A class action lawsuit alleges that the low-beam headlights on 20132018 Nissan Altima cars are too dim for owners to drive at night.
The Nissan Altimas’ halogen headlights use reflective assemblies that are allegedly flawed. Headlights get dim when the reflective surface becomes dull. When this happens, drivers may be pulled over by police for headlight problems.
Nissan is accused of being aware of the headlight issues since at least 2013, but failed to alert customers. Rather than giving free replacement components, Nissan charges customers to up $1,200 for expenses related to the headlamp assemblies.
Consumers complain that replacing the headlight bulbs does not fix the problem; the reflector cup inside the assembly supposedly cannot survive the heat created by the halogen light bulbs and loses its ability to reflect.
As the reflective coating of the projector cup burns off, the burned material ends up covering the lens of the headlights and dims the beam.
The headlight assembly is sealed, which makes it impossible to remove the haze or replace the reflector cup. Additionally, the seals fail to protect against moisture, which can damage the cups.
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Will AutoZone change 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 replacement doesn’t involve disassembling the car.
Experienced AutoZone employees can help you with a simple replacementbut AutoZone isnt a stand-in for a professional mechanic. To execute a service, they won’t take apart or remove any of your car’s components.
Additionally, not every AutoZone will change your headlight for you. Different stores can vary in policy, so you shouldnt bank on your local AutoZone to help you service your car. Of course, you can always show up and askbut to be safe, youll probably want a mechanic appointment on stand-by.
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Can you swap a headlight out on your own?
Fortunately, it’s often easy to change a headlight. The majority of the high-intensity discharge (HID) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs used today are easy to swap out. They are secured in place by small wire clips or rotating bayonet-style retainers. They can be quickly popped out from behind the headlight housing, unplugged from wiring, and swapped for a working bulb. But in order to change a headlight, you must first identify the type of bulb you need. The first place to look is in your owner’s manual.
If the manual is missing but you know the make, model, and year of your car (you do know that, don’t you?) you can consult with a counter person at an auto-parts store or refer to the headlamp booklet that usually resides in the parts store’s headlamp aisle. And finally, you can always pull the bad bulb and bring it to the store for reference.
How much does it cost to replace a Nissan Altima headlight assembly?
The average cost for a Nissan Altima headlight bulb replacement is between $195 and $239. Labor costs are estimated between $56 and $71 while parts are priced between $139 and $168.
Is there a recall on 2014 Nissan Altima headlights?
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. 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.
Relief available for eligible Altima drivers includes:
- Immediate headlight replacement from an authorized dealer for those whose vehicles are still within the six-year extended warranty period, with Nissan reimbursing out-of-pocket costs; and
- A one-time headlamp replacement from an authorized dealer for Altimas that are or will be outside of the extended warranty period as of January 2022.
- Reimbursement for headlamps replaced prior to October 25, 2021 due to dimming issues;
- A three-year extension of the guarantee covering headlamp dimming due to delamination, bringing the total warranty length to six years;
Eligible Nissan Altima owners and lessees can file a claim for out-of-pocket expenses related to their headlight 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.
Once the settlement takes effect, the administrator will mail a postcard notice to Altima drivers who are outside of the six-year extended warranty period, stating that they will have 65 days to submit a form requesting free headlamp replacements. There will then be a six-month window in which to obtain free headlamp replacements from an authorized Nissan dealer.
If you do nothing, you will still be included and will automatically receive a three-year extension of the warranty on the headlamps of your Altima.
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the settlement website here.
How are dim headlights fixed?
The most common problem that faces headlights is dim, dying, or burnt-out bulbs. Thankfully, this also comes with the most simple solution: bulb replacement. Much like the lightbulbs in your home, headlight bulbs need to be replaced every once in a while.
Headlight bulbs might need to be replaced more frequently if you tend to leave your headlights on during the day or if you regularly drive at night. For example, your bulbs can burn out more regularly if you drive for Uber, Lyft, or delivery jobs in the evenings. Older vehicles that have never had bulb replacements are also ticking time bombs for burnt-out headlights.
How can you tell when you need new headlight bulbs? In addition to noticing your headlights looking dimmer than usual, you can check for a burnt-out bulb with a few simple steps. Simply park your vehicle in a safe space and turn on your headlights. Then, step out of your car and check to ensure that both headlights are bright and functioning. When you find one or both lights starting to dim, bring your car in for a bulb replacement service.
Why are my projector headlights so dim?
Like all bulbs, projector headlights can dim over time. This is typically caused by dirt and debris gathering on the headlight lenses, which reduces the amount of light they emit. The bulbs themselves could also burn out or suffer damage, which would make them dim.
If your projector headlights are starting to look dull, there are a few things that you can do to make them brighter. First, clean the lenses with a headlight restoration kit or a gentle glass cleaner. This will remove any build-up that is preventing the light from shining through.
If the bulbs are still dim, you may need to replace them. Headlight bulbs can be purchased at most auto parts stores or online. When replacing the bulbs, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure that they are installed correctly.
How much does it cost to change headlight bulb?
The cost of replacing your car’s headlight is not universal and greatly varies according to the make, mode of your car, whether you do the work yourself, or you take the car to a mechanic. If you take your car to a dealership, you are certain to pay more but for an equivalent quality product. The usual cost for Halogen bulb for example is from $15 to $20 and an extra $50 for installation. Changing a single high-intensity discharge bulb costs $100 or more, while replacing an entire headlight assembly typically costs between $250 and $700, according to an aftermarket auto part retailer.
We recommend you replace both bulbs even if only one bulb is faulty. That’s the other bulb that seems fine might also be bad a little and could worsen if it wasn’t replaced with the bad bulb. Also, it’s to avoid having an uneven headlight display. Decide when to change your headlight bulbs so they don’t completely burn out and leave you stranded on the road.
Does O’Reilly change headlight bulbs?
Replacing headlight bulbs is a very easy fixjust stop by one of our stores and get a pair of headlight bulbs. We’ll be happy to change them for you or you can give it a try yourself. Not all services offered at every location.
Will Advance auto Parts change my headlight bulb?
Why Should You Have Headlight Bulb Replacement Services Performed at Advance Auto Center? When your lights no longer illuminate the road as brightly as they once did, it might be time to visit us so our service staff can replace your headlight bulbs. Please allow us to assist you if one or more of your bulbs burn out.
Can my automobile be operated with only one headlight?
- When unfavorable atmospheric conditions make it difficult to see objects on the road
- When windshield wipers are on while it’s raining
Getting Pulled Over for a Violation
If you’re driving about in a vehicle that has only one functional headlight, odds are an officer will stop you. This applies even if you are driving your automobile with two working parking lights illuminating the road. You can receive a citation for violating the law.
The only time an officer wouldn’t be able to pull you over for a headlight violation is when it is raining and your windshield wipers are on. This is what is known as a secondary offense. You could only be cited for this violation if you are stopped for some other traffic offense, such as failing to stop when a traffic signal is red.
Driving without two working headlights is a minor misdemeanor. For this level of offense, there is no jail time; however, you could be subject to a $150 fine.
Should you replace both headlight bulbs at the same time?
Changing headlight bulbs in pairs assures that the road ahead will be properly illuminated and that drivers will get the full safety benefit of the vehicle’s headlights, just as the carmaker intended. Replacing parts in pairs can ensure vehicles are properly balanced and functioning safely.
Do I need to disconnect car battery to change headlight?
Always disconnect the battery when changing a blown headlight bulb. The electrical system of your vehicle is connected to the headlight bulbs. They’ll pull power from the battery while the alternator recharges the battery. You should always disconnect the battery when working on your car’s electrical system to be safe. The battery doesn’t have to be taken out. Instead, all you have to do is unplug the ground cable (the black cable) until the blown headlight bulb has been replaced.