The settlement covers all 2013-2018 model year Nissan Altimas made with halogen headlamps and excludes those made with Xenon or LED headlamps. More information on the specific models covered and not covered under the deal can be found here. United States District Judge William L. Campbell, Jr. signed off on the settlement on July 26, 2021, finding that the deal is “fair, reasonable, and adequate for Altima drivers.
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
- 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.
- reimbursement for headlamps that need to be changed because of fading before October 25, 2021;
Owners and lessees of Nissan Altimas who meet the requirements can submit a claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with headlamp replacements here. The online claim form will be available on or around August 12 according to the settlement website. The deadline to submit claims for reimbursement is 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.
In This Article...
How much time is required to replace a headlight assembly?
- Any fasteners and retaining clips you’ve taken off should go in a container or jar. Otherwise, they’d be too simple to lose.
- Mark the location of the wiring removal with masking tape and a felt-tip pen to ensure that it is reinstalled accurately.
- 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.
- 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.
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 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.
Why are the headlights on a Nissan Altima so dim?
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.
What is the purpose of the Nissan headlamp 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 Replacements Replaced Before October 25, 2021: If you replaced your headlamps because they were dimming before October 25, 2021, you may be eligible for reimbursement. 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 option to purchase replacement headlamps from an authorized Nissan dealer right away and receive reimbursement is available if you are still covered by the 6-year extended warranty and do not want to wait until the settlement’s effective date to do so. In this case, you can pay for the headlamps upfront and submit a reimbursement claim. 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.
Keep an eye out for a special postcard notice from the claims administrator sometime after the settlement becomes effective, informing class members who are outside the 6-year extended warranty that you have 65 days to submit a form stating that you want free replacements, and then you have a six-month window to obtain free replacement headlamps from an authorized Nissan dealer.
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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What does a headlight assembly cost?
You may spend between $50 and $100 to replace a headlight assembly, depending on the type and the specifics of your car. Depending on the year, make, and model of your car, labor expenses for this kind of repair normally run from $100 to $200.
Can you change a headlight’s plastic cover?
Many people choose to replace their own headlamp covers in order to save money. If money is not a concern for you, hiring an expert is usually simpler.
DIY
Pros:
- FasterThere are no waiting periods as at auto repair businesses.
- Less expensiveYou won’t need to worry about labor expenses.
Cons:
- You may make mistakes and harm others.
- You might not correctly attach the cover.
Auto shop
- It is correctly replaced the first time.
- They are equipped with everything required to meet your vehicle’s specific headlight cover requirements.
- You’ll be without a vehicle for one or two days.
- greater expense
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.