CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Nissan Altima powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Altima | 229 |
| 2017 Altima | 129 |
| 2018 Altima | 22 |
| 2019 Altima | 9 |
| 2020 Altima (this page) | 16 |
| 2021 Altima | 3 |
| 2024 Altima | 3 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FLUID 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 this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSFER 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 this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA âWRITEâ PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT 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 SERVICE PROCEDURE in this bulletin, beginning on page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2020 Nissan Altimas report a cluster of powertrain failures affecting transmission, engine, and electrical systems. The most common complaint is unpredictable loss of power while driving, sometimes on highways. The vehicle enters limp mode, stalls, or hesitates for 3-4 seconds before engaging—and a check engine light typically appears first with "Engine Malfunction" or "CVT Failure" warnings. One owner replaced the throttle body three times at $4,500 total with the exact same problem recurring. Another had a full transmission replacement required at 17,500 miles.
A distinct failure involves engine mount bolts breaking and the fractured mount cutting the nearby transmission wiring harness, causing an electrical short and total power loss.
Cold-weather acceleration issues are also reported, with poor RPM response and check engine lights in freezing temperatures. One owner faced a $6,000–$9,000 camshaft replacement at 42,000 miles. All-dashboard-lights failures that self-resolve after the vehicle sits, door lock failures, and transmission lurching also appear in the complaints.
Dealers have confirmed these issues are known but frequently decline repairs—some claiming they can't replicate problems (even with video evidence), others denying warranty coverage on technicalities. Nissan service departments acknowledge receiving multiple complaints of this type for this model year.
Same Nissan Altima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Limp Mode / Loss of Power
Vehicle enters limp mode with sudden, unpredictable loss of power while driving, sometimes on highways. Check engine light and 'Engine Malfunction' or 'CVT Failure' warning message appear before power loss. Dealers have confirmed the issue but some claim inability to replicate it consistently.
When: Intermittent, ranging from 7,000 miles to 111,000 miles; three years of reported incidents in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while accelerating; Vehicle enters limp mode, drastically reducing power output; Check engine light illuminates with 'Engine Malfunction' warning; CVT failure alert warning appears; Vehicle cannot maintain speed or accelerate normally; Dangerous on highways and during traffic
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (generic), CVT Failure Alert, Engine Malfunction Warning
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replaced three times in one case at approximately $4,500 total; issue recurred after each replacement. Full transmission replacement required in at least one case (vehicle out of service over one month).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused to assist with repairs in at least one case; dealer acknowledged CVT transmission issues are known. Nissan declined warranty coverage in one case citing mileage/time limits despite being within mileage warranty.
Engine Mount Failure with Harness Damage
Engine mount bolts broke, allowing the metal mount to cut and damage the powertrain wiring harness on the left side near the engine mount. This caused an electrical short to the transmission system, loss of power, and all dashboard lights illuminating simultaneously.
When: June 6th incident; vehicle had 7,000 miles on purchase (used), failure timing relative to purchase not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power during acceleration with no warning lights initially; Complete power loss within 24 hours; All dashboard lights illuminated at once; Vehicle would not restart; Electrical short to powertrain system
Codes mentioned: Transmission system communication failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer identified broken engine mount bolts and damaged wiring harness; repair was performed at dealership. Owner notes the harness damage created electrical short and potential fire hazard.
Delayed Acceleration and Transmission Hesitation
Vehicle exhibits 3-4 second acceleration delay from complete stop, with transmission lag before vehicle engages and moves forward. RPM rises but vehicle hesitates or stalls. Shuddering and vibration noted on initial engagement.
When: Various mileage ranges; one case at 17,500 miles (7,000 mile used purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed acceleration by 3-4 seconds after pressing accelerator; Transmission hesitation before engaging; Shaking and vibration during acceleration; Engine light and strange car behavior; RPM rises without corresponding vehicle movement; Vehicle shudders from complete stop; Jerky motion while driving
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: One case required new transmission at 17,500 miles on a vehicle purchased with 7,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers have confirmed issue and noted CVT transmission issues are known in this model/year; however, repairs have been denied under warranty in some cases.
Cold Weather Acceleration Issues
During cold temperatures, vehicle accelerates poorly with unusual engine RPM behavior. Check engine light and 'Service Now' message appear. Nissan service department confirmed multiple complaints of this type for this model year.
When: Cold temperature conditions (seasonal)
Symptoms owners cite: Poor acceleration in cold weather; Unusual engine RPM; Check engine light illuminates with 'Service Now' message; Slow engine response
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (cold weather related)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealer service department stated they have received multiple complaints of this nature for this model year.
Camshaft Failure
Check engine light illuminates and persists. Diagnostic testing identified camshaft failure requiring replacement. Repair cost estimates ranged from $6,000 to $9,000.
When: At 42,000 miles; 10 months outside manufacturer time warranty but within mileage warranty (18,000 miles remaining)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates and remains on after engine restarts
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (camshaft-related)
Repairs/costs cited: New camshaft required at cost of $6,000-$9,000 at 42,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denied all assistance for repair, citing vehicle was 10 months outside time warranty despite being 18,000 miles within mileage warranty.
Transmission Lurching / Forward Surge
Vehicle lurches forward unexpectedly, particularly when starting from rest or transitioning through gears. Jerky transmission behavior when slowing down and accelerating again.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward unpredictably; Jerky transmission motion when slowing and accelerating; Unpredictable transmission engagement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer could not duplicate failure in at least one case.
Complete Electrical System Failure / Dashboard Malfunction
Vehicle experiences complete or near-complete electrical failure with all dashboard lights illuminating, speedometer non-functional, and vehicle difficult to drive and steer. Issue resolves after vehicle sits and 'resets' itself.
When: After 10-minute parking period; recurring issue
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminate; Speedometer non-functional; Difficulty steering; Difficult to drive; Issue resets itself after vehicle sits for several days
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealer unable to duplicate issue after vehicle sat for 3 days before reset occurred.
Door Lock Failure
All four door locks became inoperable, unable to lock or unlock doors using interior or key fob controls.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: All four door locks non-functional; Doors cannot be locked or unlocked with button or key; Safety hazard with children in back seats
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Transmission went out at 145k miles
While driving my vehicle on the freeway, the car suddenly went into limp mode then a few seconds later, the Warning Light appeared showing CVT failure alert. The car has 111,000 miles. This should be an issue that Nissan need to be responsible 100%.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2020 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 28,159 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.