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2016 Nissan Altima Lights Problems

35 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

35
Complaints
Jan 2022Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (35)

criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2023

The low beam headlights is very dim. It is almost impossible to see using that and driving at night. Whatever reflecting coating nissan put inside of the low beam headlight has faded away causing the light to not reflect properly and thus providing little to no light when you try to use the low beam headlights.

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NHTSA #: 11512916
criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2022

I had just purchased this vehicle from Dans dealers auto sales about a week ago and was brought to my attention that the headlights are filled with condensation and a good amount of water that burnt out my left turn signal and could possibly end up burning out my other lights. This could cause an accident if I didn't find out sooner because I was unaware my left signal was out.

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NHTSA #: 11459705
criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2022

The transmission has went out twice on this car, this will be the second time. It is dangerous and a major safety issue for me to drive my car especially with children in it. I can be at a red light and on the highway etc.

NHTSA #: 11458897
criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2022

The transmission has went out twice on this car within 2 1/2 years. I don’t drive it excessively. It is dangerous and a major safety issue for me to drive my car especially with children in it.

NHTSA #: 11458902
criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2021

Low beam headlight shine too weak . I replaced bulbs and nothing improved. I spoke with repair facility and said headlamps must be replaced due to known issue involving projector in housing failing.

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NHTSA #: 11444075
highEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2026

Your headlights aren't producing enough light on low beam — they're so dim it's almost like they're off, forcing you to use high beams to see at night. This has been happening for months and makes nighttime driving unsafe and difficult.

NHTSA #: 11724436
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2026

This vehicle has unusually dim lights that have gotten worse over time, the local dealership told me I missed the recall on the headlight assembly

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NHTSA #: 11715910
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2025

Headlight lowbeams are dim. Replaced with new bulbs, no improvement. Headlight lens are crystal clear from being clear vinyl wrapped when purchased new.

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NHTSA #: 11707933
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2025

Head lights very dem and I have replaced with new and still can not see far with lights on

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NHTSA #: 11663004
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2025

Unknown

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NHTSA #: 11660282
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2024

Nissan issued a notification of a safety issue with dimming headlights caused my a manufacturing issue. It's not a recall, however an extension was provided to address the concern. The problem is the letter is not clear when that extension starts, it indicates it's began January 2022 and is covered for an additional 3 years, however per Nissan the start date was the end of the manufactures warranty. I have a vehicle driven by my son that has dim headlights. This is a safety defect, created by the manufactures flaw, and should be covered by Nissan. Both headlights would need to be replaced and they should be held accountable for their safety issue.

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NHTSA #: 11626463
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway while driving. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the headlights; however, the failure persisted. The contact learned of a Class Action Lawsuit regarding the poorly illuminating headlamps. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the lawsuit was no longer active, and the remedy would not be provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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NHTSA #: 11622708
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2024

Headlights staying dim to the point of not being able to see after dark even after replacing the headlights

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NHTSA #: 11618191
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2024

I am concerned about the safety of my headlights. I haven't had my car long but noticed how dim the headlights were in comparison to my other car. I frequently would drive my old car with the fog lights illuminated due to wildlife concerns. My Nissan, though ten years newer, has lighting that is way worse. Sure enough, an animal ran out across my part that I could barely see. I looked into replacement bulbs when I stumbled across a class-action lawsuit regarding dim headlights. However, since I recently bought this car used, I apparently have no recourse. This is most definitely a safety issue. Furthermore, if the issue is due to the projector lens, then the repair should be made at Nissan's expense. Additionally, several people say that changing the bulbs do not help. I haven't had my car looked at by anyone because they just want to change the bulbs. How do you fix headlights when charging the bulb isn't the fix? How am I going to be able to see at nighttime? There needs to be a recall for these lights. It is a safety issue. It cannot be fixed by a consumer by changing the bulbs.

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NHTSA #: 11591944
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2023

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.

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NHTSA #: 11561991
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights were extremely dim. The contact used high-beam headlights to see the road ahead.

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NHTSA #: 11557965
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2023

The headlights are extremely dim and unsafe to drive on the road at night. We first began noticing it a few months ago and it looks like there was a settlement online for this exact reason, but we didn't find out about it until the aforementioned few months ago, well past the settlement window.

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NHTSA #: 11553053
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2023

Both headlights are very dim on low beam, even after bulb replacements. High beam seems more dim than other autos I have driven in the past. I usually have to drive with my high beams on if possible #2.

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NHTSA #: 11521903
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2022

The safety of the vehicle and individuals are put into a potentially dangerous position due to the knowledge that Nissan has concerning the headlamps of Nissan Altima. This is a known issue that the headlamps are defective and are dimming due to deamination, they have already settled a class action case of Suarz v. Nissan North America, Inc.

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NHTSA #: 11482328
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Aug 2022

The headlights are very dim. It is available for inspection upon request. It is a safety hazard at night time due to low visibility.

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NHTSA #: 11480803
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2022

Head lights have become dim to the point of even with bright lights on it’s difficult to see. I read of a head lamp recall and contacted the dealer. I was informed there is a recall on the Altima head lights which did not include my VIN number.

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NHTSA #: 11473751
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the headlight bulbs; however, the failure recurred several times.

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NHTSA #: 11471380
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2022

The headlights are really dim .. can barely see when driving at night .. I took it to the dealership and it says it failed inspection but im out of warranty extension ..

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NHTSA #: 11460296
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Mar 2022

The head lights are very dim and are melting so they can’t be just replaced. I can not hardly see at night because of this but I don’t hardly drive at night but if I have an emergency I need to be able to see at night. I have two children a baby and a 8 year old.

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NHTSA #: 11458904
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2022

Low beams are extremely dim after bulb replacement. Dealership confirmed known issue. I hit debris in roadway due to low lighting causing damage to my undercarriage.

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NHTSA #: 11446055
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2021

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.

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NHTSA #: 11444740
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2021

Headlights have been dim for a few years now. This makes driving at night difficult. The dealership said it has something to do with the magnifier and that changing the bulb won't fix the problem.

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NHTSA #: 11407167
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2020

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 nissan altima. The contact stated that the low beam and hi-beam headlights failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the bulbs replaced however, the light bulb replacement failed to service correct the failure.

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NHTSA #: 11384046
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jul 2020

Headlights are so dull that you can barely see three feet in front of you. Bulbs have been replaced but no help. After doing research there is something wrong with the reflective material behind the bulb and it fades over time.

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NHTSA #: 11338708
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Nov 2019

My car is barely 4 years old, I'm in my early 40s and I'm very nervous driving at night, especially when driving on dark back roads. If a car is coming from opposite direction I lose sight of the lines on the road & have to depend on the car coming at me to judge where I should be. It's 10x worse when there's a newer car with the bright LED lights.

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NHTSA #: 11282819
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: May 2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlamps failed to illuminate the roadway sufficiently. The contact stated that the visibility was poor.

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NHTSA #: 10984417
lowEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Apr 2023

Low beam light is dim.

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NHTSA #: 11518337
lowEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2020

At night time can see no more than 10-15 feet ahead with low beams head lights do not project light far enough or bright enough regardless of bulbs luminosity

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NHTSA #: 11384102
lowEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2019

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.

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NHTSA #: 11290783
lowEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Dec 2019

Headlights on low beam are almost non existent. When lights are on low beam you can barely see the road.

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NHTSA #: 11289789

Other 2016 Nissan Altima Issues