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 halogen headlights installed in the Nissan Altimas use reflective assemblies that are allegedly defective. Headlights become dim when the reflective surface becomes dull. When this happens, drivers may be pulled over by police for headlight problems.
Nissan apparently knew about the lighting problems since at least 2013 but did not alert customers. Rather than offer free replacement parts, Nissan charges owners to up $1,200 for expenses related to the headlight assemblies.
The reflector cup inside the assembly allegedly cannot withstand the heat produced by the halogen light bulbs and loses its ability to reflect, which is why customers claim that changing the headlight bulbs does not solve the issue.
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 reflector cup cannot be changed or the haze removed since the headlight assembly is sealed. Additionally, the seals fail to protect against moisture, which can harm the cups.
In This Article...
Will AutoZone change my headlight?
AutoZone can help you replace a burnt-out headlight bulb, but only if youve purchased the new bulb from their company, and only if the replacement doesnt require any vehicle disassembly.
Experienced AutoZone employees can help you with a simple replacementbut AutoZone isnt a stand-in for a professional mechanic. They wont disassemble or remove any of your cars components to perform a service.
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 replace a headlight yourself?
Fortunately, it’s often easy to change a headlight. Most of today’s halogen high-intensity-discharge (HID) or light-emitting-diode (LED) bulbs are simple to replace. They are secured by rotating bayonet-style retainers or tiny wire clips. 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 owner’s manual is missing but you know your car’s make, model, and year (you do, don’t you? ), you can speak with a counter employee at an auto-parts store or consult the headlamp booklet, which is typically located in the headlamp aisle of the parts store. And finally, you can always pull the bad bulb and bring it to the store for reference.
Is there a recall on 2014 Nissan Altima headlights?
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.
Relief available for qualifying Altima drivers includes:
- 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.
- 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
- A three-year extension of the warranty covering headlight dimming due to delamination, bringing the total warranty period to six years;
- Reimbursement for headlamps replaced prior to October 25, 2021 due to dimming issues;
Eligible Nissan Altima owners and lessees can file a claim for out-of-pocket expenditures connected to their headlamp repairs here. (Note: the settlement website states that the online form will be functioning on or around August 12.) The deadline by which to file claims for compensation 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 after the settlement goes into effect informing them that they have 65 days to submit a form asking for free headlamp 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.
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the settlement website here.
Why, even after changing the bulb, are my headlights still dim?
Some drivers are surprised to learn that headlight dimming is not always caused by burnt-out bulbs. In actuality, the lenses themselves could be at fault. Headlight lensesthe plastic panels that cover the bulbsare commonly constructed out of acrylic. This substance is recognized for chemically interacting with the sun’s UV radiation. Over time, your lenses can become oxidizedleading to a foggy, cloudy, or yellowed lens appearance. The opaque shade caused by oxidation does not let as much light pass through as clear lenses. This will leave your headlights looking dim, even if you have brand-new bulbs.
Simple headlight restoration services are the answer in this case. Using professional-grade tools and experience, your mechanic can address lens oxidation and help protect your headlights from future troubles. You can read our full guide to headlight restoration service here.
How do I brighten my headlights?
LEDs (light-emitting diode) are the brightest headlight bulbs. They are 500% brighter than halogen bulbs, consume half the amount of energy and last five to ten times longer. 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, changing to LED bulbs is the number one approach to drastically improve your vehicle’s lighting systems.
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 super bright lights emitting a powerful white beam. 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 very easy. This is no different than simply replacing a halogen bulb, even your grandma can figure it out!
What is the cost to replace a headlight bulb?
The price to replace a headlight in your car varies significantly depending on the make, model, and whether you choose to do the work yourself or take the car to a mechanic. If you take your vehicle to a dealership, you can count on paying more money for a similar-quality item. 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 a complete headlight assembly often costs between $250 and $700, according to an aftermarket car part retailer.
Even if only one bulb is broken, we advise replacing both. That other bulb, which likewise appears to be in good shape, might really be slightly defective and might get worse if the defective bulb isn’t replaced. Additionally, it is to prevent an uneven headlight display. Decide when to change your headlight bulbs so they don’t entirely burn out and leave you stranded on the road.
O’Reilly does it change the headlight bulbs?
Simply stop by one of our stores and pick up a pair of headlight bulbs for a relatively simple fix. You can try changing them yourself, or we’ll be happy to do it for you. Not every location offers all services.
How much does it cost to get a headlight replaced?
How you complete the job will affect your labor costs. often refers to the installation’s overall cost. If you replace the entire headlight unit yourself, the average cost might be $75 to $400. 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. The headlight unit replacement cost might range from $15 to $200, depending on the type of headlight bulb you choose for your car.
How much does it cost to replace headlight assembly in 2013 Nissan Altima?
The Best in Auto Repair It typically costs between $195 and $239 to replace a headlight bulb in a Nissan Altima. 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.
How many different types of headlight bulbs can a 2016 Nissan Altima use?
Sylvania – H11 SilverStar: Halogen Headlight Bulb, Brighter Downroad and Whiter Light, 2 Pack (Part No. H11STBP2) (Part No. H11STBP2)
Can I drive my automobile with one headlight?
- When it is raining and the windshield wipers are activated
- when visibility of things on the road is hampered by poor weather
Getting Pulled Over for a Violation
It’s likely that an officer will stop you if you’re driving about in a car with only one functional headlight. This holds true even if you are driving your automobile while the road is illuminated by two functional parking lights. A citation may be issued to you if you break the law.
If it’s raining and your windshield wipers are on, the only time an officer couldn’t pull you over for a headlight violation is if it’s not safe to do so. This constitutes 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.
It’s a minor infraction to drive without both of your headlights functioning. For this category of violation, there is no jail time; however, you could be subject to a $150 fine.
Should you swap out both of the headlight bulbs at once?
The road ahead will be properly illuminated and drivers will receive the full safety benefit of the vehicle’s headlights, exactly as the carmaker intended, when headlight bulbs are changed in pairs. Replacing parts in pairs can ensure cars are correctly balanced and running safely.
Does Walmart do headlight installation?
Yes, headlights are changed at Walmart Auto Care Centers. At Walmart, installing new headlights costs $7.50 for each light, excluding parts. Each vehicle’s headlamp refurbishment costs $25.
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How do you change a headlight assembly?
Instructions
- First, take out the outdated headlamp assembly.
- Disconnect the assembly in step two.
- To remove the headlamp retainer ring from the headlamp, turn it counterclockwise.
- Step 3: Disconnect electrical.
- 4. Remove the previous assembly.
- Replace the assembly in step five.
- Step 6: Connect the new assembly.