2020 Nissan Altima problems
Complaints and recalls owners reported to NHTSA (US) for the 2020 Nissan Altima specifically. A guide to what to check on this model year.
2020 Nissan Altima safety recalls
177 owner complaints reported for the 2020 model year.
Most-reported areas
Electrical System
45 reports- The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while using the key fob to unlock the doors, the rear driver’s and rear passenger’s side doors failed to unlock as needed. The contact also stated that over time…
- 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,…
- 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.
Engine
36 reports- 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…
- 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
- 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 inspect…
Forward Collision Avoidance
29 reports- When braking there is a popping noise coming from the front of the car. And the Foward Braking light comes on for 5-10 mins of driving time then goes off
- I have been noticing electrical issues with the vehicle that have been going unresolved. This is the third time I'm taking it to a dealership. On 15 Nov 2022 the vehicle gave a frontal collision warning with no other ve…
- DURING A SNOW STORM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO IN COLORADO MY 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA'S FORWARD COLLISION ADAS KICKED IN LOCKING UP MY BREAKS CAUSING ME TO SLIDE INTO A CURB AND NEARLY REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE ALSO CAUSING ALIGNMENT…
Steering
20 reports- I JUST PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE THROUGH NISSAN TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 2000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I HAD THE CAR MY CAR MAKES LIKE A CLICKING POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL WHILE HITTING BUMPS. SO I LOOKED AT REVIEW…
- 1. Power steering cuts off while driving. Occurs intermittently -- once every two weeks or so. I am guessing that the intermittent nature of this is why more have not reported it. Warning lights show on dash indicating…
- When braking there is a popping noise coming from the front of the car. And the Foward Braking light comes on for 5-10 mins of driving time then goes off
Service Brakes
18 reports- 1. Power steering cuts off while driving. Occurs intermittently -- once every two weeks or so. I am guessing that the intermittent nature of this is why more have not reported it. Warning lights show on dash indicating…
- TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC BRAKING ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH NO OBJECTS WERE PRESENT BEHIND THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE SWITCHING T…
- When braking there is a popping noise coming from the front of the car. And the Foward Braking light comes on for 5-10 mins of driving time then goes off
Safety recalls
6Steering · Linkages · Tie Rod Assembly
NHTSA 21V138000Mar 2021
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.
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.
Tires
NHTSA 21V169000Mar 2021
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.
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.
Visibility · Glass · Side · Rear
NHTSA 20V570000Sep 2020
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.
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.
Tires
NHTSA 20V685000Nov 2020
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.
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.
Back Over Prevention · Sensing System · Camera
NHTSA 23V628000Sep 2023
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."
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 this recall is R23C3.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Engine · Hard Parts Internal · Mechanical
NHTSA 25V437000Jun 2025
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
- OpenAudit query · AQ22003Latches/Locks/Linkages
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
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
Opened 2022
- ClosedPreliminary evaluation · PE23023Engine And Engine Cooling
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
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 ti
Closed 2025
NHTSA investigation records, snapshot 2026-06-18.
Buying a Nissan Altima?
Check its VIN first. Decode the exact car and see its open safety recalls, free.
Complaint and recall data: NHTSA (US). Same-generation EU models usually share these mechanical issues.