2020 Nissan Altima
The 2020 Nissan Altima is a midsize car, rated at 32 MPG combined by the EPA, with a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year.

- Combined MPG
- 32
- NHTSA safety
- Starting price
- $26,000
- Recalls
- 6
Watch: Altima reviews
Full specifications
Identity
SRC · NHTSA vPIC| Make | Nissan |
|---|---|
| Model | Altima |
| Model year | 2020 |
| Vehicle class | Midsize Car |
Engine & drivetrain
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Displacement | 2.5 L |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City MPG | 28 |
|---|---|
| Highway MPG | 39 |
| Combined MPG | 32 |
| CO₂ tailpipe | 278 g/mi |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1950 |
Available configurations
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| Altima | 32 MPG combined |
|---|---|
| Altima AWD | 30 MPG combined |
| Altima AWD SR/Platinum | 29 MPG combined |
| Altima SR/Platinum | 31 MPG combined |
| Altima SR/Platinum | 29 MPG combined |
Fuel economy
SRC · EPA FuelEconomy| City | 28 MPG |
|---|---|
| Highway | 39 MPG |
| Combined | 32 MPG |
Efficiency vs class average
About 13% below the class average.
- Amount financed
- $23,400
- Total interest
- $4,071
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≈ $1,256/yr · 12,000 mi/yr · $3.35/gal
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Cost to own
Estimate monthly payments and 5-year fuel cost using the tools in the sidebar. Figures use EPA fuel economy and current U.S. energy prices from EIA.
Safety ratings & recalls
SRC · NHTSA vPIC- Overall
- Frontal crash
- Side crash
- Rollover
Recalls (6)
- STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY21V138000 · 2021-03-04
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.
Remedy: 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.
- TIRES21V169000 · 2021-03-11
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.
Remedy: 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.
- VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR20V570000 · 2020-09-22
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.
Remedy: 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.
- TIRES20V685000 · 2020-11-05
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.
Remedy: 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.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA23V628000 · 2023-09-08
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."
Remedy: 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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V437000 · 2025-06-27
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.
Remedy: 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.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the MPG of the 2020 Nissan Altima?
The 2020 Nissan Altima is EPA-rated at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 39 highway).
Is the 2020 Nissan Altima reliable?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima. Recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer — verify any open recalls by VIN before purchase.
How safe is the 2020 Nissan Altima?
The 2020 Nissan Altima earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating, including 4 stars in the frontal crash test.
How much does it cost to fuel the 2020 Nissan Altima?
At 12,000 miles per year, the 2020 Nissan Altima costs roughly $1,256 per year to fuel, or about $6,281 over 5 years at current U.S. energy prices.
What type of vehicle is the 2020 Nissan Altima?
The 2020 Nissan Altima is classified as a midsize car. Common rivals in this class are worth comparing on price, MPG, and safety.
Sources: NHTSA vPIC · EPA FuelEconomy · NHTSA vPIC