2013 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor located in front of the radiator had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the Part Number: 98581-9BD8A; had been on backorder for approximately 6-12 months. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Nissan Frontier. The vehicle was purchased in a private sale. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 98,107, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 183,101. The Carfax report and the last report were in 2022.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2025
“I felt like I was loosing control of my steering it was so scary I took my car to the closest service place which was Meineke which was 3 months ago well the same problem is back with my steering wheel and definitely isn't safe. I am reporting this to make sure that there isn't a safety issue I should be aware of on how to resolve this”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 bag did not deploy. There was absolutely no evidence of fire under the hood, in the cab, etc. I understand that some kind of explosive is used to "project" the airbag but it looks like it may have also damaged it. What to do?”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2022
“One morning I arrived at work and my seat belt would not disengage after struggling with it for 10 minutes I had to cut it to get out I had no prior problems with seatbelt until that morning I took my vehicle to nissan but they are saying they will not cover it apparently because I had cut it and they are also saying that something could of been stuck in the locking mechanism u assure you there was not it's an excuse they are using to not pay for it if I had been in wreck or fire I could have died .”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2020
“The electronic control module went out on my vehicle after only 60,000 miles. I tried every possible solution such as replacing sensors, replaced spark plugs, crank and shift sensors, etc until my local nissan dealership ran a diagnostic and determined it to be the ecm. They found it strange to have the ecm go out so quickly. My truck was running fine but then it slowly started to give out when I would try to start it. I have a manual transmission. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2020
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“While the vehicle is running, the airbag warning light on the dashboard flashes, whether or not there is a passenger in the passenger seat. There was no damage to the vehicle or any initiating factor that I can determine. One day when I turned the vehicle on, the warning light also turned on. The light does not turn off during the operation of the vehicle. The vehicle is under 40,000 miles.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“I have issues with the postive terminal coming lose on my nissan frontier on various occasions. One was while driving. My safety and others have been put at risk due to nissans loose cable. I almost hit a family of four with my truck.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2018
“Takata recall. Dash light for air bag flashes while driving with or without someone in passenger seat. When starting vehicle air bag light comes on and then starts flashes.did not take to garage yet.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Frontier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2013 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 30,000 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.