Halogen Headlamp Voluntary Service Campaign REVISED August 18, 2023 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from March 2, 2023 has been revised to include the following changes: ⢠Dealer headlamp support by email requests thru âFQA_Inspection_Support@nissan-usa.comâ for claim review will no longer be considered after September 23, 2023 ï See Claims Information, section 2 & 3
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Altima lighting problems
moderate 420 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
420
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
7crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 420 lighting complaints filed for the 2013 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Nissan Altima we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 420.
Owners have filed 420 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
HEADLAMP, FOG LAMP, OR REAR COMBINATION LAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Halogen Headlamp Voluntary Service Campaign REVISED March 2, 2023 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from September 16, 2022 has been revised to include the following changes: ⢠The parts restriction will be removed on the following parts and dealers will be able to order, as needed, via normal ordering process beginning March 9, 2023: ï 26060-3TA9A LAMP ASSY â HEAD (LH) (Headlamp Assembly) ï 26010-3TA9A Lamp ASSY â HEAD (RH) (Headlamp Assembly)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Halogen Headlamp Warranty Extension REVISED September 27, 2022 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from April 12, 2022 has been revised to include the following: ⢠The claims information section has been updated with parts ordering information: ï Parts must now be ordered using PC914. ï Parts orders using PC861 will no longer be accepted. Prior orders placed using PC861 will continue to be filled as parts become available.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2013-2018 ALTIMA SEDAN; FRONT COMBINATION LAMPS (HEADLAMPS) INSPECTION Voluntary Service Campaign ID # PC861 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # PC861. ï· Discard all previous versions of NTB22-024.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013–2015 Nissan Altimas describe a consistent and serious headlight failure: low-beam illumination deteriorates to the point where safe nighttime driving becomes difficult or impossible. The problem is not the bulbs—replacement with OEM, LED, or upgraded halogen bulbs makes no difference. Dealership inspections confirm owners' suspicions: the interior of the headlight assembly has degraded.
The culprit, according to service departments and owners, is the reflective coating inside the low-beam projector bowl. This coating delaminates, corrodes, melts, or otherwise breaks down over time, typically surfacing between 30,000 and 90,000 miles. Once degraded, it scatters incoming light instead of projecting it forward. Owners report visibility shrinking to 25 feet or less; fog lights outperform low beams; oncoming drivers flash their lights thinking the Altima has no headlights on. Many resort to driving with high beams to see, creating a hazard for oncoming traffic.
Nissan settled a class-action suit (Suarez v. Nissan, 2022) and agreed to replace headlight assemblies for claimants who submitted paperwork by March 26, 2022 and visited dealers by September 23, 2022. However, many owners report dealers refused replacement, citing a subjective "bubble test"—simply looking at how bright the lights appear—rather than objective measurement. The deadline has now expired for most owners. Repair costs run $700–$2,000 per vehicle at dealerships; Nissan may negotiate partial reimbursement after escalation, but most owners receive no manufacturer assistance. A voluntary service campaign (PC861) also exists for halogen headlamps, but owners report dealers claiming it has expired or does not cover their vehicle.
Same Nissan Altima lighting reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Low-beam headlight dimness due to internal reflective coating degradation
The reflective coating or material inside the low-beam headlight projector assembly deteriorates, melts, delaminates, or becomes corroded over time. This internal degradation is not visible from the outside of the headlight and cannot be fixed by replacing bulbs, cleaning the lens, or upgrading to brighter bulbs. Owners report the lights become progressively dimmer until they illuminate only a few feet ahead or become nearly useless at night.
When: Typically emerges between 30,000 and 90,000 miles; some owners report dimming as early as purchase or within the first few years of ownership. Problem often becomes severe enough to notice after the factory warranty expires.
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam headlights dim or fail to illuminate the road adequately at night; Bulb replacement does not restore brightness; LED or upgraded bulb installation does not improve output; High beams work normally, making the contrast obvious; Fog lights often brighter than low beams; Interior of headlight lens appears cloudy, hazy, or has a film coating; Other drivers flash headlights, thinking vehicle has no lights on; Must drive with high beams to see safely, creating oncoming traffic hazards; Visibility restricted to 25 feet or less ahead on dark roads; Turn signals brighter than low-beam headlights
Repairs/costs cited: Complete headlight assembly replacement required. Owners report costs of $450–$1,300 per headlight assembly, plus labor (total $700–$2,000+ for both). Aftermarket assemblies available at lower cost but may exhibit same defect. One owner cited a $130 diagnostic fee at dealership. Dealers sometimes cover 30–70% of repair cost after owner negotiates.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Suarez v. Nissan class-action settlement (settlement reached 2022) offered free headlight replacements to owners who filed claims by March 26, 2022 and took vehicles to authorized dealers by September 23, 2022. Dealers applied subjective 'bubble test' (visual observation of light output) rather than quantitative measurement, and many owners report dealers refused replacement even after settlement authorization. Nissan Voluntary Service Campaign PC861 (halogen headlamps) also referenced. Nissan has generally denied warranty coverage citing out-of-warranty status; some owners report Nissan offered partial reimbursement (e.g., 30–70% of repair cost) only after escalation to corporate.
Cloudy or opaque headlight lens (secondary manifestation of coating failure)
The lens covering the low-beam projector becomes visibly cloudy, frosted, or develops a film-like coating on the inside surface. This is a visual indicator of the internal reflective coating deterioration. Although the lens may appear clear from outside, the internal coating breakdown scatters or absorbs light instead of projecting it forward.
When: Develops gradually over months to years; owners report noticing progressive haziness after 30,000–90,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Internal surface of headlight lens appears cloudy or frosted; Lens looks dirty or has a film on the inside despite exterior cleaning; Exterior of lens may appear clear while interior is opaque; Progressive increase in haze over time
Repairs/costs cited: Cannot be repaired by cleaning, polishing, or disassembly of the lens alone; entire headlight assembly must be replaced (see repair costs under failure mode 1).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Same as failure mode 1 (Suarez settlement and PC861 campaign). Dealers have refused repair based on failed visual 'tests' despite acknowledged haziness.
Synthesized from 420 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The low beams are at the point where it almost looks like they are not on. I have replaced the bulbs, didn't help at all. I adjusted the 2 different adjustment pieces, one is under the hood and the other is behind the inner fender. That didn't correct it.I called Nissan and they are not aware of this issue . I did see on a Nissan form listed as www.nissanproblems.com/altima-projector-headlights/…
The lights are so dim it is like I don't have them on at night. Very hard to see driving at night. *dt the VIN provided has no displayable records. *jb
Well documented issue. "5th generation altima's low beam headlights are extremely dim" and unsafe for driving at night. Mine have become worse over time to the point where I now feel unsafe driving at night. As others have stated replacing the bulb with a brighter version does not help as the reflective material within the projector deteriorates to the point of making any bulb useless.…
Headlights are too dim--where I can only see 4 ft in front of my car at nite. It's a very dangerous safety issue.
The headlights are increasingly diminishing in regards to the distance in which it projects as the car ages though from day one the headlights were poor in which moon or fog lights were installed to supplement this issue. The faster you travel the poorer the quality of the lighting. I've changed headlights at the dealership and this has not resolved the issue, I've even adjusted the headlight…
The headlights and exterior lights are extreemely dim on this vehicle. Safety hazard, especially at night
Extremely dim low beam headlights. Changing bulbs didn't help. Have to drive with high beams and affect others sometimes. This is always, never changes day to day or under different conditions.
Low beam headlights are very dim. When I first bought the car they were so bright that I was getting brights flashed at me with people thinking I had my high beams on. Now they barley are bright. It is very hard to see at night unless I have my high beams on. I thought it was the head lamp itself but I have replaced them. I have also had to replace my low beams 4 times since I've owned the car…
I have a 2013 Nissan. Altima and the lights are very dim. I have replaced the light bulbs and it didn't make a difference. I can not see 2 feet in front of me. This is very dangerous for my kids and myself. I don't feel comfortable driving at night because there isn't enough light to see what's in front of me, or others to see me. Many of times people have turned in front of me because the lights…
Had lighting trouble with your 2013 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2013 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 420 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 227 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 60,000 and 113,200 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 113,200. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.