2020 NISSAN ALTIMA from NISSAN in Vehicle gets a Reviewboard buying read based on product details, price context, and buyer feedback. Reviewboard has a current national single-unit average price reference. No member discount is attached right now.
Government crash-test scores are separate from Reviewboard's own score and opinion shown above.
What is wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
How it will be fixed: 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.
Date reported to the U.S. government: 04/03/2021
What is wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
How it will be fixed: 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.
Date reported to the U.S. government: 11/03/2021
What is wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
How it will be fixed: 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.
Date reported to the U.S. government: 22/09/2020
What is wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
How it will be fixed: 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.
Date reported to the U.S. government: 05/11/2020
What is wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
How it will be fixed: 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.
Date reported to the U.S. government: 08/09/2023
What is wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
How it will be fixed: 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.
Date reported to the U.S. government: 27/06/2025
The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA carries a Reviewboard rating of 52.3 out of 100, with an overall opinion of poor.
The vehicle under review is the 2020 Nissan Altima, a sedan manufactured by NISSAN. This vehicle is positioned in the general market context where the average price estimate for this type of vehicle is around $18,500 USD. It is designed as a standard passenger vehicle intended for everyday transportation.
When examining the official safety data provided by NHTSA, the 2020 Nissan Altima has accumulated significant attention regarding consumer concerns. The data reflects 177 total consumer complaints, including 16 crash reports, 7 fire reports, and 10 injury reports. These reported issues frequently focus on components such as the electrical system, the engine, forward collision avoidance systems, and steering. Furthermore, the vehicle has been subject to several recalls. Specific recalls have addressed components like the steering tie rod assembly, tires, rear window glass, rearview camera harness, and engine-related mechanical parts. Owners of these vehicles should be aware that these recalls relate to specific component integrity and require attention.
Public feedback from owners suggests a generally negative sentiment regarding the long-term reliability of the 2020 Nissan Altima. Reports indicate persistent concerns, particularly surrounding the transmission system, which has been cited as a potential area for costly future repairs. Beyond mechanical concerns, owner discussions have pointed to issues related to windows and windshields, engine performance, and braking systems as common areas of complaint. This feedback suggests that while the vehicle offers a comfortable ride in some aspects, long-term reliability requires diligent maintenance and careful pre-purchase inspection.
Prospective buyers should thoroughly verify the status of all reported recalls associated with their specific vehicle, paying close attention to the details provided for steering components, tire specifications, and visibility systems. Given the documented concerns about the engine and electrical systems noted in the safety reports, a detailed inspection of these areas is strongly recommended. Furthermore, because public feedback highlights potential issues with reliability, prospective owners should investigate repair costs associated with common problems before making a final decision.
Based on the accumulated safety recall history and the general negative sentiment reflected in owner feedback regarding long-term reliability, the current assessment aligns with the Reviewboard opinion of poor. While the vehicle has an established market presence, the documented issues related to steering linkages, tire quality, and engine components necessitate caution for potential buyers. The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA is best considered for a buyer who is prepared to address known mechanical concerns proactively before purchase. The final buying recommendation remains poor, reflected by the score of 52.3 out of 100.
When approaching the purchase of a 2020 Nissan Altima, prospective buyers must shift their focus from the advertised features to the documented history of component integrity. The safety and recall information provided by NHTSA highlights specific areas where mechanical attention is critical. For instance, the recalls concerning the steering tie rod assembly directly address potential loss of steering control, which places immediate emphasis on inspecting the steering linkage during any pre-purchase inspection. Similarly, the recalls related to tires and rear window glass underscore that these are not merely cosmetic items but components whose failure can increase the risk of a crash. A buyer should treat these recall notices not as administrative hurdles, but as direct indicators of potential structural or functional weaknesses that Nissan has acknowledged. This means verifying that any service history provided by a seller explicitly details whether these specific repairs have been completed correctly and in accordance with the remedy instructions. Ignoring these documented issues leaves the buyer exposed to risks that are known within the vehicle's history.
Furthermore, the pattern of consumer complaints provides a roadmap for potential long-term ownership costs. The feedback gathered from owners frequently points toward concerns regarding the engine, electrical systems, and the transmission. While the powertrain is generally functional, the reported issues suggest that maintenance and potential future repairs related to these core systems may be more frequent or costly than anticipated. Buyers should anticipate budgeting for thorough diagnostic work on the engine and electrical components, as these areas were flagged in the safety reports. The mention of the CVT transmission reliability in owner discussions suggests that while the vehicle functions daily, long-term mechanical endurance requires an elevated level of scrutiny. This context transforms the purchase from a simple transaction into a calculated risk assessment where potential future expenses are factored into the initial decision.
To manage this risk effectively, a buyer should construct a specific checklist derived directly from the documented concerns. Before finalizing any deal, the buyer must request documentation confirming that all applicable recalls—specifically those pertaining to the steering, tires, glass, and camera systems—have been fully addressed by the dealer or service provider. This verification step is paramount because the remedies outlined in the recall notices are designed to mitigate crash risks, and failure to execute them leaves the vehicle in a compromised state. Additionally, given the high volume of reported complaints concerning electrical faults and engine performance, an independent mechanic inspection focusing specifically on these systems should be mandatory. This proactive approach moves the buyer from passively accepting the vehicle's history to actively managing its known liabilities. The goal is to ensure that the perceived comfort of the vehicle does not mask underlying mechanical vulnerabilities that could lead to unforeseen expenses or safety compromises down the line.
Ultimately, the information points toward a vehicle where documented concerns exist across multiple critical systems. The positive aspects of the Altima are balanced by the necessity of addressing known mechanical and safety liabilities before committing to ownership. Buyers should prioritize transparency regarding past repairs and ensure that any potential purchase is accompanied by rigorous, independent verification of the status of all listed recalls and complaints.
Based on this comprehensive review of the provided data, the final buying recommendation remains poor, reflected by the score of 52.3 out of 100 and the opinion poor.
Public buyer feedback skews negative. Checked 5 public results with 3 positive and 31 negative cues. One public result noted: The 2020 Nissan Altima scores 71/100 (Good) with 6 recalls and 162 owner complaints . Full breakdown of issues, safety ratings, and repair costs.
