Nissan Altima Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 1,221 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the Nissan Altima across 25 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (442). The words owners use most often: “low beam” (31% of reports).
- 1,221exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 31mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 33%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Low beam: mentioned in 378 of 1,221 complaints (31%)
- High beams: mentioned in 240 of 1,221 complaints (20%)
- Headlights dim: mentioned in 194 of 1,221 complaints (16%)
- See night: mentioned in 135 of 1,221 complaints (11%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical exterior lighting repair on the Nissan Altima at $1,300, and half of them between $1,100 and $1,500.
Based on 107 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 628 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,221 complaints, 31 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury.
Nissan Altima exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Altima | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Altima | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Altima | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2018 Altima | 13 | 6% | 46,000 |
| 2017 Altima | 18 | 5% | 51,144 |
| 2016 Altima | 42 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 2015 Altima | 270 | 28% | 68,000 |
| 2014 Altima | 299 | 27% | 80,000 |
| 2013 Altima | 442 | 19% | 80,000 |
| 2012 Altima | 5 | 1% | 6,250 |
| 2011 Altima | 2 | 1% | 16,720 |
| 2010 Altima | 7 | 2% | 20,024 |
| 2009 Altima | 9 | 1% | 40,971 |
| 2008 Altima | 9 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2007 Altima | 4 | 1% | 34,000 |
| 2006 Altima | 9 | 1% | 117,500 |
| 2005 Altima | 13 | 1% | 48,250 |
| 2004 Altima | 6 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2003 Altima | 17 | 2% | 77,500 |
| 2002 Altima | 41 | 4% | 60,500 |
| 2000 Altima | 2 | 1% | 20 |
| 1998 Altima | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1997 Altima | 4 | 4% | 80,000 |
| 1996 Altima | 4 | 4% | 40 |
| 1995 Altima | 1 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2019
Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Nissan Altima vehicles. The brake switch bracket may be in the incorrect location, which may cause the brake switch to remain on.
Risk: If the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are not being pressed, which may confuse other drivers. Additionally, the transmission shift lever may be moved out of the Park position without the brake pedal being pressed, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a new brake pedal as needed, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the headlights were very dim, making it difficult to see while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with deteriorating headlight assemblies…
The headlights are so dim we cannot see safely at night, we have had everything professionally cleaned and installed new super bright bulbs, it has made zero difference. Does someone really have to die for this to be taken seriously? There was a huge lawsuit apparently but we never heard about it…
My 2014 Nissan Altima has experienced loss of visibility from the headlights significantly to the point of feeling unsafe driving at night. I believe the cause of these issue is due to degradation of the reflective coating within the headlamps. New bulbs installed have not improved the quality of…
The headlights are dangerously dim. There has been a class action lawsuit for these specific makes and models for the reflectors in the headlights being damaged over time, resulting in the entire headlight assemblies needing replaced.
1. Headlights. The headlights are dim to the point that vision at night is greatly impaired unless I use my high beams. It is available for inspection. 2. Impaired vision at night, I cannot see very well when driving at night, and others may be affected by not being able to see me as well. 3. This…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Altimas have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,221 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the Nissan Altima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Altima exterior lighting?
Yes: 1 safety recall list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix exterior lighting problems on the Nissan Altima?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,300 (half paid between $1,100 and $1,500), from 107 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “low beam”, in 378 of 1,221 complaints, followed by “high beams” (240).
Other Nissan Altima problems
- Power Train problems (2,187)
- Air Bags problems (1,894)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,890)
- Electrical System problems (1,749)
- Structure problems (1,742)
- Engine problems (1,449)
- Steering problems (1,338)
- Suspension problems (906)
See all Nissan Altima problems.