2020 Nissan Altima problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Nissan Altima, filed between 2020-01-19 and 2026-08-27. The most common problem areas are the electrical system (45, 25%), engine (36, 20%) and forward collision avoidance (29, 16%). Owners reported 16 crashes, 7 fires, 15 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2020 Nissan Altima complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 45 | 25% | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Engine | 36 | 20% | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 35 | 20% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 29 | 16% | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 20 | 11% | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Power train | 17 | 9% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 17 | 9% | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 9 | 5% | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 4% | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 7 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 6 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Electrical system: 45 complaints
- 45 complaints of 179 (25%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 9 of them also name the engine; owners reported 6 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Engine: 36 complaints
- 36 complaints of 179 (20%) name the engine.
- 9 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 crash and 2 fires in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2020 Nissan Altima; the recall, campaign 25V437000, says: “The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.”
Forward collision avoidance: 29 complaints
- 29 complaints of 179 (16%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 10 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 4 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Steering: 20 complaints
- 20 complaints of 179 (11%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 4 of them also name the wheels; owners reported 3 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2020 Nissan Altima; the recall, campaign 21V138000, says: “The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.”
Power train: 17 complaints
- 17 complaints of 179 (9%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 5 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Service brakes: 17 complaints
- 17 complaints of 179 (9%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 10 of them also name the forward collision avoidance; owners reported 3 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2020 Nissan Altima covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 21 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names ALTIMA, model year 2020. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2020 Nissan Altima recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2020 Nissan Altima's most common problem areas are the electrical system (45 of 179 complaints), engine (36 of 179 complaints) and forward collision avoidance (29 of 179 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Nissan Altima, including 16 reported crashes and 7 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Nissan Altima's problems?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima; 2 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.