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.
In This Article...
How much does a 2015 Nissan Altima headlight assembly cost to replace?
Best in Automotive Repair 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. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
Is it challenging to swap out a headlamp assembly?
If you have the necessary equipment on hand, replacing a headlight component is not all that much more difficult than changing a lightbulb. Given how expensive new headlights can be, saving money on components and labor by performing a work like this yourself is only beneficial.
How much time is required to replace a headlight assembly?
- Kneeling or working beneath the car can be made more comfortable by using an old throw rug, a rubber mat, or a sizable piece of clean cardboard to lie on.
- When connections are made, keep an eye out for a loud click.
- Mark the location of the wiring removal with masking tape and a felt-tip pen to ensure that it is reinstalled accurately.
- Pick a spot with sufficient lighting in your garage or a tidy portion of your driveway to work on your car. Be calm and give yourself plenty of time (at least two hours) to change a headlight. It can be straightforward, but it also might turn out to be trickier than you anticipated.
- Any fasteners and retaining clips you’ve taken off should go in a container or jar. Otherwise, they’d be too simple to lose.
We anticipate that your headlight replacement efforts will succeed if you follow these advice. We also hope that you don’t need to replace as many bulbs as this guy:
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.
Jerry will automatically produce personalised quotations from more than 55+ top name-brand insurance carriers when you download the app and answer a few questions.
From the app, you can shop and compare prices, manage your policy, and even switch policies! Jerry handles everything, including getting in touch with your insurance, buying your new coverage, and dealing with the tedious paperwork.
Are the headlights on the 2014 Nissan Altima being recalled?
On July 26, 2021, United States District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr. approved the agreement and stated that it is “fair, reasonable, and adequate for Altima drivers.” The settlement only applies to Nissan Altimas with halogen headlamps from the 2013 to 2018 model years. Xenon or LED headlamps are not included by the settlement. You can read more about the exact models covered and uncovered by the agreement here.
For eligible Altima drivers, the following relief is offered:
- For owners whose vehicles are still covered by the six-year extended warranty, Nissan will pay for an immediate headlight replacement from an authorized dealer, and
- reimbursement for headlamps that need to be changed because of fading before October 25, 2021;
- an addition of three years to the guarantee covering headlamp dimming brought on by delamination, raising the total warranty time to six years;
- For Altimas that are or will be outside the extended warranty period as of January 2022, a single headlight replacement from an authorized dealer.
Owners and lessees of Nissan Altimas who meet the requirements can submit a claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with headlamp replacements here. (Note: According to the settlement website, the online form will be available on or around August 12.) The application for reimbursement must be submitted no later than April 25, 2022.
Drivers of Altima vehicles who are past the six-year extended warranty period will receive a postcard notice from the administrator once the settlement goes into effect informing them that they have 65 days to complete a form asking for free headlight replacements. After that, a six-month window will open up for customers to get free headlamp replacements from a licensed Nissan dealer.
Even if you don’t take any action, you will still be covered and receive a three-year extension of the warranty on your Altima’s headlamps.
On the settlement website, you can find answers to frequently asked issues.
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.
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!
How much does a brand-new headlight assembly cost?
How you complete the work will affect your labor costs. often refers to the installation’s overall cost. The typical cost could range from $75 to $400 if you replace the full headlight assembly yourself. If you take it to a car repair shop, the headlight assembly replacement cost will be between $250 and $1,000. Most aftermarket auto parts stores estimate that the cost to replace a single high-intensity discharge bulb can be $100 or more, while the price to replace a whole headlight assembly ranges from $250 to $700. Depending on the type of headlight bulb you select for your car, the cost to replace a headlight unit might range from $15 to $200.
Can just the headlamp cover be changed?
The typical price range for headlamp coverings is $150 to $300 for a pair.
If you are confident with the full installation process, you may even save some money by installing the headlight covers yourself.
The headlight’s size, shape, and design, as well as the labor rate, all affect the final cost.
Should both headlamp assemblies be changed?
The solution is that replacing both bulbs is not necessary. However, there are several benefits to having a skilled Ace Auto Parts mechanic replace both lights at once. You don’t want both headlamps to go out, which is the main justification for replacing all of the headlights at once.
How can I tell if my headlight assembly has to be replaced?
It’s time to change your bulbs if you find that they are flickering or getting dim. Additionally, if one bulb is out or fading, the other will soon follow. Therefore, swap out both bulbs at once. In many modern automobiles, a single bulb handles both the high and low beams.
How can you tell if a headlamp assembly is necessary?
4 indicators that you need new headlights
- The headlights of cars are dim. After a while, headlights lose their brilliance, so if you find yours are becoming darker than before, that’s a sign they’re nearing the end of their useful life and will soon burn out.
- The lights of cars are flickering.
- The headlights of cars are dim.
- The lights in cars are out.
What’s included in a headlight assembly?
In the past, the headlamp assembly was a straightforward affair that was simple to swap out in a plug-and-play manner. Modern automobiles may have given up some of the simplicity of earlier designs, but they have improved in many other areas, including technology, efficiency, safety, and longevity.
A headlight assembly typically consists of several pieces, and while they can be upgraded or modified aftermarketly, they can also be replaced with factory-supplied originals.
The Housing
The housing is what attaches to the car’s body and holds and shields the bulbs from the elements. Depending on the type, it could consist of one or several pieces, with various colored lenses to aid distinguish between turn signals, parking lights, and headlights.
Additionally, the enclosure shields the bulb from the engine compartment and offers a reflective surface to intensify and direct the light. Small modifications can be made at the back of the housing to position the headlights. Since the solid plastic doesn’t have much give, it’s usual to experience cracks and damage to the housing in minor collisions, however many vehicles are built to make this a simpler fix.
The Headlight
The light itself may be the most significant component of a headlight system. Parking lights, fog lights, high beams, low beams, and turn signals are the most typical lights seen on modern cars, while each manufacturer includes different lights.
The kind of bulb used differs as well. Halogen bulbs have been commonly utilized up until recently, but LEDs and HIDs are starting to gain popularity with manufacturers and consumers who just want an easy update with better brightness and efficiency. Some vehicles necessitate a bit more labor, but for the most, it’s a relatively simple update with a prompt payoff.