Locks no longer work with key fob or button within car and sometimes even takes multiple attempts to manually unlock. This poses a danger if needed to enter or exit the car in a hurry.
2020 Nissan Altima electrical problems
severe 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
6fires
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 35 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2020 Nissan Altima has widespread electrical failures including uncontrolled emergency braking, door lock failures, fires, and infotainment crashes—some dangerous enough that owners fear for their safety and children's lives. Multiple complaints show Nissan aware of issues but unwilling to help.
The 2020 Altima's electrical system has serious problems. The automatic emergency braking engages without any vehicle ahead, bringing the car to a dead stop at highway speeds—one owner reported this happens weekly and drives under 40 mph out of fear. The crash avoidance and blind spot systems malfunction frequently and randomly; diagnostics often cannot replicate the issue.
Door lock actuators fail across multiple vehicles, sometimes all four doors at once. Owners report being unable to lock or unlock with the fob, getting trapped inside, or finding the car unlocked when they believed it was secured. One vehicle was broken into as a result. The backup camera glitches or freezes permanently, defeating a key safety feature.
The infotainment system crashes every time a Microsoft Teams call is answered via CarPlay—a defect Nissan knows about and ignores, despite its sister company Renault fixing the identical bug. The wiper fluid sensor stays on even when the tank is full, wiper spray doesn't work properly, and the fuel gauge reads wrong.
Most alarming: four separate owners reported electrical fires. One started under the steering wheel after the driver parked; another ignited in the seat heater at 55,000 miles; two more occurred on the highway with fire spreading rapidly. Nissan dismissed one as a "thermal event" and offered no help.
Brake switches come loose, the lane-keeping assist fights the driver, the engine stalls unexpectedly at highway speed, and the vehicle's alarm sounds without cause. Dealers confirm many failures but often cannot replicate intermittent issues, leaving owners unrepaired.
Same Nissan Altima electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Emergency Braking / Crash Avoidance System Malfunction
Vehicle's automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems activate without objects or vehicles present, causing sudden hard braking that brings the car to a complete stop or dramatic speed loss. Owners report this occurs randomly at various speeds and on highways, creating hazardous situations where following vehicles nearly collide.
When: 1 month post-purchase (complaint #1); early in ownership; random occurrences during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights up red, all warning lights illuminate; Vehicle comes to abrupt complete stop without cause; Frontal collision warning displays with no vehicle ahead; Automatic electronic braking engages in reverse with no objects present; Vehicle decelerates from 70 mph down to 34 mph without driver input; Engine stall message appears; Brakes become 'solid as a rock' requiring vehicle restart; Collision warning flashing repeatedly; Occurs 12 times in 15 days, once weekly in some cases
Codes mentioned: Crash Avoidance System fault, Forward collision warning sensor malfunction, Rear collision sensor malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Crash avoidance system replacement needed (3,000 miles); technicians unable to replicate issue during diagnostic
Door Lock Actuator Failure
Door lock actuators fail on multiple doors, preventing locks and unlocks via key fob, dashboard buttons, or manual key operation. Doors lock and unlock intermittently or completely, trapping or leaving owners unable to secure the vehicle. Problem affects front and rear doors independently.
When: After several years of ownership in some cases; within months in others; complaint #31 notes failure first appeared in 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side door will not lock or unlock automatically; Door remains unlocked when owner believes it is locked; Theft alarm activates when attempting to open locked door; All 4 door actuators non-functional simultaneously; Key fob lock/unlock does not work; Manual unlock from outside with physical key does not work; Driver side door locks owner in and out randomly; Multiple attempts required to manually unlock; Rear doors failed first, then front doors progressively failed; Vehicle broken into due to inability to lock; No warning lights or messages indicating failure
Repairs/costs cited: Rear door actuators replaced on some vehicles; front door actuators estimated at $800 per side; all 4 actuators require replacement in advanced cases; confirmed by multiple dealers
Electrical Fire / Dashboard Fire
Electrical fires originate in the dashboard, steering wheel area, or near battery/firewall on driver side, sometimes while vehicle is parked and engine off. Fires develop rapidly and fully engulf vehicle; in some cases flames visible within minutes of power loss on highway.
When: Complaint #4: 132,000 miles; Complaint #5: 55,000 miles; Complaint #12: 17,930 miles; Complaint #22: unknown mileage; Complaint #24: unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke inside cabin after engine shut off; Flames and smoke from under steering wheel; Flames visible on driver side of cabin; Fire spreads rapidly requiring fire department intervention; Electrical fire detected near battery and firewall on driver side; Vehicle lost power on freeway then caught fire within minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled; one vehicle not inspected by manufacturer; fire extinguishers ineffective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed in complaint #4 and stated failure was a 'thermal event' but did not inspect vehicle or provide assistance
Seat Heater Fire
Front driver side seat heater catches fire while in use, causing burns to occupant. Fire extinguished with water bottles by owner.
When: 55,000 miles; after approximately 30 minutes of seat heater use
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver side seat heater ignites while parked; Flames from seat heater; Owner sustained superficial burns and breathing difficulties
Repairs/costs cited: Owner extinguished with water; no dealer diagnosis or repair performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not informed; no recalls or TSBs mentioned
Infotainment Head Unit Crashes on Microsoft Teams Calls
Infotainment system head unit reboots or crashes when Microsoft Teams calls are answered or initiated via CarPlay. Crash occurs from day one of ownership and is universal across this Nissan head unit series. Renault partner company fixed identical issue via over-the-air update.
When: From day one of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Head unit crashes when MS Teams call answered via CarPlay; Head unit crashes when MS Teams call initiated via CarPlay; Navigation lost during head unit reboot; Requires driver to unplug phone to avoid crash; Distracting to driver, causes attention loss; Risk of lane deviation and traffic signal violations
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and Nissan corporate notified and ignored problem; Microsoft and Apple diagnostics confirm firmware at fault; Renault corrected with OTA update
Blind Spot Warning System Malfunction
Blind spot radar warning system does not function or becomes intermittently non-functional. Nissan claims system requires spotless vehicle exterior or radar cannot function. System fails to work even after vehicle washing. Problems begin early in vehicle ownership with very low mileage.
When: Late November 2019 with only 500 miles on vehicle (complaint #3); early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot warning radar not available message; Blind spot detector will not work after 4 months; Radar blocked due to side obstruction messages; Intermittent blind spot monitoring system failures; System appears sensitive to dirt/snow despite cleaning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle washed; system still non-functional; required multiple dealer visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan claims car must be spotless to function; claims safety features won't work in snow or when temperature below freezing
Electronic Brake System (EBS) Warning Light Malfunction
EBS warning lights activate intermittently and persistently, particularly when outdoor temperature drops below freezing. Lights continue to come on despite manufacturer claims about cleanliness and weather conditions.
When: Late November 2019 onward; temperature-dependent; occurs with 500 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: EBS warning lights come on most of the time when temperature drops below freezing; EBS warning goes off when stopped and when driving randomly; Warning stays off when temperature above freezing but lights return in cold; Flashing warnings on instrument panel distract driver
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan claims safety features won't work properly in snow or freezing temperatures
Backup Camera Malfunction
Backup camera freezes, glitches, or displays garbled image resembling bad TV reception. Issue persists and becomes permanent, leaving camera non-functional as a safety feature.
When: Since May; now permanent as of complaint date
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera froze and keeps glitching; Camera glitches 5+ times; Backup camera image garbled like bad TV reception; Camera stuck in glitched state during backup operation
Windshield Wiper Fluid Reservoir Sensor Malfunction
Wiper fluid level sensor activates warning light even when reservoir is completely full. Common problem across Nissan Altimas that company has not addressed. Owners disable or ignore warning, defeating the safety feature.
When: Unknown timing
Symptoms owners cite: Warning light illuminates when reservoir is full; Distracting warning light to driver; Owners eventually ignore warning light or disconnect sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Common solutions per owners: ignoring warning light or disconnecting sensor
Brake Switch Failure
Brake light switch becomes loose, breaking electrical connection and causing brake pedal to become very hard to press. Brake lights remain on continuously when switch loose.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; 2020 model year too new for normal wear
Symptoms owners cite: Brake switch comes loose; Difficult to start car when pressing brake down; Electrical connection lost when switch loose; Brake pedal very hard to press when switch loose; Brake lights remain on and won't turn off
Repairs/costs cited: Appears to be faulty part, not wear and tear
Audio System Volume Control Malfunction
Volume control knob is hypersensitive, turning volume to maximum when owner attempts to reduce it. Volume also randomly turns to maximum or turns off without driver input.
When: Unknown timing
Symptoms owners cite: Volume knob very touchy; Turns volume all the way up when attempting to turn down; Volume randomly turns to maximum; Volume randomly turns off
Lane Keeping Assist Interference / Malfunction
Lane keeping assistance system fights driver for control while cruise control is engaged, even when vehicles are too close. System appears unable to detect nearby traffic while fighting for steering control.
When: Unknown timing
Symptoms owners cite: Lane keeping assistant fights driver for control during cruise control operation; System does not detect vehicles too close to owned vehicle; Creates hazard when attempting to avoid vehicles drifting into lane
Engine Power Loss / Transmission Hesitation and Surging
Engine loses power suddenly while driving at highway speeds with no warning, causing drastic deceleration and requiring restart. Vehicle also experiences hesitation, surging, and aggressive RPM jumps on startup. Transmission appears to be forced to accelerate.
When: Random; complaint #13 at 70 mph; complaint #20 around 13k-20k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle randomly de-accelerates from 70 to 34 mph without driver input; Engine stall message appears; Engine malfunction warning with power reduced message; Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle will not allow acceleration when power loss occurs; Vehicle accelerates abruptly after restart; Car hesitates at times or gets sudden burst of speed; Lurch when car first starts; Aggressive RPM jump and drop on startup; Transmission forced to accelerate
Codes mentioned: Engine malfunction, Power reduced
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan unable to replicate issue for diagnosis
Battery Failure
Battery becomes completely dead, requiring jump-start to operate vehicle.
When: 21,171 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lost motive power while driving at 40 mph; Key fob not available message displayed; No warning light illuminated prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced at dealer
Key System Error / Immobilizer Malfunction
Vehicle displays key system error randomly, preventing engine start. Error occurs at random intervals and occasionally while driving, potentially causing loss of control or inability to turn vehicle off.
When: Started a few months prior to complaint; random occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Key system error message appears at random; Car won't start when key system error appears; Error appears while driving; Potential loss of control if error occurs while driving; Potential inability to turn vehicle off if error occurs while driving
Vehicle Alarm Malfunction
Vehicle alarm sounds persistently without cause after parking and shutting off engine.
When: Unknown timing; 25 minutes after parking
Symptoms owners cite: Alarm sounded persistently after parking and engine shutdown; Alarm triggered without any security breach or cause
Wiper Spray System Malfunction
Windshield wipers do not spray water effectively on windows despite fluid being present.
When: Around 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers not spraying windows well; Reduced wiper spray effectiveness
Fuel Gauge Malfunction
Fuel gauge reading becomes inaccurate, displaying incorrect fuel level.
When: Unknown timing
Symptoms owners cite: Gas gauge starts to read wrong
Odometer Mileage Fraud
Vehicle mileage significantly increased between time of purchase and first dealer service visit, indicating possible odometer tampering or rollback.
When: Discovered between purchase and first dealer diagnostic visit
Symptoms owners cite: Mileage discrepancy: 10,976 miles at purchase, 113,000 miles at dealer diagnostic
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was dealer sale
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
3 out of 4 of my doors have to be locked and unlocked by hand instead of using my Nissan key button to unlock my car. 3 of the motors are bad or it's some kind of electrical issue that goggle says is common in 2019 to 2020 Nissan Altimas. I feel like I shouldn't have to pay out of pocket myself to get this fixed if it's a noted common issue on goggle.
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…
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.…
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2020 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 35 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 35 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 51,461 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.