RoadVitals

2017 Nissan Altima Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Aug 12, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 390 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2026

1. Headlights. The headlights are dim to the point that vision at night is greatly impaired unless I use my high beams. It is available for inspection. 2. Impaired vision at night, I cannot see very well when driving at night, and others may be affected by not being able to see me as well. 3. This is a known manufacturing defect which has been confirmed by Nissan, and is actually subject of a class action settlement, however I was unaware of the class action settlement at the time and didn't participate before the deadline. 4. I have not been inspected yet, but am able to do so. 5. No, there are no warnings, the headlights are just too dim to see.

NHTSA ID
11756481
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jul 12, 2026

Car not starting. Narrowed down to brake light switch not functioning properly. Jumped across the switch, car started. Push button ignition requires brakes to be depressed to start the vehicle. We have been close to being rear-ended twice lately. No warning lights signifying a problem. This is the second Altima I owned with this exact same failure to occur. First was a 2010 Altima S 2.5

NHTSA ID
11749825
Incident
Jul 12, 2026
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front headlights failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the front headlights were dim. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an Extended Warranty Program for the failure; however, the Extended Warranty had expired in 2023. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,850

NHTSA ID
11685278
Incident
Sep 5, 2024
Mileage
87,850 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2025

When driving down the street car shuts off lights flicker on and off continuously sometimes it don’t turn back on sometimes it does but I usually just coast until it turns back on very dangerous if on freeway or heavy traffic also the brake light and and trac lights go on when this happens. When stepping on gas the rpm’s go up really high like the transmission is going out

NHTSA ID
11669034
Incident
Jun 24, 2025
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting
Filed Apr 11, 2025

I'm driving in my car is cool right right left line a nice Crush the part of the car and the front left

NHTSA ID
11654014
Incident
Jul 12, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 10, 2025

My vehicle has 55K miles, and you can not see your headlights shining out front of the vehicle at night. It looks like you only have on running lights. Please note the headlights do not have any problem with lens oxidation.

NHTSA ID
11641818
Incident
Jan 29, 2025
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jun 18, 2024

Nissan had a extended warranty on their headlight assembly. I didn't know this until 2023. I than went to Riverhead Auto Mall and had it tested, they said it passed This was on 11/28/2023. Finally based on my disbelief they agreed to have it retested pro bono at Nissan 112. It did fail the test in May of 2024. I have a daughter with a condition that requires me to drive her to and from work in inclement weather. At night I can barely see and I am putting ourselves and others at risk. They are now claiming the warranty ended in 2024 and they want me to pay half of the replacement cost. My contention is that if the first dealer had done the right thing I wouldn't be in this position.

NHTSA ID
11594981
Incident
Nov 28, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 10, 2024

low beam headlights extremely dim

NHTSA ID
11571149
Incident
Feb 20, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed May 5, 2023

Headlights are continuing to get Dimmer. I was never notified by Nissan regarding the replacement campaign

NHTSA ID
11520545
Incident
Sep 22, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 28, 2023

Headlights are dim. I am aware that there is a settlement in place where Nissan extended the warranty to 6 years. My car is in this warranty period. The headlights are dim and getting worse, I have taken it to the Nissan dealership and they test them and note that there is not a problem, but it is difficult to drive at night and it is a safety issue.

NHTSA ID
11504213
Incident
Jul 14, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 23, 2022

Headlights are to dim to see the road at night. Very dangerous. This has gotten progressively worse. When researching I found their are class action lawsuits about this issue. While there does not appear to be an official recall, I was not notified of the lawsuit and wonder why there is not an official recall.

NHTSA ID
11486143
Incident
Sep 23, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver-side heat would shine dimly without warning while in use. Due to the failure, the contact would have to use her high beam headlights to safely operate the vehicle at night. The contact had reached out to the dealer and was informed that both headlights would need replacement to repair the vehicle. The contact was informed that the parts were on backorder; the vehicle had yet to be serviced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID
11479633
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2022

Class action suit letter received that on car headlights would be replaced as they are very dim. North Plainfield, nj Nissan has said for past 4 months they are on back order. Dangerous situation and I believe they do not want to spend money to comply with class action suit.

NHTSA ID
11478903
Incident
Apr 1, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 22, 2022

There is a headlight system error that pops up on dash

NHTSA ID
11457836
Incident
Feb 1, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 20, 2020

THE LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. I WAS ALMOST IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT (COULDN'T SEE UPCOMING TRAFFIC CIRCLE) AS A RESULT. I HAVE TO RELY ON HIGH BEAMS FOR VISIBILITY WHENEVER POSSIBLE . THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED. I AM POSITIVE THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ID
11310437
Incident
Sep 13, 2019
Mileage
22,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2020

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT DRIVING AT NIGHT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID
11298526
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Mileage
85,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 21, 2019

DIM HEADLIGHTS- BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BUT NO DIFFERENCE. BASICALLY CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AFTER DUSK. BRIGHT LIGHTS WORK FINE BUT THE DIM ARE SO DIM YOU CANY TELL THEY ARE EVEN ON. NO VISIBILITY AT NIGHT- SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ALL INVOLVED.

NHTSA ID
11221697
Incident
May 1, 2019
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 6, 2018

HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. 1ST THE WINDOWS WOULDN'T ROLL DOWN, AND NOW ALL ELECTRICAL FEATURES ON THE VEHICLE DOESN'T WORK ( POWER LOCKS, REAR VIEW CAMERA, TURNING SIGNALS, DOORS DONT LOCK WITH REMOTE, AND CAR DOESNT SHIFT OUT OF PARK UNLESS I USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON). VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND IT HAPPENED ON JULY 6 2018

NHTSA ID
11109943
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
51,144 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .