2013 Nissan FRONTIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
27,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 48 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 15 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Wheels | 3 |
Air Bags: 15; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Seat Belts: 5; Engine: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Wheels: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 9; 2015: 9; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10552402 · 2013-11-15 (November 15, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN THE CONSUMER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCATED TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, HE OCCASIONALLY HIT …
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10553441 · 2013-11-25 (November 25, 2013)
2013 NISSAN FRONTIER CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE MALFUNCTION AND WANTS DEALERSHIP TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10553441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559887 · 2014-01-13 (January 13, 2014)
2013 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TOW HITCH THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE INSTALLED AND INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE, WAS NOT ON THE TRUCK. BUT, INSTEAD ANOTHER TYPE OF TOW HITCH HAD BEEN INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER FOUND IT UNACCEPTABLE, THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE JERRY-RIG MODIFICATION TO CONVERT THE CLASS III TOW HITCH TO A CLASS IV INTEGRATED RECEIVED TOW HITCH. UPDATED 01/27/14 UPDATED 01/29/14 UPDATED 02/03/14
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10559887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560242 · 2014-01-16 (January 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS CUTTING INTO THE SPARE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE TIRE WALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,770.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,770 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575618 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
2013 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INTERMITTENT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS AT LOW SPEED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT WOULD HAPPEN, WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE AND THEN STALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10575618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10583748 · 2014-04-20 (April 20, 2014)
MY TRUCK WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT; DOORS LOCKED. CAME OUT OF WORK TO FIND MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AND BLOWN OUT INTO THE BED OF THE TRUCK. CALLED POLICE, INFORMED WAS NOT DUE TO CRIMINAL MISCHIEF. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ON WARRANTY, WAS TOLD COULD POSSIBLY BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ONCE THERE, MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE WINDOW HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER NISSAN'S WARRANTY AND TO FILE A CLAIM THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. WENT TO SAFELITE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THIS SAID WINDOW AND WAS INF…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,074 miles reported. Look up ODI 10583748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595263 · 2014-05-31 (May 31, 2014)
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 WARNING BEEP SOUNDED AFTER THE BUMPER HIT THE POLE DIRECTLY ON ONE OF THE CAMERA PORTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,771 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10596112 · 2014-06-04 (June 4, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 15 20 MILES PER HOUR, I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO AN APPROPRIATE SPEED IN ORDER TO GO AROUND A CORNER, THE TRUCK THEN ACCELERATED CAUSING ME TO JUMP THE CURB AND HIT THE MAIL BOXES. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 30-40 MPH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596112 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V052000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗