2020 Nissan Altima: fire, smoke or burning smell

6 of the 162 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Altima describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 58 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2024
2
2023
1
2022
2
2020
6
2019
3
2017
7
2016
7
2015
8
2014
6
2013
18
2012
4
2011
6
2010
10
2009
7
2008
11
2007
21
2006
18
2005
14
2004
1
2003
16
2002
38
2001
3
2000
3
1999
1
1998
2
1997
1
1996
3
1995
2
1994
1
1993
4

What owners say

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Engine · TN

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 later driven to the dealer, where it was test-driven. The dealer informed the contact that there was smoke coming from the vehicle, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 12, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IL · fire

Vehicle caught on fire while inside home @ 4:00am cst. Fire department and police department were at the scene as well. Fire department was forced to pry open the trunk to stop fire from spreading. Police gave police report at the scene due to the incident. State Farm is involved as well as the investigation team currently. State Farm insurance informed me to provide this information.

Filed Jun 6, 2023 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · NY · fire · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill in a parking lot and using the seat heater for approximately 30 minutes, the front driverside seat heater caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire with bottles of water he had available. The contact sustained superficial burns on his lower back and continues to have trouble breathing but hasn't sought medical attention. The contact drove to the nearest fire department but was under construction and was unable to file any fire report. The contact also stated later on that day he drove to a police department and filed a police report. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 5, 2023 · MO · fire · 1 injury

Caught on fire, burst into flames within minutes of seeing smoke. My son barely got out before it blew up. His dog in the backseat unfortunately didn’t make it out. Would like investigation on what could have caused this. Before someone else loses theryre life

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA · fire

Driving on the freeway car started losing power, pulled over and then caught fire in matter of minutes the whole car was engulfed in flames. Fire department said it was an electrical fire near the battery and the fire wall on the driver side.

Filed Jun 6, 2022 · Electrical · CA · fire

Driving car on the freeway and car lost power. Turned the car off and checked all the fluids to make sure they were at proper levels and found no issue. Started car back up and then started smoking, open the hood and an electric fire had started, tried putting out with a fire extinguisher and it did nothing 2 min later the whole car was in flames.