9.1
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $770
- Average Mileage:
- 84,200 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 92 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace headlight assembly (52 reports)
- not sure (39 reports)
- reemplazae bombillas por hid (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Nissan dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
It looks as though I do not have my headlights on when they are on low beam, and that is at night. I am having a real hard time seeing which is very dangerous when you are driving. I have to turn on my bright lights to be able to see at all if there are no street lights. Other car lights seem to be blinding because I cannot see with my car lights. My car is 8 years old and I have never had a problem like this with any other car I have owned.
The dealership told me it would not help to replace the bulbs. To replace the headlights is going to cost me a thousand dollars. I wish I had any confidence that would fix the problem but I am afraid if it does, it will be temporary.
Nissan definitely needs to do a recall on this problem. I am surprised I have not heard of more accidents because of this issue.
- Lisa S., Clayton, NC, US
The low beams were very dim when I purchased the car in 2016. Over the years the problem has gotten much worse and it appears to the driver that the lights are not even on. It is necessary to use the high beams to drive to see the road at all. This problem warrants a recall on Nissan's part but Nissan has chosen to remain silent.
I have replaced the bulbs with new halogen bulbs on 2 separate occasions and you can see no difference.
- Stephanie B., Kimberly, US
My low beams have slowly gotten worse over the years until now. I can't drive after dark at all. I've tried a variety of different brand bulbs with no luck. I stopped driving after dark completely after the 2nd minor accident from not being able to see at night. I've read that each light assembly needs replaced in order to fix the problem. Nissan should have recalled this long ago. Hopefully no one is killed as a result of their negligence.
- Michael M., Birmingham, US
I recently purchased purchased a 2013 Nissan Altima for my son and the headlights don't illuminate properly. It's difficult to see and I feel that Nissan should be responsible.
- Kimberly J., Birmingham, AL, US
Light are terrible at night. It would cost 1000.00 for each headlight. I wouldn't get another Nissan because of this.
- cardaj, Holmdel, US
Dim light - my lights just dimmed out of the blue. I’ve had the headlight professionally clean & mechanic change the low beam bulbs. Even after replacing, I can barely see the road which is a hazard. The Nissan shop advised there is diagnostic fee, part fee, service fee - which is estimated to be over $1000.
- Tonya W., Columbia, US
Just acquired this 8 year old Altima from a relative having been forewarned the low beams are quite dim and not cheap to fix. Come to find out this is a well-known flaw without a permanent fix, and which can only be mitigated by replacing the entire assembly at a cost of $1k.
Update from May 31, 2021: Hi,
Received notification from a lawfirm that a class action settlement has been reached in PA.
If this is on the level, and if the settlement is finalized, here’s the gist.
Hello,
You previously contacted us about our Nissan Altima headlight class action. We are pleased to inform you that we have reached a class action settlement with Nissan. Please note, the settlement has not yet been approved by the Court. If and when it receives preliminary approval, we will send you additional information.
Our lawsuit alleges that a reflective surface inside the halogen headlamps in 2013-2018 Nissan Altimas degrades, causing them to become dangerously dim.
On May 24, 2021 we filed a motion asking the court to preliminarily approve a settlement with Nissan. Approval is a two-step process. If the Court preliminarily approves the settlement, a formal notice will be sent via US Mail to Class Members who can be reasonably identified. That notice will include additional details on the settlement, such as how to submit claims. Then, the court will hold a final fairness hearing. The entire process will take several months, so please be patient.
Assuming it receives final approval by Court, the settlement will provide the following key benefits:
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs incurred to replace headlamps prior to the Notice Date. (The Notice Date is the date after preliminary approval when Notice will be sent, and has not yet been determined). To receive reimbursement, you will need to submit a timely claim form and evidence of the cost, such as a receipt. Reimbursement is uncapped for replacements performed by authorized Nissan dealers, and capped at $1,200 per headlamp pair for replacement performed by independent repair facilities.
A 3-year extended warranty (meaning a total of 6 years) covering headlamp delamination, subject to the same terms as the original factory warranty.
A Window of Opportunity for Replacement Outside of the Extended Warranty. All current owners who have delaminated headlamps will have an opportunity to receive one free set of replacement headlamps, even if they are outside the extended warranty. To receive replacements outside the 3-year extended warranty, you will need to submit a claim form within 65 days after the settlement becomes effective and the replacement must occur within a six-month window thereafter. A special notice will be sent after final approval providing information about how and when to file this type of claim.
This email is just a summary, and you do not need to do anything now. Please keep an eye out for further notices. Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP 361 W Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041
- Kenneth S., New York, US
I almost crashed 2 times driving at night and on streets that have no street lights. This has hindered my ability to drive in certain areas at night. Areas where visibility is extremely poor at night.
- Basil W., East Orange, NJ, US
Low Beam headlights are so low, I can't see 100 feet. Replaced bulbs twice to no avail. Dealer told me had to replace entire headlight assembly. Dealer cost quote to me $1200.
This low beam problem is very, very dangerous. A crash is evident. Two candles would shed more light. Someone is going to DIE.
This is definite recall need from Nissan.
- Walter D., Wildwood Crest, US
The low beams on my 2013 Nissan Altima are so bad that I have to use my high beams 100% when it is dark, which means both ways during my commute to work daily. I live in a high deer traffic area with minimal street lights so using my low beams is not an option. Needless to say, this a danger and an extreme annoyance to other drivers who constantly hit their break lights when I'm behind them or flash their headlights. It's dangerous!!!
Some people have slowed down so much so that I have no choice but to pass them and then they tailgate me with their high beams on. It's scary!! We have tried replacing light bulbs to no avail. Nissan needs to step up and and acknowledge this as a recall problem.
- curlymo123, Deerfield, US
Low beams have quickly deteriorated to the point that they do not illuminate the roadway at a distance of 20 feet from the front bumper. Unsafe to operate at night using low beam headlights.
- Albert G., Lancaster, US
Adding another low beam usability concern to the site here. Our 2013 Altima at night has the worst low beam illumination of any vehicle we have been in. There is no fix, just poor design. One can try brighter bulbs but that is a losing approach as the design with brighter bulbs just results in flashes from oncoming traffic. Best one can do is use high beams when possible.
Summary of main 2013 Nissan Altima issues we've experienced and added to this site... - No support from Nissan is our number one issue, never had vehicle issues like this before with so many problems. It can happen, have a dud/lemon, but to not get any support from dealers or corporate to help with a single issues time and time again after multiple confirmed visits with the same issues is terrible. - CVT surging easily the number one mechanical problem - Interior door handles our number one interior quality problem, 3 of the 4 replaced within 50k miles. - Exterior front bumper cover popping off left and right sides by wheel our number one exterior quality problem. - Rear end suspension rattles (this was recently recalled - finally) - Headlights terrible. - Never seen a thinner steel used for body panels, garbage - Keyless system frequent issues (must touch key to button, hit or miss,,, yes batteries changed many times).
- sigitysym, Export, PA, US
Have to drive with bright light on at night to see the road. Really a safety problem.
- Joanne M., Sunrise, US
The low beam headlights on my 2013 Nissan Altima are extremely dim! It is nearly impossible to drive at night without having my brights on. This is a major safety hazard for me and other drivers as well. I have tried the LED and HID headlights with no improvement.
- Anya B., Whiteland, US
My 2013 Altima can not be driven at night on low beam because you can barely see 100 feet in front of the car. You have to drive on high beam to see. This is very dangerous and like most others i bought the car to be able to use it no worry if the lights are effective at night. I have replaced the bulbs 3 times - high beam and low beam - 60.00 for the bulbs each time and then another $75.00 (at minimum) for someone to help me replace them as this requires the bumper to come off to replace. This is definitely a safety issue and needs to be recalled and resolved by Nissan.
- Lori P., Luray, VA, US
Low beams are so dim I can't drive unless I use high beams. It's like driving with only parking lights. Even though complaints all over the internet and there is a class action suit, Nissan says they never heard of such a thing but they will fix it for an estimated cost of $1300.
- Patricia D., Mays Landing, US
Passengers are terrified when I start the car and drive. They think I'm driving without my lights on. I live in a rural area without a lot of street lights. If I can't use my high beams, I can only see the white line in the right side of the road right in front of the car. It's like driving in a snowstorm at 30 mph with only a small part of the white line to guide me. It is even worse when it rains.
- chlarge0612, Arnaudville, US
I just purchased a 2013 Nissan Altima,10/2013. I was strictly a Honda person. I had heard good things about Nissan so long decided to buy one. All seemed to be fine, until l drove the car the first night after purchasing. The low beam lights were very dim .It was difficult driving without using the high beam when l could. I'm hoping this isn't the beginning of a long list of problems. The forum's l viewed, stated this is a common problem with 2013-2018. This is unsatisfactory for the Nissan brand.
Update from Nov 9, 2019: I purchased both light assemblies from 1A Auto and replaced them myself. I replaced them for under 200.00 with all new bulbs included and the problem was solved.It would be a justure if Nissan would reimburse me for the cost,no labor.
- Darrell M., Macon, US
My headlights are so dim. I've seen online that it's a common problem which Nissan refuses to address. Driving after dark with cars lining the street is sometimes terrifying because I'm always afraid of hitting someone I don't see because, over 30mph, you're out driving your headlights.
- Rob S., Grand Rapids, MI, US
Can hardly see when my headlights are on dim. Started about 2 years ago. I replaced the bulbs but it has gotten steadily worse. I have to drive with my lights on bright but when I meet another car and dim mine I almost have to stop because I can't see the road. I try to avoid driving at night but with the time change It's almost dark when I leave for home and full dark by the time I get home. If it's raining it is even more dangerous.
- mg2006, Pinnacle, US