2013-2018 Nissan Altima owners who paid to replace their headlamps due to dimming may be able to submit a claim for reimbursement. This settlement pertains to the case Rafael Suarez, et al. v. Nissan North America, Inc., Case No.3:21-cv-00393-WLC-AN. Claim deadline for this reimbursement is April 25, 2022.
Nissan Altima Headlight Problems
The class action lawsuit alleged that 2013-2018 Nissan Altima’s manufactured with halogen headlamps have a defect that causes an interior reflecting surface of the headlamp to deteriorate.
The deterioration of the interior reflecting surface causes low beam headlights to become dimmer effecting the overall brightness of the projected light. Driving at night with headlights that produce less light they did when brand new is a potential risk to overall drivers safety.
The alleged defect involves the headlamp assembly only, not light bulbs. Light bulbs are not covered by the Settlement.
Nissan Models Affected
All 2013 to 2018 Nissan Altimas were manufactured with halogen headlamps and are included in the settlement. The following Nissan models are affected by this defect:
- 2013 Nissan Altima
- 2014 Nissan Altima
- 2015 Nissan Altima
- 2016 Nissan Altima
- 2017 Nissan Altima
- 2018 Nissan Altima
Nissan Altimas manufactured with Xenon or LED headlamps are not included in this settlement:
- 2013-2015 3.5L SL
- 2017 3.5L SL
- 2016-2018 3.5L SL with Tech package
- 2016-2017 3.5L SR
- 2016-2017 2.5L SR with LED Appearance package
- 2016-2018 2.5L SL with Tech package
- 2017 2.5L SR Midnight Edition
Status of the Nissan Altima Headlight Defect Class Action Litigation
In Rafael Suarez, et al. v. Nissan North America, Inc., Case No.3:21-cv-00393-WLC-AN, was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. This lawsuit is settled.
Nissan Altima Headlight Class Action Settlement Details
The Settlement Class consists of all United States residents who purchased or leased any model year 2013–2018 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured with halogen headlights.
What Action Nissan Altima Owners Need to Take
The Altima Settlement provides three forms of relief to Class Members:
- Current owners and lessees of Class Vehicles:
Owners will automatically receive a three-year warranty extension of Nissan New Vehicle Limited Warranty for a total of six (6) years of Warranty coverage for headlamp delamination. - Class Members whose Extended Warranty coverage is expired as of the effective date of the Settlement:
You will have a six-month window of opportunity to receive a free one-time headlamp replacement for headlamp delamination. You must complete an “Out-of-Warranty Claim Form,” within 65 days of the Effective Date of the settlement, and obtain replacement headlamps within 6 months thereafter from an Authorized Nissan Dealer. The form will be mailed to Class Members within five days of the Effective Date and is also available at: www.AltimaHeadlightSettlement.com. - All Settlement Class Members who incurred out-of-pocket expenses for headlamp assembly replacements prior to the Notice date, or who are within the extended warranty period and pay for replacements from an Authorized Nissan dealer at any time prior to April 25, 2022:
For qualified repairs performed by an Authorized Nissan Dealer, Class Members can receive reimbursement of all out of pocket expenses. For qualified repairs performed by an independent repair facility, reimbursements are capped at $1,200 per replacement pair. Class Members must submit a Reimbursement Claim Form no later than April 25, 2022, available at www.AltimaHeadlightSettlement.com.
Questions About This Settlement?
MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the recent settlement. This post will be updated when/if new settlement information is released. Please considering subscribing to this post for updates.
Submit your Nissan Altima Car Complaint
When can I get my 2014 Nissan Altima headlights done with the settlement?? I can’t see at night and have to drive with lights on high beam. It’s dangerous. Need this done ASAP!!
Hi Glenda. You will need to file your complaint here:
https://kccsecure.com/altimaheadlightsettlement_OOW/Claimant
Hope this helps!
I called my Nissan dealer to take my car in under warranty, but they said they can’t do it right now because they don’t have the equipment to check the lights. They also said Nissan will be sending out a letter in May with further instructions. They said this is all very new for them and I need to wait until I get the letter in May. I have not read this anywhere, and it makes me very nervous. I’m afraid to take it in and pay for it myself for fear I won’t get reimbursed since they seem confused. What do you suggest?
Diane have you submitted your information to this website yet? http://www.altimaheadlightsettlement.com/
If not please do so.
I submitted an out of warranty claim online in January and was told that my claim was submitted and I would not receive any further notice and I would need to go to an authorized Nissan Dealership to get the headlights replaced. I just tried to set an appointment and they told me that my claim wasn’t approved yet and to wait until I received notice from Nissan. I am also anxious about this considering I printed the screen with my claim number and that screen specifically stated there would be no additional notices sent.
Neelie, you should receive some form of notification via email or letter in the mail.
I received a letter, stating that a settlement was reach on my 2014 Headlights, the Dealer stated that I have to wait untill the 27 th of March to make an appointment for service due to not having the Parts as of yet, what do you think??
Diane that is great news! I’ve heard parts have been difficult to come by. This is a supplier problem.
WHEN WILL THE REIMBURSEMENT CHECKS BE ISSUED FOR PEOPLE THAT PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT?
Hi Jason. I would check with the settlement administrator regarding this. Thanks.
I sent in the claim form and I read to give it a month to then contact the Nissan dealership and they would replace them. I called to make the appointment, the man said it was a “foil” around the lamp itself n not an actual headlight. He proceeded to tell me if my car had over 84 thousand miles on it this was no longer affective. How true is this? How can I get this resolved?
Nancy I would check with another Nissan dealership, as the mileage is not a deciding factor if you get a replacement or not. His dealer bulletin should explain this. Even if you are outside the extended warranty when the Settlement becomes “Effective” (January 20, 2022), you will still receive a one-time replacement set of headlamps. This language is in the case settlement filing. Also you should receive a letter in the mail regarding this settlement. You may want to check with another Nissan dealership. I think the issue might be the parts are hard to get right now.
I registered my claim and received a claim ID. I then went to the Nissan dealership and asked about my headlights. I knew it was too early to have them replaced but I wanted to make my appointment. I was told that I could pay $165 for the required inspection but that she could already tell me that we would not be eligible for the replacement. which was surprising to me as I have a 2013 Altima. When I asked for further explanation she kept repeating that we would not be eligible.
On the claim confirmation it does say in the last sentence ” The dealer will verify that your headlamps qualify due to delamination.” So if I interpret this correctly the replacement is not automatic, but the dealer has to give their blessing before that happens? I am confused and I am not sure what my next step needs to be. I hope you can provide some insight. Thank you
Something doesn’t seem right here Christina. All 2013 to 2018 Nissan Altimas that are equipped with halogen headlamps and are included in the settlement. Do you happen to know if you have the halogen or Xenon or LED headlamps? If its Xenon or LED then you are not part of this settlement.
I also have concerns with how this is being handled. The contact number they have provided from the begining 1-855-786-0996 is non operational and no other numbers are listed. I returned my form by certified mail and it was received as certified by signature but no confirmation or email reply, called law office handling this but still no response!
Hi Don,
Sorry for the troubles with this. Call this number: 866-399-2487 and ask for Tim Mathews. Keep me posted.
Don, or anyone else, has anyone called the # Christopher recommended? I’m curious as to when we could expect reimbursement (I filed by mail at the end of January).
I left a few emails to the administration about the out of pocket allocation of the funds. The website said its been approved since jan 20 2022 and i did my claim online in january and submited proff. What is the hold up? Anybody else going thru this
what is the start date to make an appointment to get my headlights replaced
Have you received a notification in the mail yet?
Same here, submitted claim February 15th for reimbursement. Received confirmation email immediately after submitting claim. Confirmation email did not provide any contact information for questions regarding claim. There was no information provided on when I would receive reimbursement. Nor was there any information provided on the claim process. I haven’t received any other communication regarding claim. There is a major lack in communication regarding this settlement. All contact numbers and websites provide the same general information. Has anyone received a timeframe on when reimbursements will be sent out?
I’m actually in the same situation. I filed for a reimbursement claim, got the confirmation email after and that’s it! Not a peep since and I can’t find any place to check status of claim.
I filed an out of warranty claim on 1/29/22, took to dealership today. They confirmed my headlights failed and told me to contact the people whom I filed a claim with and tell them my vehicle failed and have them contact the dealership to approve the ordering of my headlights. No one answers the phone and I hope they reply to my email. I thought once the dealership confirmed they were faulty that they would order the parts.
Hi Karen, I have almost exactly the same situation as yours. I just received a call from the dealership telling me my vehicle qualifies but they do not possess the replacement headlamps. He stated they are on backorder with no estimated timeline of when they might arrive. After reading the settlement wording, it stated the dealership confirms eligibility. Once eligible, they order the headlamp if not in stock. I suspect, there is a huge demand and now a supply issue. The dealer did tell me once the headlamp arrives they will give me a call to come in and have them replaced. I would call the dealership back and question their responsibility or go to another dealership.
Hi, Bob,
I had exactly the same experience with my dealership (03/30/2022). They order the headlamp with no estimated timeline of when they might arrive. Let us know if any if you receive the parts.
I went to a Nissan Dealer in Wallingford, CT They told me my car did not fail Nissan test to receive new headlights.
They said Nissan came up with a test to see if the headlight failed or passed and mine pasted. I did not receive notification concerning this new test?
My lights are very to the extent that I need to use my high-beams at night to drive my Nissan 2014 Altima.
Can you explain this pass or fail test?
Lorainne, Yes, I went through the same exact scenario and drive a Nissan 2014 Altima as well. I am surprised because prior to the recall, the dealership had inspected and wanted me to shell OOP ~$1200 to get them replaced and now all of sudden with some other test, those same headlamps for no reason passed the test.
Did you receive a reply? I’m having the same problem.
They made me come in Twice and of course they made some lame excuse that because my headlight glass is yellow it is not qualified which is BS because we can not see at night at all. I have to drive with my brights on.
My 2013 Altima 2.5 SL was denied replacement. My head lights are so dim they are not usable. Dealer told me they sprayed windex and look for a pattern. They do not care how dim the light is.
Try other dealers and see how they “test” it.
I’ve called the number twice to have a claim form sent to my house. Time is running out and I need a claim number before the Nissan dealership will fix my headlights. What do I need to do? The website will not let me download a claim form. All it talks about being reimbursed.
I filled out the out of warranty form online and called to make an appointment and the Nissan place said I don’t qualify because my car is a 2013 and there is no warranty. I tried to explain but he did not want to listen so I had them replaced. Can I still get reimbursed for this? When did Nissan start to put the new lamps on? They also told my friend that her car does not quality because they did some repairs to her car about 2 yrs ago and replaced them. Would they have been the new ones because it looks like hers are starting to dull? What do we do?
I have been waiting for parts to come in for a month, still do not know when. Would you mind telling me your cost for replacing headlights at the dealer. I was quoted for $2500.
WHEN DID NISSAN START TO PUT THE NEW HEADLIGHTS?
Has anyone heard if they are actually going to reimburse us for our claims for out of pocket repairs back in 2015 and 2017???
I filed a claim online and received a claim # months ago. Have heard NOTHING!!
Has anyone heard of a reimbursement claim being paid yet??? I submitted a claim (Months ago) on the website with receipts and got a claim # but nothing since. Any updates???
Nada! I am wondering the same. I submitted mine months ago also. I am looking to give em a call.
My 2015 Altima failed inspection at dealership over a month ago (I purchased this car month and half ago) parts have been on back order with no info on when they will arrive for repair. Since then I have gotten pulled over by police and given a written warning about using my high beams, then on a separate occasion I was pulled over and given a warning about my dim lights being too dim to where other cars cannot see me, never mind almost getting into a wreck because I cannot see, very frustrating, I don’t know if I should be mad at dealership (not Nissan dealership) for not telling me about dim lights not working or the Nissan dealership where I will have the lights repaired or supplier for parts being on back order? Either way I just hope no accidents happen while I’m waiting for parts to come in, I work night shift of course two hours from my home, very inconvenient and dangerous but I got to work, should I take my car to a different Nissan dealership and see if they can get parts in sooner?
All manufacturers are having supply issues right now. Not sure taking the car to a different dealership will help.
Sorry for your situation, I guess no more Nissan cars in the future. Just FYI, the dealer ordered parts for my car on 04/01/2022, I was told it would be lucky to get the parts in June.
Sounds like most places aren’t even allowing people to schedule the service due to supply issues. What have people been told? “We will call you when ready,” “call back after this date?”
The settlement website states you have 6 months to get repair done, but….. is that even possible with supply issues?
Sounds like most places aren’t even allowing people to schedule the service due to supply issues. What have people been told? “We will call you when ready,” “call back after this date?”
The settlement website states you have 65 days to get repair done, but….. is that even possible with supply issues?
I filed my claim online for my wife’s 2015 Altima, had both headlamp assemblies replaced in Oct, 2021 at a local collision shop.
Like others have stated I have a claim # , but have not heard from anyone about my reimbursement.
No answer to e-mails and no phone contact.
The lights were so bad, the car couldn’t be driven at night. and for the test if you can look into the lights while on ,they are junk.
No need for a high tech dealer test.
Following the comments of those who filed for reimbursement and are waiting for their payment. I am in the same boat, I filed in Feb and received a claim # to reference. I tried to email the admin as described on the settlement website today but it came back as undeliverable. I did not try to call the number provided.
What is an NIE number? My dealership said they need that number to replace the headlamps.
I guess I won’t be holding my breath on reimbursement. I have drove Nissans the majority of my life but no more for me. Not only did I have issues with my headlights but the CVT transmission as well. My friend had same make and model and had issues with both also.