Verdict
2013 Nissan Frontier: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2013 Nissan Frontier — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most truck.
Owners filed 48 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 73% of 2013 trucks. Air Bags leads the reports (25%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2013 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
48
Reports to NHTSA, 2013
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
18.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 73% of 2013 trucks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2013 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (25% of 48 reports), followed by electrical system (15%).
+ 8 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11488621, ODI 10945719, ODI 10883756, ODI 11724649, ODI 11588084.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Electrical SystemDec 2014 · 14V052000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2013 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2013 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2013 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
2013 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 19 | 23 | 21 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 16 | 22 | 19 |
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 5-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 5-spd | 16 | 22 | 18 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 5-spd | 15 | 21 | 17 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2013 Nissan Frontier: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2013 Nissan Frontier?
Owners filed 48 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Nissan Frontier — fewer complaints than 73% of comparable 2013 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2013 Nissan Frontier?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (25% of complaints) and electrical system (15%).
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2013 Nissan Frontier, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Frontier get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Nissan Frontier between 17 and 21 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.