2020 Nissan Maxima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2020 Nissan Maxima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 20 complaints, with Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB as the top reported area.
2020 Nissan Maxima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2020 Nissan Maxima.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2020 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2020 Nissan Maxima has 20 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Maxima
- Model year
- 2020
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 20
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 30
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2020 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Structural Problems
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB, Structural Problems, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2020 Nissan Maxima?
The 2020 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2020 Nissan Maxima
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB system for proper operation.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially brakes and structural areas.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB system for proper operation.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components, especially brakes and structural areas.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2020 Nissan Maxima, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
NHTSA complaint data for the 2020 Nissan Maxima shows a low number of reports (20 total) with a single recall. Complaints are concentrated in the Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB and Structural Problems categories, each with 4 reports. Crash-related complaints are minimal (2), and the overall confidence level is low due to the small sample size.
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB and Structural Problems each account for 4 complaints, the highest among reported components.
- Brake System complaints total 3, making it the third most reported component.
- Only 2 crash-related complaints were reported out of 20 total.
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
- Structural Problems
- Brake System
All 2020 Nissan Maxima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Nissan Maxima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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. T…
When I start driving the front collision light comes on and off and then they'll stay on
Nissan dealership said the front control arms are cracking and recommended having them replaced.
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.
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 …
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,…
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…
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 a…
My transmission is bad.
1-Clips that secure the front grill and font quarter panels have broken for no apparent reason. 2-Body parts can fall off during driving if not repaired 3-Inspected at dealership 4-No warnings - the front camera looked "cloudy" because it had fallen when the grill clips broke an…
Was at a four way stop. Other driver pulled out in front of me and I tried to not hit their vehicle but couldn’t avoid it. I was going around 15 miles per hour. The air bag discharged so hard it broke my windshield and injured my head, neck and lower back.
The front passenger side A-pillar molding flew off while driving in windy weather. This piece could have hit another vehicle and impeded their vision while driving. The molding was not otherwise compromised.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the collision sensor system on the vehicle was malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to brake on its own while reversing in parallel parking. The contact stated the vehicle would always make buzzing sounds while parking. The…
While driving 2020 Nissan Maxima Sv the emergency park brake light up and rear brake light up and traction control light up on dash and it act like it looses power and when you go to settings on sonar it big green light in front of car And check engine light came on
My emergency brake comes on any time I drive after a heavy rain.. it starts to illuminate vaguely,then eventually the brake light will come on and then eventually it’ll start indicating to pull over. The first time I was in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. Was able to push do…
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, the vehicle lost motive power, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System, Slip indicator, and Rear Automatic Braking warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the d…
WINDSHIELD CRACKS RANDOMLY WITH NO POINT OF IMPACT. FRAYS OUTWARD. SEEMS TO BE STRESS FRACTURE FROM THE FRAME. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH 2020 NISSANS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN FLASHING RED AND THE VEHICLE FORCEFULLY BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEARBY AND A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE…
2020 NISSAN MAXIMA SR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS GAS CAP DOOR LOCK FUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WOULD NEED A SYSTEM UPGRADE DO TO POOR VISIBILITY. *JS
NISSAN IN THE 2020 MAXIMA MODELS REMOVED THE LOCKING FEATURE OF THE GAS CAP DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR POSSIBLE VANDALISM TO THE VEHICLE A PERSONAL SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IS A KEYED LOCKING CAP IS INSTALLED THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TO FUMBLE THROUGH UNLOCKING THE CAP IN ORDER T…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2020 Nissan Maxima.
2020 Nissan Maxima Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2020 Nissan Maxima. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2020 Nissan Maxima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2020 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 20 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2020 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (4 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (4 complaints). #3: Brake System (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2020 Nissan Maxima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2020 Nissan Maxima, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 20 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2020 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2020 Nissan Maxima. A major recall area is VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2020 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2020 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2020 Nissan Maxima based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.