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 ↗2015 Nissan Altima lighting problems
moderate 261 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
261
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
8crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 261 lighting complaints filed for the 2015 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
Owners have filed 261 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.
Among the 12 model years of Nissan Altima in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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
The 2015 Nissan Altima has a well-documented headlight defect affecting visibility and safety. Owners describe low-beam output so dim that passengers ask whether the lights are on at all, even though they are. Visibility drops to 3–20 feet on unlit roads—insufficient to see pedestrians, animals, potholes, or road markings. Turn signals appear brighter than low beams. High beams work normally and are the only usable lights at night, forcing owners into a safety dilemma: drive with high beams and blind oncoming traffic, or drive nearly blind on low beams. Multiple owners have been pulled over for either "running high beams" or appearing to have no lights on.
The root cause is internal reflector delamination inside the projector headlight assembly. The clear plastic lens typically stays clear; the problem lies beneath. LED bulbs, halogen upgrades, and professional lens polishing have zero effect. Nissan's Service Campaign PC861 acknowledged this defect. A class action lawsuit settlement (2013–2018 Altimas) provided free replacement—but only through September 2022. After that deadline, owners owe $1,000–$1,600 for assembly replacement. Many dealers delayed parts delivery for months even after approval under the settlement. Nissan declined goodwill repairs for second owners or those who purchased after the deadline, citing maintenance history or warranty expiration. Owners cite safety fears: inability to navigate intersections, nearly hitting pedestrians, tire damage from unseen obstacles, and highway near-misses.
Same Nissan Altima lighting reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Low-beam headlight dimming due to internal reflector delamination
The reflective coating inside the projector headlight assembly degrades and delaminates over time, causing severe dimming of low-beam output. Owners report visibility of only 3–20 feet ahead, making night driving unsafe. The plastic lens itself typically remains clear. LED and halogen bulb upgrades do not resolve the issue. Polishing the lens and cleaning provide minimal or no relief.
When: Typically begins 1–3 years after purchase; accelerates gradually over 2–4 additional years. One owner reported onset at 25,000 miles; another at 115,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely dim low-beam output, likened to parking lights or no lights at all; High beams work normally and are the only usable lights at night; Passengers and police officers report headlights appear off when they are on; Vision of 3–20 feet forward at night; Poor illumination in rain, fog, or on dark roads without street lighting; Difficulty seeing road markings, curves, intersections, and pedestrians; Turn signals appear brighter than low beams; No warning lights or error messages
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers confirm projector reflector is the root cause. Complete headlight assembly replacement required (both left and right units typically replaced together). OEM replacement assemblies cost $1,000–$1,600 total labor and parts. Owners report 3–10 month delays for parts availability after approval. LED bulb upgrades and professional lens polishing do not remedy the underlying reflector failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Service Campaign PC861 (halogen headlights dimming due to reflector delamination). Class action lawsuit settlement (for 2013–2018 Altimas) offered free replacement under specific criteria, with remedies available only through September 2022. Settlement Administrator contact often unavailable by phone. Nissan declined goodwill repairs for second/third owners and those who missed the deadline. Dealers applied 'spray tests' (glass cleaner) that some owners state passed despite visible dimming. Nissan USA repeatedly denied warranty extension or recall for vehicles beyond the settlement window.
Moisture and fogging inside headlight assembly
Some owners and dealers report moisture accumulation inside the headlight housing, causing internal fogging and condensation that reduces light output. One owner mentioned the plastic surrounding the headlight heats up and produces gas that fogs the interior.
When: Reported at various mileages; one mention at 48,000 miles (two years old).
Symptoms owners cite: Internal fogging and haze visible inside the headlight lens; Dimmed light output correlated with moisture presence; Some owners report thermal-related fogging tied to plastic degradation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommend full headlight assembly replacement. No field repair or resealing noted. One dealer stated moisture presence but declined coverage citing mileage and normal wear.
Synthesized from 261 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the front headlights were dim. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Hello, I drive a 2015 Nissan altima s with 115,000 miles on it. The other night I was pulled over for not having my headlights on. The thing is, my headlights were on. My headlights are so incredibly dim (as a result of a factory defect in my vehicle) that the police officer behind me couldn't tell that they were on. I was given a warning and told that I need to address this problem. I…
Headlight brightness has diminished to levels below safe operation of vehicle in darkness. Changing bulbs, adjusting beam pattern and restoring outer shell of headlight assembly did not increase brightness. Internal reflectors, which cannot be cleaned or replaced, have lost their effectiveness over time. Driver, pedestrian and all other driver’s safety are at risk. Independent observation and…
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds at night, the headlights were extremely dim. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed the defect; however, the contact was informed that the part was no longer covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The…
Vehicle in motion, highway and city street driving. The low-beam headlights are dangerously dim. If driving on a road not otherwise lighted by streetlamps, nearly impossible to see the road ahead. High-beams always have to be used. Checked ground wire, replaced bulbs with no improvement. This has been an issues for a well over a year.
My headlights are getting dimmer and dimmer. I replaced the bulbs twice. But they are still dimming. Now having to use high beams all the time.
Low beams are extremely dim. It is very difficult to see at night. Even harder to see if there is rain. Replacing the bulb to the highest degree does not solve problem. Many owners have complained of the same problem. Nissan is aware but has not recalled. This is a major safety issue. I can only see with the high beams. This causes problems for other drivers. Please at least investigate this…
Headlight assemblies are so dim, even after replacing headlamp bulbs, that the vehicle is unsafe to drive at night. Nissan and dealer are unwilling to correct under the class actio Suarez vs Nissan eventhough vehicle was presented and confirmed needing repair during the time period
Lens in the headlight assembly has burnt off and the car is unsafe to drive at night. Numerous issues with this problem.
Had lighting trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 261 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 114 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 50,000 and 99,000 miles, with the median around 71,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 99,000. 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/2015/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.