I got a 2002 maxima, last night I got my xenons pulled off of my car right on my driveway. Has anyone came up with an idea how to secure them? The only idea that I came up with is filling the screws up with glue inside where the key socket is. So far that hasnt worked for me because they just ripped those lights off and the brackets broke off. Also if anyone is up for it, my suggestion is, we should start a class action law suit against Nissan. On top of what we have to pay each time our lights get ripped off they want us to pay an additional $75 for some stupid little kit they came up with for these lights which probably doesnt even work.

I called North America Nissan (1800-NISSAN1) they told me that if enough people call to complain about the defect in the lights that they would do a recall and reimburse the money spent to replace the lights. But until then, they told me im on my own. Which is pretty messed up. This is a serious issue which should be taken care of.

 

If you search the org you'll see about 1 million threads about HID headlights getting stolen.. Everything imaginable has already been thought of. And nothing is effective. There is no real way to prevent HID theft. You can steal the headlights in a matter of 5 secs /side if you break the tabs..

 

There is a class action law suit. If search worked you could find it. Good luck every getting anything out of it though.

 

there is NO lawsuit....I have tried to culminate one but to no avail. No one on here wants to back me either...

I have not found a lawyer who would take this on a class action basis without a retainer.

 

We'd never get anything even if we all backed you. It's a mistake that nissan made that they never could've predicted. I feel for you folks that have lost your HID's or are in an area where it's feasible. It's too bad that there is scum out there that won't get a job and earn an honest living.

 

It's not a problem if you don't live in NE area.
suggestions:
1. get a good alarm with shock sensor installed at the front of the car.
2. alarm with remote paging unit
3. park your car facing out or at a busy intersection

good luck. Xeon is an option on 04 model thus Nissan is over with this design flaw and left 02/03 owners in the dust. I spoke with Nissan and proposed a discount program for people to downgrade to AE headlights. Of course, why would Nissan care ?

People shall start writing letters to Nissan to get their attention instead of complaining at this site.

 

#1 and #2 mean diddly squat once out of range or in a mall (antennas interfere with reception)

#3 for me is an everyday practice...I park always on the main road of the parking lot facing outwards towards traffic.....even if it means walking a mile to the store I do this....

 

my lights have been stolen twice so far, and ive had the car about 5 months.. my question is why hasnt nissan put out a recall or anything like that?

 

recalls cost money. Why would nissan spend money when they don't HAVE TO? As a company there's no reason for them to do so, sad but true fact of business, especially a business the size of Nissan.

 

Because they don't give a ****. That's why. But anyway, did any car manufacturer ever put out a recall for a part for the sole reason that it could be easily stolen? I think we would need to find a legit defect in the headlamps first.

Would be nice If they offered to make AE headlights fit correctly on the 02-03's as an option to deter the goddamm thieves...

 

honestly a recall is generally for a safty defect or a large malfunction

This doesn't qualify either definition. There should be a recall on the freakin hood shudder with a real fix, not "I adjusted it as much as possable, they just do that"

It would be nice if there was a fix, but frankly for the part theives are after and the damage they're willing to do, I don't see how to fix it.

The idea of making some form of an AE light fit would be nice... don/t know how costly though maybe a good idea too. But if I were nissan I wouldn't do a recall on it, too pricey and not necessary for them

 

Agreed. But They should at least consider some options (the AE headlamps...)

 

I like my HIDs.

 

Well I still think we should all still get together and try for a class action lawsuit what do we got to loose except for our HID's. Nissan told me and I qoute again if enough people complain there will be a recall otherwise there will be no action taken. Nissan will start caring if we do something about this.

 

thanks for the answers guys.
i thought recalls would have to do with anything wrong with the car.. not just safety issues. i mean, my thoughts were that if enough people complained about their lights getting stolen, they would actually try to help and actually do something?.. guess im wrong. it just ****es me off, that i have to pay money outta my pocket everytime some lowlife skid wants to steal my sh*t!

 

Nissan is not responsible for the theft of the headlights. People steal wheels/tires, radios, speakers, steering wheels, and all kinds of other ****, but I don't hear anything about a class action lawsuit against manufacturers for that stuff! I know it ****** sucks to have your **** ripped out, but it is not Nissan's fault in any way, shape or form. Is their 02-03 headlight design a good one? IMHO, no, but everyone has an opinion, and Nissan's opinion is that everything is just fine as is. In short, we're screwed without any real type of recourse.

 

get good full coverage insurance?

 

You know what? In my opinion, I think Nissan is at least in part, if not completely, to blame. They shouldn't have put the fuking ballast right behind the headlamp, they should have secured the headlamp somewhat better than the two cheesy plastic straps and they should have encased the headlamps so that the hood wouldn't be pried open so easily to get to them. So, yes, they are at least partly at fault. ...And the reason they designed it that way is to simply cut costs. Wheels, tires, air bags and **** like that has always been known to be stolen - in any car, every day. But this fuking maxima HID business is sure reaming it's owners. Granted, it's only happening in the NE (and cross your fingers about that) but Nissan, as a respectable company should have honorably done something SERIOUS about it, not just offer the new fuking hood latch and make it optional on the '04's. As far as I'm concerned, they SUCK big time. I haven't been hit yet, but the fear of my lights being stolen at any moment with the added body damage is really taking a toll. I use the car daily to go to work and must park in an unguarded spot. God fuking help me I see some ***** near the car trying to get at them.

There, I vented.

 

How about a headlight design that will not work if removed...supposedly works for the radios? Or maybe seperate electronics?

Oh, got mine ripped off last week. $4K worth of damage...sheesh!

 

I would be content if Nissan would offer a factory supported conversion to halogen lights that could be done at the dealership. Sounds like people have done it on their own so i assume it shouldnt take years of research to figure out how. I for one would be willing to pay for this, as long as it maintains my warranty, and I can retain ownership of my HID's or recieve an IOU should i later decide to reinstall them years from now(should HID theft stop or I move out of the area). No recall, no lawsuits. If you are not worried about them getting stolen, you dont have to convert. Hell, if people are willing to pay, Nissan still makes money (It would be OEM parts installed by Nissan mechanics) and we get some peace of mind.

My only suggestion for a "productive" way of having a chance of this happening is for someone to set up an on-line petition that can be forwarded to Nissan NA. The point of this is to demonstrate that there is a logical, cost effective solution that my be supported by "X" number of people. I feel this is better than individuals sending nasty letters and getting a standard response back.

I know people are going to scream that they shouldnt have to pay (I dont either anymore than I dont want to give up my HIDs) but if thats what it takes, then so be it. It would be a lot cheaper than repairing damage from stolen HID's. Maybe insurance can pay for this or even get a discount on our premiums for making them less of a target. I'm sure law enforcement would be behind anything that ends this madness and if the NHTSA is worried about the effects of HID's than I would assume they would support a measure that gets more HIDS off the street

 

QUESTION!!!! If there was a system designed that would give you at least a 50% guarantee that would catch the thieves who stole the lights and the price of the system would be $400. How many of you would purchase such a system?

 

agreed!

btw, when i came home from work today.. i found 2 sets of headlights outside my neighbors house, infront of a tree, haha. i checked them out, and they look to me like they were lights from an 01 or an 02 max.. my neighbors dont know how the hell they got there, but was thinking about keeping them.. just incase my lights get jacked again (knocking on wood) .. but dont know if they'll be able to get installed (i doubt it).. so im probably gonna toss em out cause im sure i can get in a ishtload of trouble by the cops if i get caught with them..

 

tough decision.. only 50% guaranteed?
..i dont think i would.

 

I keep saying this. Fabricate a METAL bracket which surrounds the entire headlight assembly (including the back with all the goodies) which replaces the mounting tabs, then epoxy that **** to the housing, then use antitheft screws.

 

ok guys... thats a good idea... if I cared about my headlights... but frankly if I have my headlights or if they are replaced, I don't care, I don't pay.

Here is the real problem with your solution... you are not going to install it on EVERY SINGLE MAXIMA OUT THERE. It doesn't matter if your car has unstealable headlights. A theif is going to take a bar and pry, maul and distroy the front end of your car reguardless and maybe they won't get your lights or maybe they will. Your car won't look any different than anyone elses so why not try to steal your lights. The damage will surely exceed your insurance deductable of $500 (mine is $250) It costs $300 to paint a piece, and I'm sure they'll screw up more than 1 piece so there you are, in no better position than anyone else except you spent $400 and have your lights (maybe)

 

Gday,
I just bought a 2002 Maxima SE and found this I hop it helps,

I found this at www.nhtsa.com if you go to Service Bulletins for 2002-2003 Nissan Maxima's it gives a fix for the HID lights,

·Replace Headlamp mounting bolts with new tamper resistant Torx bolts.
·Install Self adhesive Protective Pads on Hood Lock Cable.
·Install Hood lock and Hood Lock Cable Protector.
·Install Door Key Cylinder Protector In driver’s door.

***Please don't think I am sticking up for Nissan (as I am not)***

The big reason I got a maxima was the HID Xenon headlights but after reading all the posts and horror stories, I am thinking I might not have got one with them, though I realy do like them.

I would be more than happy to E-mail or PM the file to anyone that would like it it is PDF fotmate so you will need something like adobe to read it.

Take care...

 

I found this link, has anyone ever tried this, maybe this will help.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...Category_Code=

 

What I cant figure out is why everybody thinks that making the HID's on the '04 optional is a good thing. Your increasing the black market for '04 HID's now. Someone that does not have them in their cars will just get them from the black market now. In my opinion the only way to eliminate the black market for the hid's is to flood the market with them. It will get to a point where there is no value in stealing them.

 

It was mentioned that if someone is going to steal your headlights and can't, your car will still be damaged.

My response is that the ammount of damage will be teh same even if the crook gets the headlights, so why let them get what they want? If someone wants your headlights your car is already destined to be damaged, jsut dont let them profit off of it.

There's no way to flood the market with these headlights. A lot of these stolen headlights end up being retrofits on lower end cars.

 

If the HIDs are mass produced so that they will be installed in lower end cars (just like car bags), there is a high probability that HIDs will not be stolen anymore. New technology is expensive and over time if there is a big demand, it will become much cheaper. Look at the VCRs and the DVDs. The long and short of this is that Nissan should be ashamed of itself for cutting corners (i.e. cost) in the design and installation of the HIDs.

 

I agree.

 

I agree with you... I don't want the crooks to get the lights and I don't want them to profit off of it....
However, going through much trouble and expense to just have my car damaged anyway is pointless to me. I don't want to spend the money nor the time unless it has some benefit to me.

IF cheaper aftermarket kids were available then this wouldn't be a problem.

Also, everyone is getting on Nissan for such a bad design... they should be ashamed....

Picture this....
Engineer says ... wouldn;t it be nice to put some of those nice HID lights on the 02 Max?
Manager says....Hmm yeah, but it costs a lot to do that
Engineer says...If i do it this way we can put them on without it costing a fortune...
Manager says... sounds like a good idea.


My point is... I seriously doubt nissan thought it would be this much of a prob when they designed it. I also believe that the intention was to put a luxuary feature on a car that normally would not have it and not increase the price substantially. It may not have worked out perfectly, but I doubt they intended for all this to happen nor thought that it would.