2020 Nissan Altima: jerking or lurching

8 of the 162 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Altima describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 27 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2023
2
2022
1
2021
1
2020
8
2019
10
2018
7
2017
25
2016
52
2015
31
2014
41
2013
102
2012
13
2011
16
2010
13
2009
9
2008
13
2007
17
2006
31
2005
31
2004
8
2003
22
2002
16
2001
4
2000
6
1998
2
1997
1
1996
3
1993
2

What owners say

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · LA

The components and systems experiencing problems in my 2020 Nissan Altima S 2.5L include the engine, throttle body, and mass airflow (MAF) sensor system. The vehicle has experienced severe engine performance issues, including excessive fuel consumption, jerking, hesitation during acceleration, reduced engine power, and unexpected limp mode. The safety of myself and others were put at risk because the car did not accelerate anymore in the middle of on going traffic. It was me and my 2 underaged children in the car. Yes it has been confirmed by an independent service center. Yes, insurance representatives and others including mechanics. Check engine light appeared

Filed May 12, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · AZ

The car stalls and began to jerk then shuts down the crash symbols comes on and goes off.

Filed May 4, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL · crash

The CVT issue remains with this car even though I have complained. The car will randomly de accelerate and randomly accelerate which has cause minor fender bender. The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone is seriously injured from the known CVT issues.

Filed Sep 6, 2025 · Transmission · IL

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.

Filed Feb 26, 2024 · Engine, Suspension · TX

My 2020 Nissan Altima is having issues with the transmission . When you accelerate the engine Jerks, Vibrates , Shutters. It hesitates even when stopping acts like it doesn’t want to shift into another gear . My Tires are always loosing air as well . The Front of my car is always making a sound think suspension issues .

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Engine · MO

Vehicle goes into limp mode (shows all engine warring signs flashing ) and my speed goes down to 5-15 miles. This happens instantly and my car will jerk and basically stop where it is at. This is happening when the temp. is below 0 and it is snowing. There is no warring or time to get out of the way of traffic and on the hwy cars are coming up on you. Someone can hit you from behind instantly when this happens. My vehicle has been towed twice to the dealer and i have filed 3 complaints with NIssan consumer care but this is not resolved. All they can do is reset the computer each time. The dealer tells me this is happening all the time but they can not get it do duplicate when they have it . I have 18K miles and this has happened 3 times in total.

Filed Aug 13, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Transmissions seem to jerk a lot when slowing down and picking up speed again, also all 4 door locks have gave out being unable to lock or unlock the doors using the bottom or key, this is a hazard especially if you have children sitting in the back seats

Filed May 7, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

First, the chip has started to malfunction around 13k miles. Secondly, there is a lurch when the car first starts and an aggressive RPM jump and then drop, it begins to run fine upon warming up alittle. Now, at 20k miles the car is having issues with the wipers not spraying the windows well and the rear passenger door has to be locked manually from the interior.