2013 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Nissan Frontier has 48 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th of 21 model years with a Good verdict. Airbags are the top problem area at 31% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 19%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Frontier years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 48
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2013 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags15 (31%)
- Electrical System9 (19%)
- Engine8 (17%)
- Other6 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (13%)
- Seat Belts5 (10%)
- Brakes4 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear camera and sensing system failed to warn of a nearby object before backing into it, with the alert only sounding after impact.
- Airbags deployed in a crash but failed to inflate properly, with burn holes found in the bag afterward.
- Some owners reported the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating or lunging forward at very low speed while braking.
- A fire reportedly started under the hood near the fuse box while the truck was being driven.
- Brake pedal reportedly went to the floor with reduced stopping power in at least one case.
- The frame reportedly rubbed against and damaged the spare tire on one truck.
2013 Nissan Frontier recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V052000Feb 12, 2014Electrical System13,535 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a circuit breaker may have been installed incorrectly causing the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outward, potentially contacting a metal bolt located on the A-pillar.
Risk: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the circuit breaker orientation. If the circuit breaker orientation is incorrect, dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2013 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 48 complaints and a complaint index of 40 for the 2013 Frontier, earning a Good verdict and ranking 13th out of 21 model years, better than most other Frontier years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Nissan Frontier?
- Airbags are the top complaint area, making up 31% of all complaints, with 15 reports and 3 linked crashes.
- Does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 14V052000) covers a circuit breaker orientation issue in the electrical system; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2013 Frontier compare to other Frontier years?
- With a complaint index of 40, the 2013 model ranks better than years like 2005-2008 and 2022-2023, which carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes from 75 to 100.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2013 Frontier?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints for the 2013 Frontier is 27,000 miles, though airbag issues showed up at a median of 38,000 miles.