NissanMaxima2020Overview/nissan/maxima/2020/base/

2020 Nissan Maxima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Maxima.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, with its 5.1-quart oil capacity and recommended 0W-20 viscosity, achieves EPA ratings of 20 city, 30 highway, and 24 combined mpg through its automatic AV-S7 transmission. With 21 total owner complaints and one recall, this model year sits between the highest complaint year of 2004 (1,425 complaints) and the lowest of 2015 (1 complaint), placing it in a relatively moderate position within the model’s reliability history.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/40R19 94WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3587 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Maxima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2020 Platinum Reserve
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Platinum Reserve 3.5L V66.00 sec14.60 sec300 hpFWD
2019Platinum 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2017Platinum 3.5L V65.70 sec14.20 sec300 hpFWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V65.70 sec14.20 sec300 hpFWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V65.90 sec14.40 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V66.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan NS-3 CVT Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantNissan Blue Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.75 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt
Power Steering FluidNissan E-PSF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs61.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug TypeFXE24HR11
Spark Plug Gap.043 - .053 in
Spark Plug Torque14 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.103 - 1.213 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND-8
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number47

Service checks

RPM51.0
Residual Pressure51.0 PSI is approximate. psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 32.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 107.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 62.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .551
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.811

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 7-1017 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0-15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°14–15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
132.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 84-90°32 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
172.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: In Reverse order loosen all bolts. Step 3: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 103°, Step 5: 103°72 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-28.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miKeyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima sits near the low end of a steep downward trend in federal filings that began after the 2016 high of 142 complaints, 8 recalls, and 277 TSBs. By 2020, complaints had fallen to 21 with just 1 recall and 99 TSBs, continuing the decline from 2019 (18 complaints, 1 recall, 130 TSBs) and remaining slightly above the even lower 2021 figures (3 complaints, 0 recalls, 95 TSBs). Relative to the 2016 peak, the 2020 model carries roughly one-seventh the complaints and one-eighth the recalls, placing it in the matured phase of this generation's cycle. Its leading complaint categories—Structure (3), Forward Collision Avoidance (2), Air Bags (2), and Engine (1)—are low in absolute volume, and the data records 2 crash-related and 0 fire complaints without specifying underlying causes. While 2021 and subsequent years show marginally cleaner federal records, 2020 still falls squarely within this generation's most stable period. Given its sharply reduced federal footprint compared with 2016 and its position in a sustained decline from that peak, 2020 is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
99
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
21
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure3
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Air Bags2
Engine1
Power Train,Electrical System1
Steering,Unknown Or Other1
Unknown Or Other1
Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V570000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 22/09/2020

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 99 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB15-049CC2026-03-30Electrical SystemTELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 4G…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Maxima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 Maxima take?

5.1 qt of Nissan 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Maxima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Maxima get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.