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Nissan brake light and headlight recalls: what owners should check
These five recalls fall into two camps: brake lights that behave wrongly and headlights aimed wrongly. On the 2019 Altima the brake switch bracket sits in the wrong location, holding the brake switch on, which can allow the vehicle to be shifted out of Park without the brake and roll away. On 2016-2019 Sentras the brake light switch can become contaminated so the brake lights never illuminate at all. For lighting aim, 2019 Titans with LED headlights have incorrect aiming marks, and the 2020 Sentra's right LED headlight may be misaligned — both Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 compliance failures. Finally, 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD and Versa front turn signal bulbs can crack and stop lighting.
Warning signs to watch for
- Brake lights that stay lit even when your foot is off the pedal (2019 Altima)
- Being able to shift out of Park without pressing the brake pedal
- Brake lights that do not come on when you brake, or drivers behind you not reacting
- A front turn signal that does not illuminate on one side
- Weak, glaring or oddly aimed headlight beams at night
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these five notices tells owners to stop driving or park outside, so driving until the repair is acceptable in every case here. The Altima brake switch recall is the one to treat most urgently: a vehicle that can leave Park without the brake can roll unexpectedly. The Sentra brake light recall does not affect braking itself — the hazard is being rear-ended because nobody behind you sees you slowing. The headlight aim and turn signal defects raise crash risk mainly at night or when changing lanes.
What the free repair involves
Repairs vary by defect and all are free. For the 2019 Altima, dealers inspect and install a new brake pedal as needed. Sentras get a new brake light switch plus a protective grommet. Titan LED headlight assemblies are inspected and replaced if necessary, and the 2020 Sentra's right-hand headlight is replaced outright. Cracked front turn signal bulbs are inspected and replaced as needed.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 1 |
| medium | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-13 | Nissan Sentra right headlight may be aimed wrong | medium |
| 2021-06-23 | Nissan Titan and Versa front turn signal bulbs crack | medium |
| 2021-03-03 | Nissan Sentra Brake Lights May Fail to Light | medium |
| 2020-09-11 | Nissan Titan LED headlights have wrong aiming marks | medium |
| 2019-03-25 | Nissan Altima Brake Lights Stay On, Rollaway Risk | high |
Common questions
My Altima's brake lights never go out — is that the recall?
That matches the described defect. The brake switch bracket may sit in the wrong location, keeping the switch on. Besides the lights, it can allow the vehicle to be shifted out of Park without the brake pedal, creating a rollaway risk.
How would I know my Sentra's brake lights have failed?
You would not see it from the driver's seat. The switch becomes contaminated and the circuit never closes, so the lights simply do not illuminate. Ask someone to stand behind the car while you press the pedal, or check a reflection.
Can I just have the headlights re-aimed myself?
The recall remedy is replacement, not adjustment. On 2019 Titans the aiming marks themselves are incorrect and dealers inspect and replace the headlight assemblies; on the 2020 Sentra the right-hand headlight is replaced free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.