2020 Nissan Altima problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
33% of relevant owner complaints on the 2020 Nissan Altima are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is elevated. Worth an independent inspection before you commit to one.
Better than 65% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 11 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 31%).
Does the 2020 Nissan Altima have engine problems?
More than most. The pattern is elevated rather than severe. 56 of 168 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Altima concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (33%), and the largest group is filed under engine (36). For comparison, the 2019 scores 32% and the 2021 scores 14%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2020 Nissan Altima
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 56 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2020 Nissan Altima?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2020 Nissan Altima involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 6 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: 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.
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…
5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2020 Nissan Altima? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2020 Nissan Altima have engine problems?
More than most; the pattern is elevated rather than severe. 56 of 168 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Altima concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (33%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2020 Nissan Altima?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2020 Nissan Altima involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 6 in total: 25V437000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Nissan Altima years are better?
Among the Nissan Altima years we track, the 2021 (14%), the 2018 (21%) and the 2023 (25%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2020 (33%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2020 Nissan Altima?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2020 Nissan Altima has an elevated engine complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing engine work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.