2020 Nissan Altima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 9%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Nissan Altima, 9% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Parked the car for roughly 10 minutes. Came back and started car with all lights on dash illuminated. Hard to drive, hard to steer and could not tell how fast vehicle was moving as speedometer didn't work. This has happened before, had it taken to Nissan dealer. Advised that they couldn't duplicate the lights issues after it sat for 3 days before resetting itself.”
NHTSA complaint #11412753, filed 2021-04, 14,500 miles“During cold temperatures the car accelerates poorly, engine RPM is unusual. At least one instance of the engine warning light illuminates with a service now message displayed. In all cases the vehicle engine was running, in (slow) motion, and on a city street and one incident on a highway going straight ahead. A service department of a Nissan dealer was contacted and they stated that they have received multiple complaints of this nature about this call year and model.”
NHTSA complaint #11396918, filed 2021-02, 10,976 miles“Many times while I'm driving, I feel a jerky motion. when I am at a stop light, and proceed to hit the accelerator, it will not pick up. I have lost power, the car will jerk while I'm driving. The RPM will rave go up. It's very dangerous because I can be driving and the engine will lose or reduced power. I get a whining sound, like my transmission, is gonna go out.”
NHTSA complaint #11685498, filed 2025-09“While accelerating from a complete stop, the car stalled with tires, powertrain, and steering wheel all locked. For 15 seconds, the steering wheel, tires, and car was unable to be manipulated. During acceleration, the speed was less than 15mph when it came to an abrupt stop. Another car behind me almost hit me when my car came to a stop. Car was just serviced for another warranty issue a few months ago by Nissan dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11604036, filed 2024-07“This issue involves a documented and recurring safety-related defect that was reported multiple times while my vehicle was still covered under Nissan’s factory warranty related to the airbag system. My 2020 Nissan Altima currently has approximately 53,900 miles and has experienced repeated airbag/SRS failures associated with diagnostic code B1436-13, indicating an open circuit within the passenger airbag system. This issue has occurred on multiple occasions, including in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026. …”
NHTSA complaint #11737675, filed 2026-05Related service bulletins
- 11001192Jun 7, 2024CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10248654Dec 13, 2023TRANSFER ASSEMBLY SEAL REPLACEMENT FOR AWD FRONT DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10248650Dec 13, 2023FLUID LEAK CAUSED BY TRANSFER ASSEMBLY RIGHT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT OIL SEAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10237563May 8, 2023CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA âWRITEâ PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10235776Apr 4, 2023CVT SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER KNOB REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION SERVICE INFORMATION If the CVT Shift Selector Lever Knob needs to be removed or installed for any reason, refer to the…
- 10234046Mar 29, 2023PREVENT FRONT AXLE THREAD DAMAGE DURING NUT REMOVAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10227268Nov 23, 2022DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or…
- 10227254Nov 9, 2022ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR BINDING FEELING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions…
- 10222717Sep 27, 2022PREVENT FRONT AXLE THREAD DAMAGE DURING NUT REMOVAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 4 | 10% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 4% |
| 2020 | 17 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 24 | 11% |
| 2017 | 133 | 34% |
| 2016 | 235 | 42% |
| 2015 | 161 | 17% |
| 2014 | 209 | 19% |
| 2013 | 505 | 22% |
| 2012 | 149 | 35% |
| 2011 | 68 | 28% |
| 2010 | 73 | 19% |
| 2009 | 95 | 6% |
| 2008 | 80 | 8% |
| 2007 | 62 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 10% |
| 2005 | 115 | 11% |
| 2004 | 17 | 6% |
| 2003 | 34 | 4% |
| 2002 | 39 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 8% |
| 1995 | 27 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2020 Nissan Altima
46 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsForward collision avoidance
30 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology