2004 Nissan Altima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Nissan Altima, 2% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was coming out of a parking lot in the mickosukee gaming, and the car failed to be brightly lit so that I could see as I turned . I could not see the wall in front of me and the right side of my car of my 2004 Nissan Altima was damaged.”
NHTSA complaint #10253908, filed 2009-01“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when driving at night with the headlights illuminated, the headlights would not illuminate bright enough to view the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10609428, filed 2014-07, 98,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the headlights were not visible at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there was no recall and the contact would have to pay for the repairs himself. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated there was no recall and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repair. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10480882, filed 2012-10, 98,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Altima. The contact noticed that the brake lights were not working. The owner's manual stated that the failure may be due to low battery power. He purchased a new battery, but the lights still would not illuminate. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they found a blown fuse that was causing the battery to drain and the brake lights not to work. The fuse was repaired. The current and failure mileages were 72,000. Updated 12/12/2007 updated 12/12/07”
NHTSA complaint #10203582, filed 2007-09, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10032306Nov 27, 2013Nissan: exterior lamp fogging. Occasionally water is noticed in the exterior lamps. This is generally not due to a defect. All current exterior lamp assemblies are vented to the…
- 10021508Apr 18, 2007Exterior lamp fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 270 | 28% |
| 2014 | 299 | 27% |
| 2013 | 442 | 19% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 41 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Altima
109 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology