NHTSA Complaint #11483761 — 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA

Headlights on my 2013 Altima are dangerously dim. I filed several complaints with NHTSA several years ago about this problem but nothing was done. A few months ago I received a notice from the SUAREZ V NISSAN SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR stating that my vehicle qualified for free replacement headlights as part of a class action suit settlement stemming from defective headlights on 2013-2016 Nissan Altimas. The notice said my vehicle would receive free replacement headlights if I: 1. SUBMIT AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY CLAIM FORM BY MARCH 26, 2022 2. TAKE MY ALTIMA TO AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER BETWEEN MARCH 27, 2022 AND SEPTEMBER 23, 2022. I fulfilled both of those requirements but the dealer still refuses to replace my headlights. They say they “tested” the headlights and they seem “ok”. I asked for a clarification of the “test” procedure. They said they spray “bubbles” on the headlights, turn them on and observe how bright they look. There is nothing quantitative, nothing measured — just a subjective “look” and that’s it. How can Nissan get away with this phony test. I see many complaints on this website from others that have been duped by Nissan regarding this issue. The lights on my Altima are so bad that I avoid driving at night. When I do have to drive at night, the headlights are so dim that they only FAINTLY illuminate about 25 feet in front of me. The lights are so dim that other drivers flash their lights at me, thinking that I just have my parking lights on. This is an obvious safety issue that many, many Altima owners have to put up with. As a result of the class action suit, Nissan agreed to replace the defective headlights but they are now playing games with a made up, phony test and not fulfilling their promise to replace these dangerous, defective headlights. SHAME ON NISSAN. Why doesn’t NHTSA enforce this recall? Your website says “Our mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs…” YOU NEED TO DO YOUR JOB!!!!