2020 Nissan Altima: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2020 Nissan Altima

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2020 Nissan Altima recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Nissan Altima. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Engine & coolingFire risk

  Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

  Details 25V437000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Driver-assist systems

  A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 23V628000

  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."

  Fix: 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.

• Steering

  A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

  Details 21V138000

  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.

  Fix: 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 & wheels

  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.

  Details 21V169000

  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.

  Fix: 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 & wipers

  Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

  Details 20V570000

  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.

  Fix: 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 & wheels

  Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire.

  Details 20V685000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2020 Nissan Altima safety investigations and free repairs

Under investigation (not a recall):

• Hertz/vehicles rented with open recalls since Dec 2022

Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Exhaust and emissions: Therefore, Nissan is extending the emission warranty coverage on the model year 2019-2020 Altima Active Grille Shutter to 15 Years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2020 Nissan Altima safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

179 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

Other Nissan Altima years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022 2023 2024