The metal brackets actually go under the light housing and are anchored to the frame. Looking at the tech installing it, it is no longer as easy as popping the housings out with a crowbar. It can still be done, but the housings would be destroyed. I know you guys will say this doesn't matter since they just go after the bulbs and ballasts, but still, the longer the thief has to take, the more chance he'll get caught. The only problem is more damage to hood and fenders if a thief really wants the lights.

Here is the letter Nissan will be sending out to 02-03 Maxima owners.

Dear Maxima Owner,

Nissan and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) have some important information about protecting your Maxima and helping to fight crime. Please read this letter carefully.

Why you have recieved this letter

Our records show that you own a 2002 or 2003 Maxima. Nissan is working with NICB and various law enforcement agencies in certain areas in the Northeast United States to help reduce incidents of thefts of headlights from these vehicles. The headlights use an advanced technology Xenon lighting system that has been targeted by criminals in some major metropolitan areas in New York and New Jersey. Vehicles with Xenon lighting made by other companies have also been affected.

Nissan has worked with law enforcement to develop a program to help reduce the chance of headlight theft on the Maxima and to help catch those who participate in these crimes.

Nissan's theft deterrent and police support program:

Nissan has developed a three-point program to assist law enforcement and to reduce the chance that your Maxima will be the target of headlight theft.

First, new securing devices for the headlights have been designed to help
discourage theft. Your Nissan dealer wil place these on your vehicle
at no charge.
Second, at the same time the securing devices are installed, a new type of
identification technology called "DataDots" will be applied to the headlights.
these will have a unique identifying number that links your VIN. Not only
should this help track thefts, but also help in the prosecution of those who
are caught with your property. In addition, "DataDots" stickers will be
applied to the headlights and front door windows so thieves will know they
risk being caught and be less likely to target your car.
Finally, Nissan is implementing this in areas around New York and New Jersey
to reduce the likelihood that these crimes will move to other areas where
they are not now occuring. Not only are customers in these states being
contacted, but also Maxima owners in CT, MA and eastern PA will recieve
this letter.

No program will eliminate all auto-related crime, but Nissan, NICB and local law enforcement agencies believe these steps should help reduce theft and catch those who are responsible.

What you can do to help.

Schedule an appointment with your Nissan dealer at your earliest convenience to have the securing devices and "DataDots" placed on your Maxima. There will be no charge to you for this service. It should take about 1 1/2 hours, although your dealer may require your vehicle for a longer time based on work schedule.

And consider this question from police: If your neighbor participates in this program but you don't, whose Maxima will more likely be at risk? Help us help you and your community to make this program a success.

Other tips on protecting your vehicle from theft:

The enclosed brochure from the NICB provides additional useful information about vehicle theft and how to prevent it.

If you have questions:

If you have questions about this program, you may contact Nissan Consumer Affairs Office.

Thank you for doing your part.

 

Thanks for the post. Although the fix is definitively not theft proof, it is a step in the right direction. Perhaps passing a law which allows the police to ticket and fine those cars with non-OEM HIDs will also help in reducing theft. For example, a Honda Accord with Acura TL HIDs (I heard the HIDs fit nicely on both cars) or a pre 2002-2003 Maxima with HIDs. Just a thought.

 

i havent received a letter about this!

i want it done to my car!

 

Does the theft deterent TSB apply to all 02-03 owners? I read a thread about a week ago stating that the TSB will only apply to those in NY, NJ, PA, & Conn.

Would someone notice a difference from just glancing at it?

 

can you post pics?

 

It should apply to all 02-03 owners. HID's can be robbed anywhere, any time, at any state.

Pedro

 

Where exactly did they put the "datadots" on the windows? Does it go inside or outside?

 

yes exactly. can be. but will it? I highly doubt it will in arkansas or kentucky.

Nissan does not want to waste more money than needed on this. This theft is mainly concentrated in this region (meaning nyc and suburbs of nyc)

Have there been thefts in FL or CA? probably but minuscule...it is not economical for Nissan to recall all the 02/03 maximas in the US for a thing that is concentrated in one area for now...if it grows I am sure Nissan will come out with more

 

The DataDots compound does not go on the windows. It is applied on the light housings, back of the bulbs, all over the ballasts and in the area where the VIN numbers are on the door frames. This way, the DataDots number can be linked to your car if someone steals the lights and is caught.

 

Nismo, please clarify whether the fix makes the Max look substantially different in outward appearance from an unfixed Max. If the difference is subtle and not easily identifiable by the naked eye, it may not be effective enough as a deterrent.

 

This says the front door windows.

 

Warning stickers. "Protected by DataDots." They go on the sides of each light and on the front windows. Without the warning stickers, the lights don't look any different. If I pop the hood and look, the plastic mounts on top are still there, the stronger metal mount is on the bottom of the housings. I didn't design this fix, I'm just sharing it with you fellow .org members. The letters have not gone out yet, but the parts are at your local dealer now. I just happen to work at a Nissan dealership so they used my car to try it out.

 

When i stopped at the dealership last weekend the guy told me about the brackets and how i should "invest" in them......do you think i can tell him it's a TSB and the put in on? I'm taking the car in Saturday morning for the other recalls on the car. Worth a shot right? What do you guys think?

 

You sure he didn't mean that anti-theft kit that you can buy? This kit is completely free of charge. I would wait until you get the letter to make an appointment.

 

Call Nissan at 1-800-NISSAN1

They reference the Anti-theft kit for Maxima HID lights specifically in the recording for the menu. I think you press 1 for them and some other stuff.

 

Oh great, just as I put in AE lights a month ago. If this helps to reduce HID theft then I might just do it

 

Since this is a TSB for 02's and up...can anybody tell me what the materials cost is? I have an 01 and want the same protection, but "aint no way" I am going to get Nissan to pay for it. So I need some ideas on cost and how complicated it is to install. This isnt their cheesy simulated "hood guard" is it?

Thanks!

BTW, I would support NON-OEM HIDs law enforcement. But for OEM buckets on an earlier model would be harder to prove and require more deligence on the police departments...doubt that that will happen.

 

Sorry, thought the kit was what you had put on. I must have misunderstood, i thought you had the kit that's already out put on your car for free. I'll call Nissan and see if this TSB is or can be put on my car down here in Florida.

 

I got the letter in today mail. Just to let you they aleady send them out. I think do this tsb later because I don't want be a gunni pig or they messing up the light. practice makes perfect!

 

Got the letter in the mail today. Think I'll try to get it done next week when I go in for service.

 

well, if you look at it the other way, if you are one of the first customers, they will pay more attention to the process. If you go in when everybody is, they may just do a sloppy job... Either way, nothing is gonna stop those POS thieves. Unless they pass a law that its legal to shoot someone stealing from your car, nothing works...

 

Just got my letter today. I'll be making an appointment sometime soon.

 

ahhh i want to go home and do it! I need to make an appointment anyway...

my drivers seat doesnt move back and forth, my left Bose speaker is out, my hood rattles, lack of power tsb -- and another 1 or 2 just cant remember

i will post pics when i get it done

 

i cant believe nissan is stepping up to the plate! took them long enough though...

 

this is nothing to the thiefs. . . it'll just do more damage to the car now....give it a couple months, you'll see....PLUS: NISSAN likes the idea that the lights get stolen so much because they probably sold more of these lights in a year than they would in 4 years.....just my .02

also why enforce the law to hid's on other cars??? It's kind of like saying if you have hid lights on your car and it didn't come with them YOU STOLE THEM...many of these lights have been bought either online or from a thief but it's like with everything else out there....cd players, rims, etc.... my best friend works for a body shop and he must get at least 3 maximas a month that have been in an accident and the headlight has been broken but the bulbs and the ballasts are good....he takes them out and the shop keeps them.....half the people that work for the shop drive on 02-03 maxima hid's in their car.....including me

 

This is total BS that it is only for the certain areas. So if mine get jacked and Nissan knowingly did not do anything to help prevent them because I live in the wonderful state of TX, they should be held liable. I want all the protection I can get. It is only a matter of time.

 

I agree with you 100%. I would take my car in and tell them to do it. Its not fair that they are only doing in the NE, but it is the NE mainly NY and NJ that the lights are getting jacked. maybe eventually they will do it in other states?

 

I just got my letter. I think I'll wait until I get the recall for the sensors. Besides I have a Stillen air filter and will probably take it off before I go so they won't give me the "voided warranty" bu11sh1t

 

i got the anti-hid theft kit from courtesy-nissan.com. is this what the dealer installs as part of the tsb?

 

I just got this letter today 11/6/03

 

got my letter today also but want to wait till that sensor recall is issued. I don't want to have to go back to stocke twice!

 

But what happens if say someone from Kansas drives to NY/NJ? Won't they be even easier prey with out of state tags that basically advertises "come get my hids, I'm not from the NE so Nissan didn't give me the theft deterrent kit". Hmmm, Nissan might be setting themselves up for a few lawsuits here.

 

I got this letter today and I live in Buffalo, NY - about 400 miles from NYC. I guess they are doing this TSB for the whole NY and NJ state...