Headlights Problems of Nissan Maxima - part 2

The headlights to a 2003 Nissan Maxima have been stolen on two separate occasions. On both occssions the thiefs bent the internal metal frame that mounts the bumper to the car to provide access to the headlight from below. This frame is a sheet metal stamping that can easily be bent by applying a small amount of a persons body weight to the structure. The sheet metal construction of the fender and hood also allow a thief to gain access to the headlight by forcibly bending back these structures. The plastic bracket that houses the headlight and mounts it to the frame of the car is shattered by prying it from the frame with a tool. This plastic structure is not sufficiently strong enough to deter a thief from stealing the headlight. There is an additional sheet metal structure that mounts the plastic headlight housing to the frame of the car. This structure has an electrical box attached to it. In both cases of theft this structure was forcibly bent back to access the rear of the headlight for removal. This structure too is not strong enough to prevent a thief from forcibly gaining access to the headlight. It is worth mentioning that the above mentioned structures were compromised so easily, this vehicle's armed, properly functioning, factory equipped alarm system was not set off during the theft. After the first occurrence, I brought the car to poughkeepsie Nissan for them to install the 'anti-theft device'. I don't know if or what was done but obviously it did not deter the thief(s). I have been financially burdened by this. Not only do I have to pay a deductible but have to rent a car.

See all problems of the 2003 Nissan Maxima 🔎.

Nissan knew since at least September 2002 that thieves were targeting the xenon headlamps in Maximas, they failed to inform consumers purchasing 2002 and 2003 Maximas, as well as existing owners and lessees, of the risk of theft of the xenon headlamps, and failed to inform owners and lessees of the cars of the availability of the anti-theft kit. , repairs for the 3 thefts have cost over $7000 within an 8 month time frame. Nissan should be held responsible for a faulty design that is costing consumers thousands of dollars each day in either insurance premium increases or headlight replacement. The company has redesigned the xenon high intensity headlights for the 2004 model. And they now offer a model with halogen instead of xenon. I propose an investigation as to why Nissan corp has not recalled these cars and replaced the xenon lights with a more reasonable lighting system at their expense.

Moisture developed in the headlights which could cause the headlights to malfunction at anytime. Dealership refused to inspect the vehicle to find the cause of the moisture.

See all problems of the 2002 Nissan Maxima 🔎.

The xenon headlights were stolen. Headlights could be removed in just a matter of minutes. Consumer navigated into the NHTSA web and found many complaints on the same issue.

On March 21, the headlights on my Nissan Maxima were stolen for the second time. The first time it happened few months ago. It's really difficult to pay a $500 deductible every time the headlights are going to be stolen. I think it's going to continue all the time. If I knew the headlights were such a target for thieves, I would have never bought the Maxima.

I had the datadot anti-theft device that Nissan came out with installed to prevent the headlights assembly theft problem. And guess what, they still stole the right side. The good thing is that the transformer was bolted to the frame of the car and was not stolen, the bad things is they caused more damage to the finder/hood and front bumper not only that, but a portion of the headlight assembly stayed in the car the damage was $2400. 00 for one head light with body work. You cant use your turn signals if a headlight is missing very very unsafe and Nissan should be held responsible for this design.

Hid headlights stolen from 2003 Nissan Maxima. Police, insurance company, and repair shop all indicated that this is a frequent occurrence specific to this vehicle. This is poor vehicle design and manufacturer should develop a solution and recall and correct the condition. Dealer installed an additional alarm for headlights at a cost of $400 to me. The alarm failed to function.

Headlights were stolen twice. Headlights could be stolen in just a matter of minutes. Vehicle had no insurance to cover stolen parts.

Headlights were stolen from the vehicle. Damage was done to the electrical system/hood and bumper. The brackets holding each $724 light were made of plastic and could easily be snapped or broken.

I lease a 2002 Nissan Maxima. This car has a known issue regarding its headlights. The issue is 1) the headlights are very expensive 2) they are, therefore, well-liked by thieves and 3) they are very easy to steal. As a result, they are stolen frequently. One headlight assembly was stolen from my car last week. The car is not roadworthy without it. Blinkers don't work. If one has no choice but to drive to a body shop, if the hour is late, if one is in an unsafe neighborhood, the car must be driven in such condition. This is a design defect that should have caused Nissan to recall this model long ago.

I hope Nissan would take my headache away by taking back their garbage 2002 Maxima, because this car is a piece of garbage and Nissan should be a shamed of themselves to manufacture a $750. 00 light with two plastic brackets that my 7 year old son can break out of the car within (30 seconds yes 30 seconds) my xeon light has been stolen five times (5) from January, my car has sit in the Nissan repair ship for about six months out of the year. Could Nissan explain this or try to comprehend this problem that it's customers are going trough, do they even care, Nissan make from me alone 1,500. 00 x 5 = 7,500. 00 not to mention the other thousand of people that is going trough the same problem. Nissan should be sued to fix this problem, or refund the deductibles for their manufacturing defects that was design for theft. My headache is not going away until I get rid of the car or sue Nissan to solve this problem all Nissan Maximas 202-2003 owners should sue Nissan and maybe they will do something or all come together and file a class auction suit against Nissan please! please! please!!! do so ASAP. I actually went and bought infrared cameras to monitor my car so maybe I can catch who is stealing the lights, this is really bad thanks for listening.

2k2 hid theft. Front lights. Hood, grill, electrical, fender and bumper damage.

Both hid headlights (xenon) were stolen from my 2003 Nissan Maxima. The dealer where I bought the car refuse to replace the headlights with those of the 2001 model. I found a dealership that installed the halogen headlights of the 2001 Maxima on my car. Nissan's consumer affairs department refused to consider this problem as a design flaw and offers no help to owner to secure these headlights that are so easily stolen.

Consumer stated the vehicle had a design defect which make it easy for the headlights to be stolen by just "popping" them out. There was an excessive amount of space between headlamp assembly and vehicle's frame. Any object can be inserted in the space to dislodge the headlamp.

I have a 2003 Nissan Maxima and the headlights where stolen. Nissan has made the headlights to easy to take.

The head lamps (headlights) were stolen twice. Each head light was $800. 00. The dealer stated they could be removed easily. The consumer stated this is a poor design.

Vehicle's headlight and headlight assemblies were stolen. The consumer felt that a recall should be issued and requested a reimbursement of all monies accrued due to the repair.

Both my headlights were stolen for the second time on 4/28/03.

The headlights were stolen on two different occasions. The consumer stated Nissan should assume responsibility for this defect.

Hid headlights were stolen. Took less than 10 seconds for thief to steal headlights.

Headlight theft. Headlights stolen out of my 2003 Nissan Maxima se. The way this system is designed it takes thieves under 2 minutes to steal these headlights. Mine have been stolen once and it is costing me/insurance $2,900 to fix.

Flaw in the design of the factory alarm system allows it to be easily disabled. Flaw/defect in the design of hid headlights in the 2002-03 Nissan Maxima. The lights are easily pried off the car with a crowbar. Criminals can steal them in less than 30 seconds. Anti-theft kit made available is also defective. Access to engine compartment is gained with a screwdriver or crowbar. Risk of driver injury is increased because of this.

Passenger hid light stolen and wires cut. Literally took thieves minutes, perhaps seconds.

I have a 2002 Nissan Maxima. Its head light has been stolen twice in the past 6 months, once in ridgefield park, NJ and the other in west paterson, NJ. Both cases, they popped out the grill then popped head lights from side. The rumor I heard was that some dealer had 14 pairs of Maxima's head lights stolen. I have been searching internet forum, listening to mechanics, and searching places to gather information regarding this matter and found out that these head lights can be stolen within few minutes. In fact, on second time, 2 Maxima's in same parking lot had head lights stolen within matter of minutes as witness recalled. I have spoken to a Nissan dealer and they said, "(they) provide anti-theft device for such but won't be affective since it's a different type of hood latch. " and, I have to pay for it. I have another vehicle with hid. To take hid head lights out of this vehicle, mechanic has to remove bumper, few steel beams, and lots of screws including hidden ones. It would take more than an hour. 2002 & 2003 Nissan Maxima's head lights are too easy to steal which costs consumers time and money to replace. For example, it took more than 3 weeks to repair since parts are out of stock due to increasing number of stolen head lights and it cost insurance company over $2,500 plus rental car which totals more than $3,500. I will be glad to see Nissan designs a anti-theft device that would make stealing head lights much harder and distribute it at their expense.

Head lights easily stolen on Nissan Maxima 2002, 2003 I have a 2002 Maxima se and the other day my head lights were stolen while the car was parked outside my mother in law's house. I found out this has been an on going problem with this vehicle and Nissan isn't telling anyone about this problem when purchasing this vehicle tha the way the lights are connected they are easily stolen and will be an on going problem as long as you own this vehicle. Nissan will retro fit new lights at the owner's expense about $300. 00, why should the owner have to pay for something that Nissan has created by connecting the head lights in this manner??.

Vehicle head lights were stolen from a 2003 Nissan Maxima.

Problems with theft of vehicle's headlights. Vehicle was vandalize three times for the headlights. After the second incident, an anti-theft device was installed. After the third incident, the manufacturer offered a $500. 00 incentive towards a trade in. Consumer suggested Nissan give him another vehicle without the headlights, refund his money, or recall the vehicles due to poor assembly. The dealership that purchased the vehicle from the consumer would make a reasonable deal.

Xenon hid headlights were stolen on the 2nd night I owned this car. Apparently this is a huge problem. The problem lies in the design of the headlights. The hood can be opened without any access to the inside of the car. Once the hood is opened, 2 bolts are all that attach the headlights to the car. An eyewitness claims the thieves had the headlights removed in under 2 minutes. Nissan understands the problem and has designed some attachments to prevent the hood from being opened from the exterior. The kit costs ~$350 to install.

The hid headlights on my 2002 Nissan Maxima gle were stolen at about 12. 30 in the afternoon while I was visiting a friend in downtown newark, NJ. I took the car to the nearest dealer, Nissanworld of springfield, NJ. While there I met other 6 other Maxima owners who had the same experience in other parts of NJ. The service manager told us that 48 other Maximas in hillside, NJ had their hid headlights stolen. Nissan ought to do something about this. Some owners had their hid headlights stolen more than once. They have since been replaced but at additional insurance cost.

I had my xenon hid headlights stolen the week before christmas. It seems that if the assembly around the drivers side door handle is popped out slightly, the contacts underneath can be shorted and both windows lowered. Once in, it only takes a few minutes to take the lights. It's not the lights themselves that they are after, rather the hardware that powers the lights. Once they have the hardware they can put it in any car. Had I known that these lights were such a hot item, I never would have bought the car. Nissan is aware of the problem so they have provided repair facilities with repair kits to make the turn around time shorter. But that does nothing to the feeling of having your car violated. I drive in fear now. I can't go to the movies. If I go to the mall I have to sit in the car and send the wife in to do the shopping. Now that the weather is getting warm again I worry even more. I try to make sure that I have at least $500 (deductible) on a credit card somewhere for the next time this happens. Good luck to you all.

Theft of 2002 Nissan Maxima xenon headlights and grill causing over $3500 of damage. I believe that faulty Nissan design has lead to widespread theft of these lights. According to local police, headlights can be stolen in one minute or less. Nissan has turned a deaf ear to complaints other than "theft deterrent kit" which will not prevent would-be thief from damaging vehicle in attempt to steal lights. I believe Nissan has responsibility to correct this awful situation.

I have had the xenon hid headlights of my vehicle stolen three times over the past 6 months. I implore anyone even considering purchasing a 2002 or 2003 Maxima to reconsider. This is a marked car, and my attempts to gain the manufacturer's attention have failed. I hope if thieves take the lights again, that they steal the whole car, and relieve me of this curse.

Due to Nissan's bad design of the 2003 Maxima model, the xenon hid headlights could be removed from a locked car within less than 30 seconds. As a result the driver of the car is at risk.

Head lights were stolen from the vehicle. Damage was done to the electrical system, hood and bumper because thief knew that there was no motion sensor alarm. The brackets holding each $724 light is made of plastic and can easily be snapped/broken. The anti-theft kit doesn't do anything because it doesn't fix the issue that the lights can still be removed by breaking the bracket without opening the hood. The horn wiring was also removed because of its easy accessibility through the grill.

"my 2002 Maxima has caused me soooo much headaches since I purchased it ! the head lights are too easily stolen ,I have been a victim of these stupid lights twice. I have call Nissan north America, Nissan consumer affair,the dealer. . Still contnues to sellthe car, without informing the cutomer/consumer about the serious problems these lights are causing consumers. . . . I just want Nissan to allow me to change the headlight housing and put the conventional 2001 headlight without voiding my warranty. I no longer desire to posses these hid xenon lights. I don't condone Nissan , because the sale pereson new about the light nightmare. , and never , mention anything. I would have appreciated his honesty rather then the car. What are their priorities. ? not a happy customer . . . . . . . . . . . I will continue inform my family, friends, employees,and any one I come in contact with interested in purchasing a Nissan vehicle this needs to be resolved immediatelly!!!!.