VehicleVerdict

2013 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Nissan Frontier sits mid-pack among Frontier years: 65 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 84, with a single recall and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (15), electrical system (9), and other (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

65

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted836 complaints1998: 146 complaints1999: 106 complaints2000: 224 complaints2001: 155 complaints2002: 152 complaints2003: 92 complaints2004: 89 complaints2005: 750 complaints2006: 836 complaints2007: 699 complaints2008: 187 complaints2009: 44 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 84 complaints2012: 98 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 48 complaints2016: 55 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 39 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 25 complaints2022: 192 complaints2023: 114 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1523%
Electrical System914%
Other69%
Transmission69%
Seat Belts58%
Speed Control58%
Tires & Wheels46%
Engine46%
Brakes46%
Body & Structure23%
Fuel System12%
Lighting12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Steering12%
Trailer Hitch12%

Does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V052000Electrical SystemFebruary 12, 2014 · 13,535 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“On a dark road going 40MPH I hit a large deer on Oct 7. The front end of my truck was damaged. Air bag went off but never inflated, and I smelled smoke briefly. I was able to drive home and in the morning I noted there were two quarter size burn holes in the air bag, which probably explains why the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 10, 2022 · crash

“THE MULTI-SENSING SYSTEM WITH REAR CAMERA FAILED TO DETECT (NO WARNING BEEP SIGNALS) THAT A METAL LIGHT POLE (ON TOP OF A 12 INCH CONCRETE SLAB) WAS BEHIND THE VEHICLE AFTER BACKING OUT (VEER TO LEFT) OF A PARKING SPACE. THERE WERE NO PRE-IMPACT SIGNALS OF THE OBJECT WHEN 10, 5, OR 3 FEET AWAY. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 30, 2014 · crash

“TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE DRIVER AND VEHICLE WERE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MULTIPLE DOCUMENTED FAILURES FOR THIS SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 23, 2015

“THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED AND HAD THIS FIXED VIA A RECALL THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WITH MY 2013 NISSAN FRONTIER”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 25, 2020

“MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT, DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND HIT A PARKED CAR ON THE FREEWAY. HE HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD WITH HIS HEAD THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CUP SHAPED DENT EVEN WITH SEAT BELT ON AND DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED NISSAN, AND WAS DISMISSED. I WAS TOLD BY [XXX], THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 16, 2016 · crash

2013 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2013 Nissan Frontier reliable?

It is close to typical for the Frontier: 65 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (15 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints), other (6 complaints).

Does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2013 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.