The Lemon Index
201220142nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,766 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Jeep Wrangler 1832013 Toyota 4Runner 32013 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Nissan sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 1 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…
- NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT…
- SERVICE INFORMATION Starting with 2010 Model Year, Nissan vehicles have been gradually…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Xterra SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Xterra SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2013" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-xterra/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Nissan Xterra reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,766 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (100%) and engine (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Xterra have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Xterra get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2013 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 100% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works