CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.
5th Generation Altima’s Low Beam Headlights Are Extremely Dim - The low-beam headlights in the 5th generation Altima are dangerously dim, and it has nothing to do with the bulb. Material inside the projector breaks down creating less effective headlamps as the vehicle ages.
Found the head lights to be really dim. After doing some digging, I found a lot of complaints about the projection lining in the assemblies. I replaced the assemblies. Upon replacement, I found that the ones in there were aftermarket so they had already been replaced prior to me purchasing the car. I'm assuming the issue at this point, since I can rule out the bulbs (we've tried basically every bulb on the planet at this point) and the assemblies, is electrical in nature. Hoping somebody has any ideas because I really don't want to spend $$$ at the dealer.
What a pain. When it comes to driving at night, I prefer my 2006 Ford Escape - the headlights have been bright and secure. Since we purchased this car in 2017, I have seen why were the third owner of this car and it makes me wonder where the Feds were when this vehicle was designed or brought up and checked over. The real odd thing is they sold a butt load of the Altimas in the past years so I assume then this being the first model of the second gen.
Nissan went backwards on many items and the headlights (candles) was one them. I'm amazed there has not been many wrecks caused by the dim lights while driving at night. This issue has caused me to really not have Nissan on my next vehicle purchase list.
Update from Dec 9, 2021: Fixed the problem brother-in-law put in new head light assembly seemed to work. About a month later with all the issues with the Altima fixed it once and for all traded it in
The headlamps are dangerously dim and there is no fix. I suggest Nissan make good on this problem and recall the vehicles that are also experiencing this. There is NO fix and the company should take responsibility.
Driver's side low beam is unbelievably bad. I thought the bulb was burnt out, however, it's not. Passengers side is very bad. We can only drive this car during the day due to the horrific low beam headlights at night - it's absolutely not safe to drive this vehicle at night and during inclement weather. This handcuffs our family, especially during these tough times playing musical cars and car key swapping depending on the sunlight hours. Its not a cheap nor a quick fix.
However, finally the headlight assemblies will be replaced in another two weeks. Just in time for the holidays! Id rather spend the money on something else then replacing headlight light assembly's which should never go bad in the first place!!!
Had the car inspected and it failed for the low beams for being too dim. I don't drive the car at night because of it. I have replaced the bulbs but that didn't help. I took it to the Nissan dealer and they told me the entire assembly has to be replaced costing over $1,500... Going to find the assembly cheaper and have the dealership install them. You have to remove the bumper just to replace the light assembly... what a pain. To replace the bulbs, I had to remove the tires so cant imagine having to replace the entire assembly so going to pay the dealership to get it done. Nissan should really do something about this for their customers. Its dangerous and will lead to accidents.
I love my car. I have had it for about 5 years but I cant see s*** at night. It's to the point where I am scared to drive at night and especially when it rains. It looks like I don't even have light in unlit areas. I have been replacing bulbs and stuff for months and nothing seems to fix the problem. My bright lights work fine but the dim lights are damn near non existent.
I cannot see in the dark with my low beams on. I have to drive to work in the dark. It is very expensive to fix this problem, and it is a major safety issue. It is ridiculous that Nissan will not fix this with a safety recall. That is what a company led with integrity would do. I have been in love with Nissan for a long time, and for several vehicles, but I think it's time for a divorce.
These headlights are so bad, now seven years old, I have to drive with high beams 100% of the time. Which is dangerous for incoming traffic, not to mention that it's illegal. Even when I purchased this car brand new, they were not good. Now, they are almost zilch projection. I can't believe these are not being recalled and replaced. They are really a danger to me and to others. I have almost hit people walking on the side of the road. I BEG YOU TO PLEASE RECALL THESE HEADLIGHTS!!!
I bought this car used. It has been a nightmare since day one. Constantly having check engine light issues. But recently I have found that I cannot drive at night at all with this car. I can't see a thing with the low beams on. This lack of vision caused me to crash over a cement island in a parking lot causing damage to my front bumper and maybe the undercarriage. This lack of being able to see in the dark could have had more serious consequences. Nissan should man up and fix the problem or in my case problems. There are a lot of them on the road but I'm not sure why.
The low-beam headlamps provide almost NO illumination of the road ahead at night. Seriously, turning them off or on, it's almost impossible to tell the difference from the driver's seat. I had one headlamp replaced, but that made NO difference. People literally flash their high-beams at us at night because they think we are driving with our headlights off. This is not a subtle problem, but rather AN EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD.
THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN. See for example, http://www.nissanproblems.com/altima-projector-headlights/ : "The low-beam headlights in the 5th generation Altima are dangerously dim. The reflective material inside the projector headlights can wear down, drastically reducing the beam's power. In December of 2018 this problem ranked 10th in CarComplaints.com top problem trends list." Yet Nissan has done nothing about this dreadful safety hazard, as of March 2021. (Just checked Nissan's vehicle recall site, 3/15/2021).
Reportedly, Attorneys Chimicles & Tikellis are investigating a potential class-action lawsuit against the automaker. This will not be of much solace if my daughter has a car crash or hits a pedestrian because she can't see ahead of her when driving at night. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE--NOW!
The headlights on the Nissan Altima are literally so bad I've almost been in several accidents while driving at night!!! Everyone that gets in my car always ask "Are your headlights on"? I've been pulled over to do a sobriety test due to driving on the wrong side of the road because I LITERALLY CAN NOT SEE!!!! Ridiculous and still yet to be recalled!
Lights are so dim that high beams are required after dark to see in the city. This is causing police interference!!! But how can I see without the high beams?
Nissan offers no solution that actually works to provide the correct amount of aluminum required to see in the dark. Where else is light required other than in the dark?
There needs to be a recall and a fix!!! An expectation of an automobile is that there are WORKING headlights. You don’t even question when purchasing; oh, by the way, do the headlights work? What a trick Nissan has perpetrated on owners of this vehicle.
Lights are so dim, I must drive with high beams all the time after dark. Lights don’t project Illumination at all. This is standard equipment in automobiles. How could a car be made and lights don’t work? Need a recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nissan has FAILED its customers!!!!!! I will not own another.
The lights were so dim I had to drive from Richmond, VA to Baltimore, MD with high beams on US-95. Had the bulbs replaced twice at a total cost approximately $385. Had the entire light structures replaced, $1100. But absolutely no change. It’s caused me to not drive at night.
The lights in my car grew so dim over time that I questioned whether they were even on when driving down dark roads or in rainy conditions. This is a serious problem that can lead to dangerous driving conditions!
This issue is caused by the coating on the inside of the headlight assembly wearing away due to high heat of the bulbs. The mirror finish behind the bulb no longer reflects light, so even if you replace the bulbs, there is nothing to focus the light out ahead of the car. Nissan factory replacements list for $700-800 for the pair, and you can expect them to fail just like the originals a few years down the road. Aftermarket assemblies are available for around $200, but installation requires removal of the whole front bumper cover.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This is definitely a safety issue that needs to be addressed asap.
- Curtis S., Nassawadox, VA, US