The low-beam headlights on 2013–2018 Nissan Altima vehicles are allegedly too dim for owners to drive at night, according to a class action lawsuit.
The Nissan Altimas’ halogen headlights feature reflecting parts that are supposedly flawed. Headlights lose their brightness when the reflective surface ages. When this occurs, police may stop moving vehicles to check the headlights.
Nissan is accused of being aware of the headlight issues since at least 2013, but failed to alert customers. Nissan doesn’t provide free replacement parts; instead, customers must pay up to $1,200 for costs associated with the headlamp assemblies.
The reflector cup inside the assembly supposedly cannot survive the heat produced by the halogen light bulbs and loses its capacity to reflect, which is why customers claim that changing the headlight bulbs does not solve the issue.
The projector cup’s reflecting coating burns off, leaving behind burned material that eventually covers the headlights’ lens and weakens the beam.
The reflector cup cannot be changed or the haze removed since the headlight assembly is sealed. The seals do not adequately guard against moisture, which can harm the cups.
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How much does it cost to replace a Nissan Altima headlight?
Estimated cost to replace the headlight bulbs on a Nissan Altima. Nissan Altima headlight bulb replacements typically cost between $195 and $239. While parts are priced between $139 and $168, labor costs are predicted to range between $56 and $71.
Does the Nissan Altima have a headlight recall?
This class action complaint claims that halogen-headlamp-equipped 2013–2018 Nissan Altimas (the “Class Vehicles”) have a flaw that causes the internal reflecting surface of the headlamp to deteriorate, which causes the low beam headlights to fade.
Nissan North America, Inc. (“Nissan”) has consented to a class action Settlement despite vigorously disputing all charges of misconduct and culpability. All genuine Nissan replacement parts have been produced with a new design from December 2018.
It is only a synopsis on this page. For further information, click the sections above. To all current and previous owners and lessees of Class Vehicles, the Settlement offers the following sorts of relief:
(1) Headlamp replacement reimbursement before October 25, 2021: Prior to October 25, 2021, you may make a claim for compensation if you spent money replacing your headlamps because they were dimming. The reimbursement claim submission deadline is April 25, 2022. For further information about reimbursement, see the FAQs.
(2) 3-Year Extension of the Manufacturer’s Warranty Covering Headlamp Dimming Due to Delamination: Nissan will offer a 3-year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty covering headlamp dimming due to delamination, for a total of 6 years of coverage, starting on the Settlement’s Effective Date, which is anticipated to be on or after January 20, 2022. The same conditions that apply to the normal warranty also apply to this transferrable warranty. Bring your Class Vehicle to a Nissan Authorized Dealer during the extended warranty term to receive replacement headlamps.
(3) The choice to get an immediate replacement from a licensed Nissan dealer and receive payment: You can pay out-of-pocket for replacement headlamps from an Authorized Nissan Dealer and submit a claim for reimbursement if you are currently inside the 6-year extended warranty period and do not wish to wait until the Effective Date of the settlement. The deadline for reimbursement claims is April 25, 2022.
(4) One-Time Replacement for Class Vehicles That Are or Will Be Outside the Extended Warranty as of the Effective Date: If your Class Vehicle will not be covered by the extended warranty on January 20, 2022, you will be eligible to receive a single set of headlamps as soon as the settlement is finalized.
Class members who are not covered by the 6-year extended warranty will receive a special postcard notice from the claims administrator when the Settlement becomes effective. Members of the class are thus notified that they have 65 days to submit a form requesting free replacements. After that, a six-month opportunity will open up for you to get free replacement headlamps from a Nissan dealer. Keep a look out for the postcard notice anytime after January 20, 2022, as this is time-sensitive.
Is AutoZone going to replace my headlight?
AutoZone can assist you in replacing a burned-out headlight bulb, but only if you bought the replacement bulb from their store and only if the procedure doesn’t involve disassembling the car.
While knowledgeable AutoZone staff members can assist you with a straightforward replacement, the store is not a substitute for a qualified mechanic. To execute a service, they won’t take apart or remove any of your car’s components.
Not all AutoZones will change your headlight for you, to add to that. You shouldn’t rely on your neighborhood AutoZone to assist you service your automobile because different locations may have different policies. Of course, you can always show up and inquire, but for your own protection, you should definitely have a scheduled mechanic appointment.
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Can you swap a headlight out on your own?
For instructions on how to replace the headlight in your specific car and which headlight bulb to buy, consult your owner’s handbook.
Step 4. Unscrew the old headlight
Zullo warns that every car is unique. “He claims that while you can reach the bulb with some autos, you can’t with others. Sometimes you have to remove the inner fender to reach behind it because the battery or air filter housing is in the way.
However, changing the halogen bulb is all that is required if you can get the headlight open. This entails carefully unlocking the bulb after examining how it is secured. Zullo cautions that if the clips that are being used here are broken, the entire headlight would need to be replaced. “According to him, you must first examine how it is connected, softly disassemble it, and then carefully reassemble it without touching the bulb’s glass.
Step 5. Screw in the new headlight bulb
Without touching the bulb’s glass, carefully screw in the new bulb. If you do, the oil and grime on your hands could cause the bulb to burst once it heats up. Your car’s hood should be closed. Your headlights ought to work perfectly again after installing the new bulb, allowing you to enjoy driving your automobile day or night.
Most of the time, changing a headlight is simple and doesn’t need sending your car to the shop. See what other do-it-yourself auto maintenance tasks are available.
How do I brighten my headlights?
The brightest headlight bulbs are those made of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). They last five to ten times longer, use half the energy, and are 500% brighter than halogen bulbs. LED bulbs emit a clean white light, which vastly increases vision at night, in contrast to halogens, which produce a dim, yellowish light. For these reasons, switching to LED bulbs is the best method to drastically enhance the lighting systems in your car.
New luxury vehicles like Bentleys, Rolls Royces, BMWs, and Audis now outfit some high-end versions with LED headlights due to their exceptional performance. You’ve probably seen their blazing lights, which provide a strong white glare. The good news is that the headlights on your vehicle may be just as bright.
Using an LED headlight conversion kit, stock halogen headlights can be changed over to LED. Since the LED bulbs fit perfectly into your halogen housing and connect directly to your headlight power harness, the conversion process is actually fairly easy. Even your grandma can do this; it’s no different from simply changing a halogen bulb!
New clear bulb
We have two quick repairs for you if your car’s headlight only produces about as much light as a flashlight with dead batteries.
Most do-it-yourselfers believe that their power feed or headlight switch is broken. But corroded ground wires are the main reason for dim headlights. See where the wiring harness joins to the car body by following it from the back of each headlamp assembly. Clean it as shown in the picture.
Another explanation is that as headlight filaments deteriorate, they leave a grayish-brown layer inside the bulb. That coating can eventually cut visibility down by over 300 feet. Pull one of the bulbs out of your headlights to check the glass for any gray or brown residue if they aren’t as brilliant as they once were. Replace both bulbs right away if you find any to resume seeing more of the road.
Why, even after changing the bulb, are my headlights still dim?
Some drivers are shocked to hear that burned-out bulbs are not the only reason why their headlights are fading. In actuality, the lenses themselves could be at fault. Acrylic is frequently used to make the plastic parts that cover the bulbs in headlight lenses. UV radiation and this substance are known to chemically react with one another. Your lenses may oxidize over time, giving them a foggy, clouded, or yellowed appearance. Oxidation produces an opaque shade that does not allow as much light to flow through as clear lenses do. Even if your headlight bulbs are brand-new, this will make them appear dim.
Simple headlight restoration services are the answer in this case. Your mechanic can handle lens oxidation and help safeguard your headlights from potential issues using tools fit for a pro and his/her experience. Read the entirety of our headlight restoration service instructions here.
What is the price of a new low beam bulb?
Replacement headlight bulbs typically cost between $114 and $137. Between $42 and $54 is the expected cost of labor, while between $72 and $84 is the estimated cost of parts. Taxes and other costs are not included in this range, nor are your particular vehicle or geographic area taken into account.
How much do Nissan headlights cost?
Typically, a Nissan Altima headlamp costs between $80 and $400. Prices vary depending on the type of bulb and assembly’s component parts. These headlights are offered both singly and in pairs. While some choices simply feature the exterior of the headlights, others are supplied with the bulbs.