Got a 2013–2018 Nissan Altima with headlights that barely light up the road? You’re dealing with a widespread defect that led to a massive class-action lawsuit. While there was a settlement offering free repairs, most of those deadlines have passed. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nissan Altima headlight recall situation—and what you can still do if your lights are dangerously dim.
What Caused the Nissan Altima Headlight Problem?
The issue isn’t your imagination—it’s a legitimate manufacturing defect.
Your 2013–2018 Altima’s halogen headlamps use a projector-style design. Inside each headlight sits a reflective cup that bounces light through a focusing lens. The problem? Nissan chose materials that couldn’t handle the heat generated by the halogen bulbs.
Over time, the reflective coating inside this cup literally vaporizes. Engineers call it “delamination” or “outgassing.” As the coating breaks down, your headlights lose their ability to reflect light forward. The beam gets dimmer and dimmer until you can barely see 20 feet ahead.
The low beams fail first because they’re used most often. Your high beams might still work fine, which is why some drivers don’t realize how bad the problem has gotten until a cop pulls them over for equipment violations.
This isn’t about yellowed lenses or dirty headlights. It’s an internal failure that no amount of cleaning or polishing can fix.
The Class-Action Lawsuit That Changed Everything
The headlight defect sparked Suarez v. Nissan North America, Inc.—a lawsuit covering roughly 1.7 million vehicles.
Plaintiffs argued that Nissan knew about the defect but didn’t warn owners about the safety risks. People were getting into near-accidents, getting ticketed by police, and paying over $1,200 out of pocket to fix a problem they didn’t cause.
On December 20, 2021, a federal court approved the settlement. It included three main remedies:
- A warranty extension to six years (no mileage limit)
- A one-time free replacement for older models already out of warranty
- Cash reimbursement for repairs already paid for
But here’s the catch: most of these programs had strict deadlines that have already expired.
Which Altimas Are Affected?
Not every 2013–2018 Altima has this problem.
The defect only affects vehicles with halogen headlamps. If your Altima came with Xenon or LED headlights, you’re in the clear—those use completely different technology that doesn’t suffer from reflector delamination.
Excluded trims (you DON’T have the defect):
| Model Years | Excluded Configurations |
|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | 3.5L SL Trim |
| 2016–2018 | 3.5L SL with Technology Package |
| 2016–2017 | 2.5L SR with LED Appearance Package |
| 2016–2018 | 2.5L SL with Technology Package |
| 2017 | 3.5L SL / 3.5L SR / 2.5L SR Midnight Edition |
If you’re not sure what headlights you have, check your owner’s manual or look for the bulb type printed on the headlight assembly when you open the hood.
The Settlement Programs (And Why Most Are Now Closed)
Warranty Extension (Campaign PC807)
Nissan extended the headlight warranty to six years from the original purchase date, effective January 20, 2022.
If your car falls within this window and you haven’t had the headlights replaced yet, you might still qualify. Contact an authorized Nissan dealer to check your eligibility.
One-Time Replacement for Older Models (Campaign PC861/PC890)
This was the big opportunity for 2013–2015 Altima owners whose cars were already past the six-year mark.
The process required submitting a claim form by March 26, 2022. Approved owners had until September 23, 2022, to get their free inspection and replacement.
Campaign PC861 officially closed on September 23, 2022. If you missed these deadlines, you’re likely out of luck for a free fix.
Reimbursement Program
Already paid to fix your headlights before the settlement? Nissan offered reimbursement for repairs done up to October 25, 2021.
The claim deadline was April 25, 2022—that ship has sailed.
Reimbursement terms that were available:
| Where You Got It Fixed | What Nissan Paid Back |
|---|---|
| Authorized Nissan dealer | Full documented costs |
| Independent shop | Actual costs, capped at $1,200 per pair |
| DIY repair (parts only) | Actual parts and shipping costs |
How to Tell If Your Headlights Have the Defect
Nissan created a specific diagnostic procedure to identify the problem. You can try this yourself before heading to a dealer.
The inspection method:
- Start your engine (this ensures proper voltage)
- Turn on your low-beam headlights
- Clean the lenses with water or glass cleaner
- Stand 3–3.5 feet from the center of your front bumper
- Look at the light pattern projected on the headlight lens itself
What you’re looking for:
Good headlights show:
- A sharp, square-shaped light pattern
- A clear dark circle in the center
- Uniform brightness across the beam
Failed headlights show:
- Very dim or missing square shape
- Blurred or distorted center circle
- Just a small bright spot with no defined structure
- Dull or burned appearance on the reflector (visible through the lens)
If you see the “failed” characteristics, your reflector has delaminated.
What About the 2002–2003 Altima Headlight Issues?
Older Altimas had their own headlight nightmare—Campaign PB135.
The 2002–2003 models suffered from a completely different problem: poor electrical grounding at the bulb terminal. This created excessive heat, leading to melted connectors and sudden bulb failures.
Nissan fixed it with a “Halogen Terminal Ground Plate Kit” that rerouted the ground wire.
Key differences between old and new headlight problems:
| Issue | 2002–2003 Altima | 2013–2018 Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Root cause | Electrical grounding failure | Reflector material breakdown |
| Symptoms | Sudden bulb failure, melting | Gradual dimming over time |
| Fix | Ground plate kit | Complete headlight replacement |
If you’ve got a 2002–2003 Altima with headlight issues, ask your dealer about Campaign PB135.
Safety Risks You Can’t Ignore
Dim headlights aren’t just annoying—they’re genuinely dangerous.
When your low beams lose intensity, your “seeing distance” shrinks dramatically. At highway speeds, you might not see far enough ahead to stop for hazards.
Real-world consequences:
- Increased crash risk: You can’t avoid what you can’t see—pedestrians, animals, debris, or stopped vehicles become invisible until it’s too late
- Traffic violations: Cops regularly pull over Altimas for dim headlights, leading to tickets and fines
- High-beam problems: Some drivers compensate by using high beams constantly, which blinds oncoming traffic and creates new hazards
The defect specifically impacts compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, which sets minimum photometric requirements for automotive lighting.
What Can You Do Now?
If you missed the settlement deadlines, your options are limited—but not completely gone.
Check Your Current Warranty Status
Even though most campaigns closed, the six-year warranty extension might still cover you if your car is newer in the affected range.
Contact Nissan Consumer Affairs with your VIN to verify coverage. Some owners report that dealers initially denied coverage, only to have Nissan corporate step in and approve the repair.
Understand Parts Restrictions
Certain headlight assemblies were placed on “parts restriction,” meaning dealers can’t stock them. Each order must tie to a specific VIN and confirmed diagnosis.
Restricted part numbers:
- 26060-3TA9A (Left headlamp)
- 26010-3TA9A (Right headlamp)
If parts aren’t available, ask about Campaign PC890, which was created specifically for vehicles diagnosed with the defect but waiting for inventory.
Pay for the Repair (And Budget Accordingly)
If you’re completely out of warranty, you’ll pay out of pocket. Expect to spend $1,000–$1,500 for both assemblies at a dealer, or slightly less at an independent shop.
Don’t waste money on individual bulb replacements—they won’t fix internal reflector delamination.
Document Everything
If you end up paying for this repair, keep detailed records. While current reimbursement programs have closed, Nissan has historically opened new avenues when enough pressure builds.
Save:
- Repair invoices
- Photos of the dim light pattern
- Any dealer communications
- Police citations related to dim headlights
Current Nissan Altima Recall Status (2019–2025)
The 2019 and newer Altimas don’t have the same headlight defect, but they’ve faced their own recall issues.
Recent notable recalls:
| Date | NHTSA Campaign | Problem | Affected Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | 25V437000 | Metal shavings in 2.0L VC-Turbo engine bearings | 2019–2020 |
| Dec 2023 | 23V882000 | Loose steering gear assembly bolts | Various |
| Sept 2023 | 23V628000 | Damaged rearview camera harness | Various |
The 2025 engine recall is particularly serious, affecting roughly 444,000 vehicles and including a 10-year/120,000-mile warranty extension.
HID Headlight Issues in Newer Models
Some newer Altimas with HID (High-Intensity Discharge) headlights experience different problems:
Common HID symptoms:
- Light cycles on and off repeatedly
- Flickering or unstable beam
- Color temperature shifts to pink or purple
These are typically wear-and-tear issues related to ballast failure or bulbs reaching end-of-life (2,000–3,000 hours). Unlike the halogen delamination, HID problems don’t usually stem from manufacturing defects.
Dealer vs. Independent Repair: What’s the Difference?
If you’re paying out of pocket, where should you go?
Nissan dealer advantages:
- Access to restricted OEM parts
- Familiarity with the defect and diagnostic procedures
- Proper warranty documentation if coverage applies
Independent shop advantages:
- Lower labor rates
- May use quality aftermarket assemblies at significant savings
- Often faster turnaround times
One warning: avoid the cheapest aftermarket headlights you find online. Poor-quality replacements can develop similar problems within a year or two.
Don’t Confuse Surface Damage with the Defect
Not every dim headlight is covered by the Nissan Altima headlight recall situation.
External issues NOT covered:
- UV-induced yellowing of the lens
- Surface oxidation or hazing
- Physical scratches or cracks
- Moisture inside the housing from a bad seal
You can often polish away yellowing with specialized kits. The delamination defect is internal and unfixable without replacing the entire assembly.
Nissan specifically excluded lens hazing from settlement coverage. Dealers were trained to differentiate between the two by cleaning lenses with foaming glass cleaner before making a diagnosis.
The Bottom Line on Your Options
If your 2013–2018 Altima is within the six-year warranty extension window: Contact a Nissan dealer immediately. You might still qualify for free replacement.
If you’re outside all warranty periods: You’re looking at $1,000+ out of pocket. Get quotes from both dealers and independent shops. Consider this a necessary safety expense, not optional maintenance.
If you’ve already paid for the repair: Unfortunately, the reimbursement deadline passed in 2022. Keep your documentation anyway—stranger things have happened in class-action aftermaths.
If you’re shopping for a used 2013–2018 Altima: Check whether the headlights have already been replaced. If not, factor $1,200 into your purchase price, or walk away.
The Nissan Altima headlight recall programs closed their doors, but the safety issue remains real for thousands of drivers. Don’t wait until you can’t see the road ahead—or until a cop can’t see your headlights at all.
