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Nissan Maxima: Stolen Headlights!!

229 messages,  Last post on Dec 31, 2010 at 4:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Maxima, Lights

Messages Page 1 of 23

#1 of 229 Stolen Headlights!! by ranti

Jul 09, 2003 (11:37 am)

I have a 2003 Nissan Maxima and live in the NE area. My headlights have been stolen twice in the past 5 months. These are very expensive to replace and I am afraid my insurance company will drop me.
 
Has anyone had a similar experience?

#2 of 229 ranti by tidester

Jul 09, 2003 (11:46 am)

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
 
I'm not sure what the appropriate place is for this discussion. Maybe we should start up a "car crimes" section someplace!
 
You might consider posting your message in one of these discussion: Aftermarket headlights/ bulbs (halogen, xenon, etc.), Nissan Maxima or Nissan Maxima Problems.
 
tidester, host

#3 of 229 pretty common by bretfraz

Jul 09, 2003 (6:29 pm)

HID's off Max's are hot property. I think there are locks or retainers of some kind available for them. Forget the dealer, look in the aftermarket. Do a web search for them, I'm sure you'll find stories from others who've had their stolen too.

#4 of 229 Xenon Headlights by carz10

Jul 14, 2003 (3:25 pm)

I got a letter in the mail from my local precinct in New York City. It was a Service bulletin from Nissan about a Xenon Headlamp Theft Deterrent Kit. The reference # is NTB02-117. Description Anti-Theft Kit Part # 65601-6Y300 I called one dealer an was quoted $250 and another quoted $350 but said it is really not that good. I am still looking into this. One other little detail the bulletin says it is not covered under warranty.I an still looking into this. If I find out more will post it.

#5 of 229 Headlights by rmurphy197

Jul 14, 2003 (4:27 pm)

It really is a shame that Nissan isn't stepping up and taking responsibility for what amounts to a design flaw. I've had my 2003 GLE for a couple of months now and am resigned to the fact I can't take it to public places. In one weekend alone at the local mall six sets of headlights were stolen.
The insurance companies have got to be putting pressure on Nissan to correct the situation - they can't go on paying these claims.

#6 of 229 Me too -- stolen headlights 3rd time by bsull99

Jul 14, 2003 (7:01 pm)

I own a 2002 maxima, in the last 9 months they stole the lights twice the dealer put in some kind of kit and yesterday they tried to get the light again. The kit stopped them but I guess they were frustrated and the smashed in the fenders on both side more body damage than both other time. I have a question has Nissan done anything for anybody. Their consumers affairs says it the owners issue, we all know its a design flaw. Has anyone be able to get any assistance from nissan on this issue other than them telling you to get alarm ?? Thank You

#7 of 229 I'm sorry, where's the flaw??? by bretfraz

Jul 14, 2003 (7:56 pm)

Think of all the things on the exterior of your car that could be stolen. The only reason headlights are being stolen is because their is a market for them. I don't understand how an illegal black market for stolen headlights is a design flaw. Its not like headlights from other cars cannot be as easily stolen.
 
The Toyota Camry is the #1 stolen car in America. Is the Camry a flawed design? Should Toyota discontinue the Camry simply because thieves want to steal it?
 
In the 80s I used to know guys who would steal Corvettes for their engines and transmissions. In those days the Camaro and Firebird had wimpy 5.0L V8's but there was a black market for the more powerful 5.7L V8 out of the Vette. I knew a guy who "placed an order" for a Corvette drivetrain to put in his IROC Camaro. The order was "filled" in about a week and a couple weeks after that the IROC was on the road with a Corvette engine and tranny. Should Chevrolet have stopped production on Corvettes simply because Camaro owners wanted their engines?
 
I could go on and on (80s Toyotas with plastic door locks that were easy to pop; VW Golf and Jetta stereos that were super easy to steal; Caddy Escalade grills and nosepieces stolen for Tahoes and Suburbans...). I agree the factory should help and it sounds like they're trying. But the key here is to find a antitheft kit that makes the headlights unstealable. Even then there will be people trying to snag them. Nissan can help with the headlights but they can't stop the black market.

#8 of 229 Bret - by zueslewis

Jul 14, 2003 (9:13 pm)

you forgot about Camaro, Trans Am, Corvette, 300ZX and Supra t-tops and targa roof panels....

#9 of 229 by prayerfor

Jul 15, 2003 (1:39 pm)

Bret --
HID headlights are being stolen because there is a black market for them (naturally). Many cars have HIDs, yet the Maxima is the target of choice because of the way their headlights are designed... the design itself facilitates easy theft. That points the finger at Nissan.

#10 of 229 My question by bigfur

Jul 20, 2003 (7:52 pm)

is how are they getting the headlights? are they smashing a window to open the hood or what? or is there a way to get it out without entering the car itself?

Messages Page 1 of 23

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