YearToAvoid

2013 Nissan Xterra Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

20/100

#9 most-complained of 11 Xterra years

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

The 2013 Nissan Xterra has 4 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #9 highest of 11 Xterra model years. The most reported problem area is engine (2 complaints, 50% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 1 injury.

Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
16 city / 20 hwy

Top 2013 Nissan Xterra problems

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

  1. Engine2 (50%)
  2. Brakes1 (25%)
  3. Fuel System1 (25%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (25%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (25%)
2013 Nissan Xterra complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2014Sep 2018Feb 2019Jun 2019
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2014 to Jun 2019; peak Nov 2014 (2).

2013 Nissan Xterra recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2013 Nissan Xterra fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
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 Xterra years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good4024217
2012Good3016217
2013No verdict204017
2014Best010017
2015Best1010017

All Nissan Xterra years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Nissan Xterra a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Nissan Xterra ranks #9 of 11 among Xterra model years (Complaint Index 20/100). It has 4 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Xterra?
The most reported problem areas are engine (2 complaints), brakes (1 complaints), and fuel system (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 54,575 miles.
Does the 2013 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2013 Nissan Xterra in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Nissan Xterra?
EPA rates the 2013 Nissan Xterra at 17 MPG combined (16 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.