2013 Nissan Maxima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 15%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2013 Nissan Maxima, 15% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
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.
“The dim headlight setting is so dim that car can not be safely operated after dark without turning on the bright light setting. It is a safety hazzard! I have been a mechanic for 30 years and have never seen such poor headlights. I have changed the bulbs but it has made no difference. I have read several foums about the altima model having this same problem. They should be recalled by the manufacturer. They are dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11254981, filed 2019-09, 60,000 miles“The dim headlight setting is so dim that car can not be safely operated after dark without turning on the bright light setting. It is a safety hazzard! I have been a mechanic for 30 years and have never seen such poor headlights. I have changed the bulbs but it has made no difference. I have read several foums about the altima model having this same problem. They should be recalled by the manufacturer. They are dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11130814, filed 2018-09, 41,000 miles“The low beam head lights do not reflect hardly any light on the road at night. It is dangerous as you can not see the road at night. My fog lights give off more light then my low beams. I have replaced the lights and it makes no differnce. I have tried 4 different low beam lights and it makes no difference in the light output. This should be a recall by Nissan, there are many other complaints online regarding this same issue! It's very disappointing that the dealer ship wants 1000 dollars to change the whole light assembly. No other car needs this done, you change a light bulb. …”
NHTSA complaint #11311632, filed 2020-02, 60,000 miles“The dim lights appear not to be on when driving at night or early morning. I have to drive with my bright lights on. I thought the bulb case was cloudy but that is not the situation. The dim lights simply do not shine as they should. This is very dangerous to myself and other drivers that I approach. I thought I was the only owner of a Nissan Maxima with this problem but, I am not. My friend is having the exact same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11397891, filed 2021-02“I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck I have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better I have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it has not improved anything I think it is a very dangerous thing in could call someone to get hurt because no one can see I've not been pulled over by the police or anything but I have to ride with my headlights on bright and I know it blinds people sometimes I think there needs to be a recall because I have a lot of…”
NHTSA complaint #11706145, filed 2025-12Related service bulletins
- 10235698Apr 5, 2023HEADLAMP, FOG LAMP, OR REAR COMBINATION LAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10141439May 16, 20182009 ? 2014 MAXIMA DOOR MIRROR TURN SIGNAL REPLACEMENT This bulletin has been amended. The PARTS INFORMATION section has been updated. No other change were made. Please discard…
- 10138264Apr 20, 2018FOG LAMP AND/OR HEADLAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended to add Fog Lamps and modify one step in the flow chart on page 3. No other changes have been made. Please discard…
- 10127477Nov 30, 20172009 ? 2014 MAXIMA DOOR MIRROR TURN SIGNAL REPLACEMENT IF YOU CONFIRM If you confirm the turn signal in the left or right side door mirror assembly needs to be replaced. ACTION…
- 10192750Feb 26, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Occasionally customers may notice water vapor or fog in the headlamps. The information, illustrations, and flow chart in this bulletin are provided to help…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2014 | 19 | 20% |
| 2013 | 9 | 15% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% |
| 2003 | 26 | 13% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2013 Nissan Maxima
24 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Nissan Maxima
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