CarModelProblems.com

2020 Nissan Altima Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 09/08/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2551 model-years tracked on this site.
158Complaints
6Recalls
15Crashes
5Fires
13Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (23.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.1× the median for that category across the 2551 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System37 · 23.4%No official action
Engine33 · 20.9%RecalledRecall 25V437000
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings19 · 12%No official action
Service Brakes17 · 10.8%No official action
Power Train16 · 10.1%No official action
Steering13 · 8.2%RecalledRecall 21V138000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

Unspecified / other35 · 22.2%
ENGINE33 · 20.9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS19 · 12%
SERVICE BRAKES17 · 10.8%
POWER TRAIN16 · 10.1%
STEERING13 · 8.2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING10 · 6.3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER10 · 6.3%
AIR BAGS8 · 5.1%

Percentages are the share of the 158 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

NHTSA campaign 21V138000 · 2021 · reported 03/04/2021

A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires

NHTSA campaign 21V169000 · 2021 · reported 03/11/2021

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 20V570000 · 2020 · reported 09/22/2020

Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires

NHTSA campaign 20V685000 · 2020 · reported 11/05/2020

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 23V628000 · 2023 · reported 09/08/2023

A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

NHTSA campaign 25V437000 · 2025 · reported 06/27/2025

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I was driving on the Freeway and without warning my car reduced speed. Then there was a warning bell that showed engine malfunction power reduced…”NHTSA complaint 11595567 — filed 06/20/2024 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I can be driving and all of a sudden the collision symbol starts flashing,it has done it at least ten times”NHTSA complaint 11577229 — filed 03/13/2024 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“The information system head unit crashes (reboots) on demand when a MS Teams call is answered or initiated via CarPlay. Crashing of the head unit…”NHTSA complaint 11545173 — filed 09/18/2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

302020292021252022442023482024572025302026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Altima?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 37 of 158 NHTSA complaints (23.4%), followed by unspecified/other issues (35), engine (33), forward collision avoidance: warnings (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2020 Nissan Altima have?

158 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 09/08/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2020 Nissan Altima have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V138000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2020 Nissan Altima's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 09/08/2026.