2020 Nissan Altima MPG
The 2020 Nissan Altima gets 25–28 mpg in the city and 34–39 on the highway (29–32 combined), across the 5 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 32 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive and is rated 29 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2019 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | Regular · 278 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima SR/Platinum | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 37 | 31 | Regular · 288 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 30 | Regular · 300 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima AWD SR/Platinum | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 34 | 29 | Regular · 307 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima SR/Platinum | 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 29 | Regular · 311 g CO₂/mi |
2020 Nissan Altima fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2020 Nissan Altima costs about $2,040 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (32 mpg combined), or roughly 14 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (29 mpg combined) comes to about $2,250 a year, $210 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2020 Nissan Altima specs
2020 Nissan Altima buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo. It came with a CVT, in all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a midsize car.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 2.0 L turbo | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2020 Nissan Altima problems
Owners have filed 160 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Altima with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (16% of component mentions), followed by engine (13%) and forward collision avoidance (12%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 23 complaints a year: fewer than the 2019 (29 a year) and more than the 2021 (12 a year).
That ranks 12th of 17 Nissan Altima model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 160, 15 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 9 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 43 | 16% |
| Unknown or other | 35 | 13% |
| Engine | 34 | 13% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 33 | 12% |
| Power train | 17 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 6% |
| Steering | 13 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 4% |
| Air bags | 8 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 3% |
| Back over prevention | 6 | 2% |
| Structure | 6 | 2% |
| Wheels | 6 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2% |
| Lane departure | 4 | 2% |
| Tires | 3 | 1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Multiple door lock actuators have failed, potentially trapping occupants in the vehicle.
SUBJECT: Improper Recall Remedy Denial – NHTSA Recall #25V437000 (Nissan R25A8/R25A9) Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Altima 2.0L VC-Turbo Mileage at Failure: 147,540 Incident Description: The vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure resulting in a permanent no-start condition. …
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the auto-braking system unexpectedly activated, and there was a grinding sound coming from the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. …
2020 Nissan Altima recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Nissan Altima.
The most recent, campaign 25V437000 from June 2025, concerns engine and engine cooling.
Tires account for 2 of the 6 campaigns, more than any other area.
20V685000 · November 5, 2020 · Tires
Problem: 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.
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.
20V570000 · September 22, 2020 · Visibility
Problem: 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Altima years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V437000 | June 27, 2025 | Engine and engine cooling | 2019–2020 |
| 23V628000 | September 8, 2023 | Back over prevention | 2019–2021 |
| 21V169000 | March 11, 2021 | Tires | 2019–2020 |
| 21V138000 | March 4, 2021 | Steering | 2020–2021 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2020 Nissan Altima; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| 4-door AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Nissan Altimas can be compared fairly. Among other 2020 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2020 Chevy Malibu (32 mpg), 2020 Nissan Sentra (33 mpg) and 2020 Toyota Camry (34 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 31 | 393 | 39 | 3 |
| 2018 | 31 | 226 | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | 32 | 233 | 29 | 7 |
| 2020 | 32 | 160 | 23 | 6 |
| 2021 | 32 | 70 | 12 | 2 |
| 2022 | 32 | 31 | 6.1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 31 | 30 | 7.4 | 0 |
Every Nissan Altima model year compared →
Similar 2020 models
FAQ
Is the 2020 Altima a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2020 Nissan Altima has 23 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (12th most of 17 model years), 6 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 32 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2020 Altima problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (43), engine (34) and forward collision avoidance (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2020 Altima have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Altima get?
The EPA rates the versions at 29–32 mpg combined (25–28 city, 34–39 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Altima per year?
About $2,040 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,250 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).