Makes›Nissan›Altima›2020

2020 Nissan Altima

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Nissan Altima
Pictured: 2024 Nissan Altima SR, front left, 05-05-2025. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 28 city / 39 hwy
Length
192.9 in
Curb weight
3,406 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2020 midsize car (27.6 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints161 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 18 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Nissan Altima is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 193 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,406 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 39 highway), 16% better than the 2020 midsize car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,100 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Altima — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Altima →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.5L
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

SSRSL

Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee · Canton, Mississippi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Altima configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan192.9 in72.8 in57.1 in111.4 in63.4 / 63.4 in3,406 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Altima2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 39 / 32+16%$2,100278
Altima SR/Platinum2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 37 / 31+12%$2,150288
Altima AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)All-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 30+9%$2,250300
Altima AWD SR/Platinum2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)All-Wheel Drive26 / 34 / 29+5%$2,300307
Altima SR/Platinum2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 29+5%$2,300311
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.6 MPG2020 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.2%
2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.2%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD
Side crash test — 2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Nissan Altima (this car)32 MPG★★★★★6
2020 Honda Accord48 MPGNot rated6
2020 Chevrolet Impala22 MPG★★★★★0
2020 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★3
2020 Nissan GT-R18 MPGNot rated0
2020 Mazda 330 MPGNot rated0
2020 Chevrolet Malibu32 MPG★★★★★1

Recalls (6)

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Jun 27, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V437000 · 443,899 vehicles

Problem
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 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 8, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V628000 · 153,376 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Tires › Sidewall · Mar 11, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V169000 · 36,141 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly · Mar 4, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V138000 · 2,407 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
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 · Nov 5, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V685000 · 2,214 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
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.
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear · Sep 22, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V570000 · 150 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Nissan Altima is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

161Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
15Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
13Injuries reported
14,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System38
Unknown Or Other36
Engine34
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings20
Service Brakes17
Power Train16
Steering13
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking10
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/08: 224/09: 124/10: 224/11: 125/01: 125/02: 125/04: 425/05: 225/06: 425/07: 825/08: 125/09: 625/10: 225/11: 425/12: 426/01: 326/02: 226/03: 226/04: 126/05: 526/06: 126/07: 526/08: 226/10: 324/0824/1125/0425/0725/1026/0126/0426/07max 8

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Nissan Altima buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 38 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 34 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 20 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Altima. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Altima years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Altima30192.9 inNot rated01
2025 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★27
2024 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★141
2023 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★030
2022 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★031
2021 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★270
2019 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★7234
2018 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★2226
2017 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★3393
2016 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★4555
2015 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★10952
2014 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★81,025

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →