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 presents a complex picture for potential buyers, reflected in its Reviewboard rating of 52.3 out of 100 and the associated opinion of poor. This assessment is based on an examination of official safety data, documented recalls, owner feedback, and market context.
The vehicle under review is the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA, a model that positions itself as a mainstream sedan. It is designed for general daily driving and transportation needs. Understanding what this car is intended to do helps frame the concerns raised by the collected data. The market context places the original average price for this vehicle at $18,500 USD.
Understanding the Reviewboard Score The Reviewboard assigns a score of 52.3 and an opinion of poor. This rating reflects significant concerns identified across the vehicle's history. The analysis points to specific areas where potential issues have been documented, particularly concerning safety components and maintenance history, which leads directly to the negative assessment.
Safety and Recall History The official safety information reveals a history that requires careful scrutiny. While the NHTSA overall rating is 5, broken down by category, there are specific concerns noted in the component areas of the vehicle. The total count of consumer complaints across various categories, including crash reports, fire reports, and injury reports, totals 177. Top components flagged for these issues include the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, STEERING, and UNKNOWN OR OTHER systems.
Specific Recall Details The vehicle has been subject to several recalls that owners should be aware of. For instance, there are specific actions related to the steering linkages, which address the tie rod ball joint assembly, and concerns regarding tire curing processes for certain models. Furthermore, there are recalls pertaining to the rear window glass securing mechanism and the rearview camera system, which directly impact visibility and compliance with safety standards. There is also a recall concerning engine hard parts internal/mechanical components related to bearing failures in specific engine configurations.
Owner Feedback and Reliability Concerns Public feedback gathered from owners suggests a pattern of negative sentiment regarding long-term reliability. Owner reports indicate that while the vehicle can be comfortable for general use, concerns persist around its long-term dependability. Specifically, there is noted apprehension surrounding potential issues with the transmission system, such as the CVT, which owners suggest demands diligent maintenance to avoid costly problems down the line. Furthermore, owner complaints frequently point toward issues involving windows, windshields, engine performance, and braking systems.
What Buyers Must Verify For any prospective buyer considering this 2020 Nissan Altima, several critical verification steps must be taken. Buyers should thoroughly inspect all steering linkages and related components to ensure they have not been affected by the noted recall. It is essential to examine the tires for any signs of potential curing issues, as these relate directly to vehicle control. Furthermore, given the documented complaints regarding the engine and electrical systems, a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is strongly advised. Buyers should also investigate the history related to the rear visibility systems and ensure that all safety-related components are in proper working order.
Conclusion The 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA is a vehicle with documented safety and maintenance concerns, as reflected by its Reviewboard score of 52.3 and the opinion of poor. While it offers a baseline level of functionality, the accumulated recall history and owner feedback regarding components like steering, tires, and engine systems suggest that potential buyers must approach this purchase with heightened caution. The vehicle is best suited for those willing to address known mechanical and safety concerns proactively before making a final decision.
In summary, based on the collected editorial inputs, the buying recommendation leans toward caution. The current Reviewboard score remains 52.3 out of 100.
When evaluating this vehicle, prospective owners must treat the documented recalls and complaint patterns not as minor footnotes but as critical indicators of potential future maintenance costs and safety risks. The specific recall concerning the steering tie rod assembly demands immediate attention during any inspection; verifying that the fasteners have been properly addressed or replaced is paramount to ensuring steering control remains reliable and safe. Similarly, because multiple tire-related recalls were issued, buyers should insist on a thorough examination of the tires themselves, looking for any signs of premature wear or structural compromise beyond normal aging, as this directly relates to the documented risk of sudden loss of vehicle control. This proactive inspection moves the focus from simply accepting the vehicle's current state to actively managing its known history.
Furthermore, the recurring theme in owner feedback points toward potential long-term reliability issues, particularly concerning powertrain components like the transmission and engine systems. While the overall structure may appear sound, the documented concerns regarding electrical systems, engine performance, and transmission longevity suggest that routine maintenance should be elevated to a higher standard than standard recommendations. Buyers should seek out service records that specifically detail maintenance performed on these high-risk areas, as this documentation can provide tangible information of how the vehicle has been cared for over time. Understanding the context of the 177 reported consumer complaints—which frequently touch upon engine and electrical faults—allows a buyer to better assess the potential financial burden associated with necessary repairs down the road.
Ultimately, the decision hinges on balancing the vehicle's baseline utility against the known liabilities. If a buyer is prepared to invest significant time and resources into verifying the integrity of the steering, tire safety, and powertrain components through expert inspection and diligent maintenance, they might find value in this model. However, if the priority is purchasing a vehicle with minimal documented history of mechanical or safety concerns, the current data suggests that the risks associated with the 2020 NISSAN ALTIMA are substantial enough to warrant extreme caution. The information strongly indicates that while the vehicle exists on the market, its history places it in a category requiring significant due diligence from any potential owner.
Based on this comprehensive review of safety data, recall history, and public feedback, the final buying recommendation remains cautious. The current Reviewboard score is 52.3 out of 100, with an opinion of 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.
