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P0420 on NISSAN ALTIMA

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
3
Most Affected
2005

What P0420 Means on Your NISSAN ALTIMA

Real NISSAN ALTIMA Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"I already went though p0420 issue few years back and i got it again. nissan dealer charged me whole lotta money to fix the issue and the warning sign came back again. went to local auto zone and it show p0420 again. please help."

— 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA owner • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM • Filed 11/25/2012

"This year i am required to obtain a smog test for my 2005 nissan altima tha i purchased used from power volvo in california. my car is throwing off a p0420 code which requires a replacement to the pre-catalytic converter."

— 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING • Filed 09/29/2011

"Car arbitrarily stalled and cut off at low speeds and began to also jerk intermittently as if attempting to shut down while traveling at highway speeds...easily this could lend to a collision!!! service engine soon indicator illuminated on dash and has remained lit."

— 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING • Filed 02/18/2009

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0420 on NISSAN ALTIMA

66.7%
33.3%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2005
3

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0420 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026