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2020 Nissan Maxima

Gas
Midsize Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA21
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA24 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car. The most efficient version, the Maxima, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 21 complaints, most often about the forward collision avoidance. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MaximaGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl203024$3,250

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41914.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Nissan Maxima is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Visibility

PC752
150 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskRear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.FixNissan 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V570000reported Sep 22, 2020Nissan North America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
21complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 3 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance6
Structure4
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Back Over Prevention2
Service Brakes2
Electrical System2

What owners describe

“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.”May 29, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“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 driv…”Aug 25, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“When I start driving the front collision light comes on and off and then they'll stay on”May 28, 2025 · Forward Collision Avoidance · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Other Maxima model years

A

2023 Nissan Maxima

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2022 Nissan Maxima

0 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2021 Nissan Maxima

0 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2019 Nissan Maxima

1 recalls · 18 complaints

B

2018 Nissan Maxima

2 recalls · 36 complaints

F

2017 Nissan Maxima

4 recalls · 103 complaints

F

2016 Nissan Maxima

8 recalls · 142 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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