YearToAvoid

2020 Nissan Maxima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2020 Nissan Maxima has a complaint index of 39, ranking 12th out of 19 model years, and earns a 'Good' verdict relative to other Maxima years. It has one recall (rear window glass) and 22 total complaints, with Structure & Body and Brakes as the top problem areas.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
39/100
#12 of 19 Maxima years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
22
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Top issue
Structure & Body
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
20 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2020 Nissan Maxima problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body6 (27%)
  2. Brakes5 (23%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (23%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (14%)
  5. Airbags2 (9%)
  6. Electrical System2 (9%)
  7. Engine2 (9%)
  8. Other2 (9%)
  9. Fuel System1 (5%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Automatic Emergency Braking and collision sensor systems triggered unexpected braking or sudden false alerts while reversing or parking, sometimes accompanied by buzzing sounds.
  • Owners describe the vehicle losing motive power at highway speed while Automatic Emergency Braking, Slip, and Rear Automatic Braking warning lights illuminated simultaneously.
  • Windshields reportedly cracked with no point of impact, described as stress fractures spreading outward from the frame.
  • The emergency parking brake light, rear brake light, and traction control light came on together, along with a temporary loss of power, especially after heavy rain.
  • One owner reported the gear shifter failed to move into park and the brake pedal became unresponsive during a low-speed parking maneuver, resulting in a crash.
  • An airbag deployed forcefully during a low-speed collision, breaking the windshield and causing injury.
2020 Nissan Maxima complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2020Dec 2020Aug 2021Nov 2022Mar 2024Feb 2025May 2026
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2024 (3).

2020 Nissan Maxima recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V570000Sep 22, 2020Visibility & Wipers150 vehicles

    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.

    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.

2020 Nissan Maxima fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Maxima years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution2836225
2019Best2218124
2020Good3922124
2021No verdict63024
2022Best175024

All Nissan Maxima years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Relative to other Maxima model years, the 2020 rates 'Good' with a complaint index of 39, ranking 12th out of 19 years tracked. It has fewer complaints than most Maxima years, with 22 total complaints filed.
What problems does the 2020 Nissan Maxima have?
NHTSA complaints point to Structure & Body issues (27% of complaints, including windshield cracking), Brakes (23%, including unexpected automatic braking), and Collision Avoidance & Cameras (23%).
Does the 2020 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 20V570000) covering rear window glass that may not stay properly secured to the vehicle. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 Maxima compare to other years?
The 2020 model year ranks 12th worst out of 19 years by complaint index, well below the worst years like 2005 (index 100) and 2006 (index 89), and behind the top-rated 2019 and 2022 model years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Nissan Maxima?
EPA rates the 2020 Maxima at 24 mpg combined (20 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.