Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the collision avoidance system failed to activate, and the vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was driven to the home and later to the body shop. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer have not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 67,000.
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. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the brakes suddenly activated, and the instrument panel illuminated with a vertical yellow light. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and waited for a while before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. The failure reoccurred the following morning while driving 35 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over, turned off, and restarted to continue driving. The failure had occurred approximately 5 times. …
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the message "Engine Malfunction" was displayed, and the check engine, traction control, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred days later. The vehicle was then taken to an independent machinic where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the battery was replaced three additional times by several independent mechanics; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
During a Code scan on the vehicle, the Intelligent driver assistance system Showed to refer to OEM repair manual for code description repair. The next day the vehicle crashed at 15 mph due to loss of control. Tie rod broke causing vehicle to crash and tire was detached. Vehicle is available to inspect. No warning lamps or message other then scan results .
This car is going to kill me! It randomly hits the brakes on the highways! I am literally driving a deadly weapon. I turn the emergency brakes off and had it checked and STILL brakes. It break everytime I pass a shade spot on the road and even highway going over 60 miles per hour! It hits the breaks while I am in traffic making the driver behind me almost hit my car. It breaks whenever I go under a tree. It breaks when I am in a parking garage when there are NO cars around. It breaks randomly in traffic with no cars too close by to create a collision. It breaks in front of a school bus that was driving close behind me. It hit the breaks going 30 miles per hour. If the school bus would have hit me then that would be child endangerment. The bus driver thought I would break checking him but it was hard to explain it was my emergency breaks. …
I was leaving for work, backing out of the driveway, and the brakes just locked up out of no where. I've done this multiple times and the brakes have never done this. I tried pulling up and trying again, turning the car off and back on, and backing a different way out of the driveway. It kept locking up on me and nothing was in the way. My husband had to eventually take me to work. The automatic braking system failed. I'm not sure if it is available for inspection upon request. At the time, my safety or anyone else's safety was not at risk. I just worry about if it happens while I'm driving on the road. That could defiantly not only put me at risk but also other drivers. No the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer. It just happened this morning. The vehicle has not been inspected. No warning lamps. …
I have been noticing electrical issues with the vehicle that have been going unresolved. This is the third time I'm taking it to a dealership. On 15 Nov 2022 the vehicle gave a frontal collision warning with no other vehicles around it felt like the emergency braking system engaged because the brakes became solid as a rock. I had to put the car into park and restart the vehicle to begin driving again. Then on 16 Nov 2022 the car battery was dead around 4:48 pm and I had to get the taco shop's help, they gave me jumper cables and my wife's co-worker got the car started. Now, 18 Nov 2022 the vehicle is in another dealership waiting to see what they say and the car is staying the weekend to be evaluated.
1. The volume knob for the radio is VERY touchy. Turns all the way up when trying to turn it down. 2. When I have cruise control on and am trying to avoid getting hit by a car that has gone too far out of their lane, the lane keeping assistant will fight me for control. 3. If labe assistance is fighting me for control then that means it's not detecting that a car is too close to me. 4. Back up camera image became garbled like it was getting bad TV reception. 5. Car hesitates at times or gets a sudden burst of speed. I am in the beginning stages of making this list to take to the dealership; so they have not checked the car yet.
This has been happening multiple times since December 25th, 2023. Presently, it's in the shop for the 6th time. This orange light comes on and then right after the vehicle just stops or slows down. Nothing is in front of or behind me. It's random...happens at night or anytime during the day and it stops itself while driving. It has been taken to the dealership 6 times since December and the problem has not been remedied. It is scary getting into the vehicle every time because I wonder, will it happen today? And what if someone is behind me? That could cause a major accident with injuries.
The back up camera froze and it kept glitching. This has been happening since May. Everything else seems to be fine while it's happening but now it's stuck like that when I try to back up. This is extremely dangerous as cars are now made with backup cameras as a safety feature. If that feature is broken it's going to be very bad. Most drivers now a day most every driver relies on this feature. This has happened 5 times now, but this time it seems permanent.
Related recalls
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
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.
Collision Avoidance complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2020 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2020 Nissan Altima, 20% of the model year's 160 complaints. The component named most often is warnings (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Nissan Altima collision avoidance problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-628 (camera, Sep 8, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Nissan Altima collision avoidance problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to driver assistance problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.