Need a new engine / gasket confirmed by pep boys. Been at the dealership a lot more than usual lately and they kept telling me everything is fine with my vehicle
2020 Nissan Altima engine problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2020 Nissan Altima has serious engine reliability issues ranging from catastrophic failure (stalls, cracked heads) to persistent electrical/sensor problems that dealerships struggle to diagnose. Owners report Nissan invoking recall technicalities to deny coverage, so verify your VIN against NHTSA Campaign 25V437000 independently before buying.
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima are reporting multiple severe engine problems. The most critical are sudden stalls at highway speeds followed by loud engine knock on restart, some accompanied by smoke—requiring engine replacement. One owner at 32,000 miles had a dealership initiate an engine swap under NHTSA Campaign 25V437000, only for Nissan corporate to deny coverage. Another reports a cracked cylinder head developing without the engine overheating according to the gauge; a dealership noted several other 2020 Altimas had the same recent failure.
In cold weather below 0°F, some cars enter limp mode instantly with all warning lights flashing, dropping to 5–15 mph with no advance notice—a highway safety hazard. Dealerships reset the computer but cannot reproduce the fault during diagnosis.
Owners also describe persistent "Engine Malfunction Power Reduced Service Now" messages that cause power loss, disappear after restart, then return repeatedly with no diagnostic code found. One owner had solenoid valve timing control replaced twice within six months, only for the check engine light to return for the same issue. Some experience unexplained coolant loss and engine noise that dealerships want to address with full engine replacement.
Many complaints mention Nissan denying recall coverage or parts being unavailable, leaving owners stranded with unresolved failures.
Same Nissan Altima engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stall and knockdown
Engine stalls suddenly while driving, often at highway speeds. Upon restart, engine knocks significantly. In one case, dealer noted smoke from the engine. Related to NHTSA Campaign 25V437000.
When: Unknown mileage in one case; another at 32,000 miles at onset
Symptoms owners cite: sudden stall while driving; loud engine knock after restart; smoke from engine; no warning light before stall
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended engine replacement in at least two cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued; however, one dealer denied coverage citing recall requirements not met at 32,000 miles; parts unavailable for others
Cracked cylinder head
Engine develops overheating issues without temperature gauge climbing into red zone. Dealer diagnosed cracked cylinder head. Owner reports dealer indicated multiple other 2020 Altimas in recent weeks had same issue. Not covered under recall per owner.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: overheating issues; engine never entered overheated zone on gauge
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner told recall did not apply to their vehicle
Limp mode activation in cold weather
Vehicle enters limp mode (all engine warning lights flash) instantly with no prior warning, dropping speed to 5–15 mph and causing jerking. Occurs specifically in cold weather below 0°F when snowing. Creates hazard on highways. At 18,000 miles.
When: 18,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: all engine warning lights flash simultaneously; sudden speed reduction to 5–15 mph; jerking sensation; limp mode activation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer resets computer each time but cannot duplicate failure during service visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Three complaints filed with Nissan consumer care; issue unresolved
Engine stall while parked and while driving
Engine stalls while vehicle in park, then recurs while driving at undisclosed speed. Owner able to restart and drive to destination. Dealer unable to duplicate failure on multiple visits.
When: 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: stall in park; stall while driving; ability to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose or repair; no work performed
Engine noise and coolant loss
Strange noises from engine with unexplained coolant loss not visible on ground. Coolant overfills in reservoir and leaks out. Ongoing since August 2024. Dealer recommended full engine replacement but owner declined. Issue persists.
When: August 2024 onward
Symptoms owners cite: strange engine noises; coolant loss without visible leak; coolant overfilling reservoir
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended full engine replacement
Engine malfunction power reduced message
Check engine light and 'Engine Malfunction Power Reduced Service Now' message appears while driving, causing loss of power. Message clears when vehicle shut off and restarted. Recurs multiple times. No diagnostic codes found on scan.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: engine malfunction power reduced service now message; loss of power; check engine light; rough shifting and rough running
Codes mentioned: P0101
Repairs/costs cited: P0101 code addressed but malfunction message returns intermittently
Solenoid valve timing control repeated failure
Check engine light comes on repeatedly. Solenoid valve timing control replaced twice, but engine light returns for same issue within 6 months of ownership.
When: Within 6 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light constantly on; repeated solenoid valve timing control failure
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid valve timing control replaced twice
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the expressway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the engine started knocking significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to slowly pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was…
Unknown. The engine started have overheating issues but never was ran in the overheated zone. We took the car to the dealer and was told the head was cracked. We questioned how that was possible if we never ran it in the overheated zone. We were told they did not know but that several other Customers in the last few weeks have had the same issue. Then we heard about the recall but was told our…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2020 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 60,104 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.