD. SEEMS TO BE STRESS FRACTURE FROM THE FRAME. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH 2020 NISSANS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN FLASHING RED AND THE VEHICLE FORCEFULLY BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEARBY AND A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH S...
2020 NISSAN MAXIMA SR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS GAS CAP DOOR LOCK FUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WOULD NEED A SYSTEM UPGRADE DO TO POOR VISIBILITY. *JS
NISSAN IN THE 2020 MAXIMA MODELS REMOVED THE LOCKING FEATURE OF THE GAS CAP DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR POSSIBLE VANDALISM TO THE VEHICLE A PERSONAL SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IS A KEYED LOCKING CAP IS INSTALLED THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TO FUMBLE THROUGH UNLOCKING THE CAP IN ORDER TO FILL THE TANK. NEITHER THE SALES PERSON OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL KNEW THIS FEATURE HAD BEEN REMOVED IN THE 2020...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Nissan Maxima
Has the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA has 20 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA involve structure (3 complaints), forward collision avoidance (2 complaints), air bags (2 complaints). Other affected components include power train,electrical system, steering,unknown or other, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA out of 20 total complaints (10.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA is generally recommended. It has 20 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA are: 1. STRUCTURE (3 complaints), 2. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints), 5. STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). STRUCTURE is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Be cautious of structural integrity and forward collision avoidance systems. Regular inspections are recommended to avoid potential hazards. The 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA has 20 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 20 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Structure Issues and Forward Collision Avoidance.
What are the known issues with the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Known issues with the 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA include: Structure Issues, Forward Collision Avoidance, Sunroof Failures, Front Control Arm Cracking. These are based on patterns found across 20 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any common structural issues with the 2020 Nissan Maxima?
Yes, hood and front grill clips have broken, and the front control arms have cracked.
What should I do if I experience issues with the forward collision warning system?
Have the system checked by a professional to ensure it is functioning correctly.
Can the sunroof fail during normal driving?
Yes, sunroofs have blown out during normal driving conditions, posing a risk.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of structural integrity and forward collision avoidance systems. Regular inspections are recommended to avoid potential hazards.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Nissan Maxima
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Nissan Maxima. The data includes 20 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Nissan Maxima an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 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