Headlight lowbeams are dim. Replaced with new bulbs, no improvement. Headlight lens are crystal clear from being clear vinyl wrapped when purchased new.
2016 Nissan Altima lighting problems
moderate 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
What stands out
Owners have filed 36 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.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The headlights on the Nissan Altima are dangerously dim. In dry weather the only way to see at night is with the high beams on. When it is raining even that doesn't help. I paid several hundred dollars to have the bulbs replaced at a Nissan dealer and they advised they likely will not help. At no time did the Nissan dealer tell me that there was a recall on the headlights, so I found this out…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph when the head lamps had failed. The contact stated they now had to drive with the high beams illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who were unable to identify a failure. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the way the head lamps were made the…
The low beam is almost useless due to not providing enough light to drive with them on. I need to use my high beams just to make it safe for me to drive at night. Not safe for me or other drives on the road. Must be a problem for all 2016 Nissan altimas. Thinking about trading because of this problem.
Had lighting trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 36 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?
Based on the 36 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 85,143 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2016/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.