2013 Nissan Frontier
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 17 of 48 complaints (35%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 78 in 2012 to 48 in 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 gas-powered vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,900 | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 16–21 | 16–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–19 / 19–23 | 14–19 / 19–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–555 | 423–555 | 427–515 | 425–515 | 425–515 | |
| Complaints filed | 64 | 78 | 48 | 42 | 33 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Nissan Frontier?
Airbags & Restraints: 17 of 48 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates it 17–21 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Nissan Frontier?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 459 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 427 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 492 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 479 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 515 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 498 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · Campaign 14V052000 · Feb 12, 2014
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.