Sell your 2020 Nissan Altima for cash

The 2020 Nissan Altima is a midsize car that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl engines. Even at 6 years old, a damaged or broken-down one still has real value for its parts. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2020 Nissan Altima at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl (turbocharged versions available)
TransmissionsAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy25–28 city / 34–39 highway / 29–32 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,100–$2,300 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂278–311 grams per mile
EPA fuel economy score6–7 out of 10
EPA greenhouse gas score6–7 out of 10
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,329 lb
Versions tested by EPA5 configurations: Altima, Altima SR/Platinum, Altima AWD, Altima AWD SR/Platinum
Age6 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 6 years old, a 2020 Altima is newer than most junk cars, so working parts like the engine, transmission and body panels are in demand from rebuilders and parts buyers.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2020 Altima weighed 3,329 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Altima. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the electrical system, typically around 14,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2020 Nissan Altima recalls

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 2020 Nissan Altima. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Engine and Engine CoolingJun 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V437000

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.

Risk: 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.

Back Over PreventionSep 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V628000

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."

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

TiresMar 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V169000

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.

Risk: 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.

SteeringMar 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V138000

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.

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

TiresNov 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V685000

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.

Risk: 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.

VisibilitySep 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V570000

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.

Common 2020 Altima problems

Owners have filed 158 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Altima with NHTSA. 15 reports involved a crash and 5 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 13 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Electrical System37
  • Unknown or Other35
  • Engine33
  • Forward Collision Avoidance19
  • Service Brakes17
  • Power Train16

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Electrical System14,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other1,000 mi
  • Engine14,000 mi
  • Forward Collision Avoidance2,000 mi
  • Service Brakes3,000 mi
  • Power Train14,000 mi

2020 Nissan Altima crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Nissan Altima, by version tested.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★9.2%
4 Dr, FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★9.2%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2020 Nissan Altima service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 146 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2020 Nissan Altima. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System52
  • Power Train24
  • Engine and Engine Cooling7
  • Service Brakes5
  • Equipment4
  • Equipment4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2026 · NTB09-131C

    CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement "Certification Label" or "VIN Plate/L

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2026 · NTB09-131C

    CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement "Certification Label" or "VIN Plate/L

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2026 · NTB15-049CC

    TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 4G network compatible TCU. TCUs compatible with 3G network only are no longer suppo

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2026 · NTB26-003

    FALSE ACTIVATION OF AEB OR FCW IF YOU CONFIRM The customer states they have experienced false activation and/or unexpected braking of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2020 Nissan Altima.

Engine and Engine CoolingPE23023 · opened Dec 2023, closed Jul 2025Led to recall 25V437

Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure

On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles. At that time, ODI had received 6 Vehicle Owner Que

Latches/Locks/LinkagesAQ22003 · opened Dec 2022, open

Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the r

Other Nissan Altima years

‹ Sell a 2019 Altima · All Nissan Altima years

Other 2020 Nissan models

Selling a 2020 Altima: questions

How much is a 2020 Nissan Altima worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2020 Altima that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2020 Altimas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2020 Altima with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Altima; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2020 Altima?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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