The Lemon Index2013 Nissan Frontier.
The 2013 Nissan Frontier is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 31, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 1 recall, and it gets 17 to 21 mpg combined. The best Nissan Frontier year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 48 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Frontier year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 59K miles on the car (37 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 1
- electrical 2014
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 128 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…
- SERVICE INFORMATION Design and process changes have been made to improve battery voltage at…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The passenger air bag if faulty, and sets off a light which indicates no protection for any passengers in the front seat.
2013 Nissan Frontier owner · NHTSA complaint 10788394
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Frontier year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Frontier problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (21%), airbags (21%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have?
1 safety recall (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Frontier get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Frontier problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 11,200 and 59,800 miles. The middle report was at 27,000 miles, from 37 complaints.
Does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Nissan Frontier cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Frontier year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works