Home · 2014 Nissan Altima · Complaints

What 1,110 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Nissan Altima

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,110)Crash / fire / injury (60)Lights (298)Transmission & drivetrain (209)Airbags (208)Suspension (130)Engine (77)Electrical system (71)Steering (58)Body & structure (52)Latches & locks (31)Brakes (28)

298 of 1,110 complaints match · Lights · clear filters · page 2 of 12

Jul 1, 2023Lights

When driving at night or low light areas headlights are very dim. The road in front of vehicle is very dark I have use high beams to see.

NHTSA ODI 11529903

Jun 12, 2023Electrical systemLights

My Altima is 9 years old now and I know things go bad overtime but my headlights are so dim I can’t see 2 feet in front of me at night snd it’s very very dangerous. I know Nissan had s class action and I was signed up and even had an appointment to fix but sadly my husband got shit while driving home from work in Chicago, he survived thankfully but the next several months revolves around him and doctor appointments, surgeries,etc… and I missed my slot. I think it’s very unfair because these we’re getting dimmer and dimmer since 2016-2017 with the past 3 years so fin you can’t see at all. I’m so afraid I’m going to be able to see and hurt someone badly, and that would kill me in itself!! I personally am not financially able to replace these yet bc it’s pubs 1500-3000 to fix if need be. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11526490

May 31, 2023Lights

I tried to have my headlights replaced in 2020 but they told me to wait there was a lawsuit going about this. After it was resolved I had to go online and fill out some info to get on the list. Then I was told they had to order headlights for me. I had to call Nissan corporate office to get on the list. But still my headlight are not fix because they do not have headlights for me.

NHTSA ODI 11524685

Feb 12, 2023Lights

These lights are so dim, even after switching bulbs it’s like I have 2 iPhone flashlights on the front of my car, I can’t see anything at night without using my brights. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost crashed due to low visibility from these dim head lights. I think they have delaminated. No specific date of incident, everyday it’s an issue

NHTSA ODI 11506876

Jan 30, 2023Lights

The reflecting mechanism in the headlamps are causing the headlights to display a dim light. It makes it difficult to be able to see past about 5ft and extremely difficult to see at night, the vehicle has been inspected by a dealership and an auto shop. The problem started a couple months ago but there was no indicator or warning before the problem occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11504454

Jan 5, 2023Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact reviewed Case No.3:21-cv-00393-WLC-AN (Halogen Headlamps “Class Vehicles”) a settlement; however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact experienced a failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11500258

Dec 19, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after obtaining the vehicle, it was discovered that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights did not properly illuminate and were extremely dim causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498019

Dec 14, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds at night, the low-beam headlights were very dim; requiring the contact to use the high-beam headlights to illuminate the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the halogen headlights needed to be replaced. The contact was told that the headlights were under the Manufacturer Recall Number: PC890 (Halogen Headlamps). The contact was advised that the parts to perform the recall replacement were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497470

Dec 1, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights were dim. The high beam headlights were used while driving but was distracting to the oncoming drivers. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact changed the headlight bulbs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the parts were backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI 11495610

Nov 29, 2022Lights

Nissan has issued a replacement of headlights but parts are unavailable. Car is unsafe to drive during hours of darkness. I spoke with both the dealer (Coggin Nissan on Atlantic, Jacksonville, FL and Nissan this morning. Parts were ordered in August but as of today there is no indication as to when they will be available. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I cannot use this car safely between dusk and dawn.

NHTSA ODI 11495282

Nov 14, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH or various speeds at night, the headlights were extremely dim. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced, however the parts were on a national back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ODI 11493498

Nov 8, 2022Lights

My headlights started getting dim about a year ago. I took my car to Firestone and they replaced them. Just a month or so later, I found out that there was a recall in the works. I finally received notification of the recall. I took my car to Nissan of Rockwall and had it tested and was advised that it did meet the qualifications for headlight replacement. This was in June 2022. I was told that the headlights had to be ordered and I was on the list. I have called several times and have been told that I am still on the list and that due to supply chain issues, they still have not received them. My headlights are so dim, that if the street is not well lit, it is very difficult for me to see to safely drive. I don't have the funds to rent another car, but what am I to do if this continues. I will have to drive with my bright lights on. I drive to and from work in the dark every weekday.

NHTSA ODI 11492690

Nov 3, 2022Lights

HEADLAMPS DON'T ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ON LOW SETTING. DEALER FIRST DENIED A PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO.RECENTLY RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID WE HAD MISSED THE RECALL DATE,WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED.

NHTSA ODI 11492190

Oct 20, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to provide adequate illumination. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11490132

Sep 15, 2022LightsVisibility & wipersCrash

The visibility of the headlamps at normal brightness are very dim. I have read about numerous lawsuits regarding this, including a class action, but when I have gone to the dealer with the information postcard that I received in the mail, I am told by Nissan that I am "outside of the window" to have them replaced with newer brighter lamps. Per the website for the class action lawsuit, it should be for 2013-2018 Nissan Altimas ([XXX], et al. v. Nissan North America, Inc., Case No.[XXX]) http://www.altimaheadlightsettlement.com/ I feel that Nissan is avoiding this issue, although there are MANY Nissan Altimas that have headlights that are not hardly bright at all. I personally had at least one issue with a deer strike that I believe could have been prevented if my headlights worked properly. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11484741

Sep 6, 2022Lights

Headlight recall is not being done even though the dealership did the test and said lights failed. I'm on month 4 waiting for a replacement. Claim code# NIZ-11408256001-1145581. Dealership info: Five Star Nissan - 839 Warren Dr, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

NHTSA ODI 11482970

Sep 2, 2022Lights

My head lights are very dim and they often causes me to run off the side of the road and I can't see objects until they are right up on me.

NHTSA ODI 11482531

Jun 23, 2022Lights

Light is dim, tried to replace bulb several time. Please see Suarez vs. Nissan North America

NHTSA ODI 11470624

Jun 12, 2022Lights

The car has dangerously dim headlights. I can barely see ahead of me at night. I live in Florida and was driving in the rain at night (not by choice) and I had to go extremely slow because I could not see a thing. I contacted the dealer but they said I do not qualify for the headlight recall and I recently got the car serviced and my headlights passed inspection. However, I’ve read many complaints online from other owners with dim lights that Nissan dealerships are passing.

NHTSA ODI 11468842

May 13, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her cousin was driving 50 MPH during the night, the low-beam headlights became inoperable. The contact activated the hi-beam headlights to illuminate the roadway for greater visibility. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464462

May 4, 2022Lights

There is a known issue with Altima headlamps that causes dimming of the lights. This resulted in a class action lawsuit. Though Nissan is making a test available to confirm eligibility for replacement, they are not providing a time frame for when they will provide dealers with parts to correct the issue. This is resulting in a severe inability to see well when driving at night especially if weather events occur and/or lighting of roads changes. I qualified, per dealer, for headlamp replacement but they cannot provide an ETA as to when the work can be done because Nissan is not giving them any sort of time frame. I have chosen to only drive roads I know during night hours, however, unexpected events like sudden rain showers or lighting being off on roadways unexpectedly - is a huge hazard and makes it difficult to see people, animals, and road markings. I am having to limit the use of my vehicle in order to drive safely, however there are times when unknown/unexpected circumstances beyond my control change visibility of roadways and the dim lights cause an enormous safety concern. That Nissan will not even provide an ETA on replacement headlamps is severely irresponsible and negligent. This is an ongoing matter and not limited to one specific date.

NHTSA ODI 11463400

Apr 15, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at night, he was unable to see the road clearly while using the headlights. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the headlight assemblies to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11460912

Apr 8, 2022Lights

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when headlights were activated, the illumination was very dim. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11460156

Apr 4, 2022LightsCrash

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 55 MPH in the evening, a police officer crashed into the front passenger side door. The front rearview mirror was also impacted. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The police officer was unable to see the vehicle due to the headlight clarity being low on the contacts vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, however the failure was not diagnosed. The headlights were not replaced. The driver was injured but decided not to receive medical treatments. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11459578

Feb 9, 2022Lights

IT'S A ROAD HAZARD YOU CAN NOT SEE AT NIGHT DUE TO THE LOW CAPACITY OF LIGHTING ON THE VEHICLE. THE LOW BEAM IS NOT ACTIVE DRIVING WITH A HIGH BEAM ON THE SHINES AS IF YOU HAD THE LOW BEAM ON. ON A VEHICLE AND HAVING TO CALL FOR A RIDE AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTING SYSTEM CLEARLY HAS SOME MALFUNCTIONING. NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM IT NOT THE BULBS IT IS ACTUALLY THE HEAD LAMPS

NHTSA ODI 11451210

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2014 Nissan Altima verdict →