YearToAvoid

2013 Nissan Frontier Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 Frontier years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2013 Nissan Frontier has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area (31% of complaints, 15 total), and NHTSA lists 1 recall for an electrical circuit breaker issue.

Complaints
48
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
5 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18.5
16 city / 22 hwy

Top 2013 Nissan Frontier problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags15 (31%)
  2. Electrical System9 (19%)
  3. Engine8 (17%)
  4. Other6 (13%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain6 (13%)
  6. Seat Belts5 (10%)
  7. Brakes4 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (6%)
  10. Fuel System1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly deployed but failed to inflate properly, with owners noting burn holes in the bag material after a crash.
  • Some drivers report the airbag deployed in a collision but still resulted in serious head injury against the windshield.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, with a delay after pressing the pedal followed by a surge of speed.
  • The engine reportedly overheated during highway driving, with antifreeze spilling out and no diagnosis found at the dealer.
  • A fire was reported starting from the fuse box under the hood on the electrical system.
  • The backup camera and sensor system failed to warn of a nearby pole before a rear-end collision.
2013 Nissan Frontier complaints: complaints filed per month5Nov 2013Sep 2014Jun 2015Jul 2016Feb 2018May 2019Aug 2020Aug 2023
63 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2013 to Mar 2026; peak Jul 2016 (5).

2013 Nissan Frontier recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid8064117
2012Avoid8778317
2013Caution6048118.5
2014Good4742218.5
2015Good3333018.5

All Nissan Frontier years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2013 Frontier a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years of the Frontier. It is not among the worst years but has more reported problems than several later years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Nissan Frontier?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 15 complaints (31% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 38,000 miles. Electrical system issues follow with 9 complaints and a median mileage of 51,000.
Does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall (campaign 14V052000) covering 2012-2014 Frontier vehicles built between November 28, 2012, and December 17, 2013, for a circuit breaker orientation issue in the electrical system.
How does the 2013 Frontier compare to other years?
The 2013 model's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than 2011 (80), 2012 (87), 2022 (100), and 2023 (93), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2018, 2020, and 2021, which scored 0, 20, and 7 and were rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Nissan Frontier?
EPA rates the 2013 Frontier at 18.5 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.