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2020 Nissan Maxima problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Nissan Maxima is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical Maxima model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
83/100
Owner complaints
22
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
100
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
24mpg

The worst 2020 Nissan Maxima problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    5
  • Driver assistance
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Transmission
    3
  • Airbags
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    5
  • Driver assistance
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Transmission
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Locks
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 1

Visibility: glass, side/rearReported September 22, 2020 · 150 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
Risk
Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.

Recall number 20V570000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Maxima

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Nissan Maxima 100

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 100 bulletins for the 2020 Nissan Maxima

2020 Nissan Maxima fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD203024

What 2020 Nissan Maxima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · 23,000 miles · GA · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to park and turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into park, the STOP button failed to respond, and the vehicle suddenly accelerated, crashed into a tree in the median strip, knocked down three poles, and the brake pedal was depressed but became unresponsive. The vehicle continued driving and crashed into a sign pole and came to a stop. The contact stated that a tire also exploded during the crash. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact and her husband sustained injuries during the crash. The contact’s husband sustained a fractured left shoulder and had since developed balance issues. The contact sustained balance issues and weakness in the body. Medical attention was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

Filed May 29, 2026 · Engine · MD

2020 Nissan Maxima SR is experiencing CVT transmission issues that appear substantially similar to the defects described in the Nissan CVT Martinez Class Action involving prior Nissan model years.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 106,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle jerked before stalling in the middle of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The Police were called to block traffic. The vehicle was towed. The tow truck driver had issues while attempting to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start. The contact would turn on the engine, and several minutes later, the vehicle stalled. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. It was unknown if the contact's husband had replaced the battery. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the vehicle warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Driver assistance · TX

When I start driving the front collision light comes on and off and then they'll stay on

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Steering · TX

Nissan dealership said the front control arms are cracking and recommended having them replaced.

Filed Aug 31, 2024 · Driver assistance · NH

Forward collision warning turns on about 20 seconds after the car starts. There was no accident or obstructions to the sensors, this apperas to just be equipment failure on a car with only 30k miles on it.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · NC

The sunroof inexplicably blew out while driving on a 3-lane interstate normally taken to work every day in the morning, windows were up. This movable portion of the sunroof is part of the panoramic sun roof. The sun shade was open, it is normally left open. Some small pieces of the glass fell onto me and seats but most was sucked up and away from the car. Thankfully, no glass hit me in the face and no cars were around me. I have rear cam footage of the glass flying out behind the car. Front footage shows nothing hit the car, no one was near enough to suspect otherwise. A picture is attached of what is left.

Filed Apr 18, 2024 · Driver assistance · NC

When I start driving, sometimes I randomly see Key System Error and DAS Malfunction. All other warnings such as emergency brake, traction control, blind spot detection light up. Engine RPM meter keeps going to 0 and back and forth (see video in the link below). When this happens, driver assistance features like forward collision warning, blind spot warning and lane departure warning stops working. Sometimes, I cannot turn off the engine by pressing the Stop Engine button. I have to hold the button for about 5 seconds to stop the engine. Sometimes there's a Chasis Control System error (Attached a picture from last year). This started happening about a year ago and has occurred at least a dozen times so far. I have taken this to different dealerships, and none have been able to identify the issue. I haven't had any accidents on collisions on this vehicle. Please see link below for a video of the behavior. You can see different warnings coming on and off in the video. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Locks · 84,214 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and changing lanes, the hood unlatched, flew open and struck the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,214.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Body · WI

Was getting into the car. As we closed the doors, we heard the sunroof shatter. the edges of the broken glass were pushed up as if the air pressure inside the car broke the glass. If the inside cover was open, we would have been showered in glass. The manufacturer inspected and replaced the glass.

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Compare the 2020 Nissan Maxima

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2020 Nissan Maxima

Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Maxima, fewer than a typical Maxima model year.

What is the 2020 Nissan Maxima year score?

The 2020 Nissan Maxima scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Maxima: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Nissan Maxima?

Brakes, with 5 complaints. Next is driver assistance (5).

How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Maxima have?

1 recall, covering visibility.

What year does the Nissan Maxima have bad brakes?

The Nissan Maxima model years with the most brakes complaints are 2004 (72 complaints), 2006 (59 complaints) and 2000 (33 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2020 Nissan Maxima get?

Official estimates for the 2020 Nissan Maxima range from 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 30 highway.

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