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

- 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
Trims
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 192.9 in | 72.8 in | 57.1 in | 111.4 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 3,406 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 39 / 32 | +16% | $2,100 | 278 |
| Altima SR/Platinum | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 37 / 31 | +12% | $2,150 | 288 |
| Altima AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 35 / 30 | +9% | $2,250 | 300 |
| Altima AWD SR/Platinum | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | +5% | $2,300 | 307 |
| Altima SR/Platinum | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 29 | +5% | $2,300 | 311 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.2% |
| 2020 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.2% |


Similar 2020 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan Altima (this car) | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Impala | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda 3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 32 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.
Not every 2020 Nissan Altima is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Nissan Altima buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 38 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 34 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 20 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Altima | 30 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 Altima | 31 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 7 |
| 2024 Altima | 31 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 41 |
| 2023 Altima | 31 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 30 |
| 2022 Altima | 32 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 31 |
| 2021 Altima | 32 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 70 |
| 2019 Altima | 32 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 234 |
| 2018 Altima | 31 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 226 |
| 2017 Altima | 31 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 393 |
| 2016 Altima | 31 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 555 |
| 2015 Altima | 31 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 952 |
| 2014 Altima | 31 | 191.7 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 1,025 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →