2020 Nissan Altima maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.5L DOHC naturally aspirated 4-cylinder (188 hp) or 2.0L VC-Turbo variable compression turbocharged 4-cylinder (248 hp — SR, SL, Platinum VC-Turbo trims)SSRSVMSRP $24,300

⚠ 6 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

Why it matters: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

Reported 04/03/2021 · Campaign #21V138000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

TIRES

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Why it matters: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.

Reported 11/03/2021 · Campaign #21V169000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

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.

Why it matters: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

Reported 22/09/2020 · Campaign #20V570000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

TIRES

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.

Why it matters: Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8677669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC765.

Reported 05/11/2020 · Campaign #20V685000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Why it matters: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.

Reported 08/09/2023 · Campaign #23V628000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.

Why it matters: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

The fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

Reported 27/06/2025 · Campaign #25V437000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (Nissan-approved; 5W-30 is NOT approved for 2020 Altima; 2.0L VC-Turbo also requires 0W-20 full synthetic — do not use conventional oil in the VC-Turbo engine) Inspect tire pressure Inspect all fluid levels
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors Inspect cabin air filter Inspect windshield wipers Inspect all exterior lights
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — iridium long-life (do not replace at 30k; factory interval 105,000 mi for 2.5L; inspect only) Inspect CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid (Xtronic CVT; inspect color and level; normal is light red/pink — dark brown or burnt smell requires immediate service; NEVER use generic ATF or aftermarket CVT fluid in Nissan Xtronic) Inspect brake fluid — DOT 3; replace if contaminated Inspect battery and charging system Inspect fuel filter (integrated in tank — inspect for fuel trim codes P0171/P0174)	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 Xtronic CVT fluid (Nissan factory severe-duty schedule: every 60k for towing, stop-and-go, hot climate, or short-trip driving; normal schedule: inspect at 60k and replace by 120k — however most Nissan technicians strongly recommend 60k replacement to prevent premature CVT failure; the CVT cooler should be inspected for leaks and blockage at this interval) Inspect spark plugs — iridium (2.5L: factory change at 105k; 2.0L VC-Turbo: inspect at 60k — the variable compression mechanism places higher stress on plugs) Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 flush Inspect coolant — Nissan Long Life Coolant (blue or green; first change at 105k/10 years; inspect at 60k for contamination) Inspect AWD rear differential fluid (AWD models — GL-5 75W-90 synthetic; inspect level and condition) Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 2.5L iridium (factory 105k; replace at 90k preventively); 2.0L VC-Turbo: replace at 90k due to higher combustion stress from variable compression ratio cycling Replace CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 (second service if replaced at 60k; first service if skipped) Replace AWD rear differential fluid (AWD models — 75W-90 synthetic GL-5) Inspect serpentine belt — replace if any cracking or glazing observed Inspect all coolant hoses for softness, swelling, or cracking Inspect brake lines for corrosion (rust-belt markets especially) Inspect wheel bearings — sealed hub assemblies on 2020 Altima Inspect engine and transmission mounts	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — 2.5L iridium second set (if first replaced at 90k); 2.0L VC-Turbo second set Replace CVT fluid — Nissan NS-3 (third service cycle; CVT fluid condition is critical past 100k — fluid degradation accelerates clutch pack wear in the Jatco JF017E/JF018E units used in the 2020 Altima) Replace coolant — Nissan Long Life Coolant flush and refill Replace serpentine drive belt Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 full flush Replace AWD rear differential fluid (AWD models) Full brake inspection: pads, rotors, calipers, parking brake cables Inspect EVAP system and fuel cap seal Inspect CV axle boots and joints front and rear (FWD and AWD)	View →

Upgrading your Altima's wheels?

See verified wheel fitments for the 2020 Nissan Altima — bolt pattern, hub bore, and offset all checked.

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.