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2013 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

37 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

48 reports
7,835 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Unknown Or OtherWheels

VEHICLE ROLLS-NOT SLIDES OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHILE VEHICLE IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING WHILE ON SNOW AND ICE DOES NOT DO SO WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. NISSAN DEALER HAS SEEN VIDEOS BUT SAYS NOTHING WRONG. LIVED IN HOUSE SINCE 1985 AND NO CAR HAS EVER ROLLED OUT. ONLY UNDER CERTAIN WINTER CONDITIONS DOES THIS HAPPEN SUCH AS WET PACKED …

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VEHICLE ROLLS-NOT SLIDES OUT OF DRIVEWAY WHILE VEHICLE IN PARK AND NOT RUNNING WHILE ON SNOW AND ICE DOES NOT DO SO WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. NISSAN DEALER HAS SEEN VIDEOS BUT SAYS NOTHING WRONG. LIVED IN HOUSE SINCE 1985 AND NO CAR HAS EVER ROLLED OUT. ONLY UNDER CERTAIN WINTER CONDITIONS DOES THIS HAPPEN SUCH AS WET PACKED SNOW.. WAS NEARLY RAN OVER ONE DAY GETTING MAIL. VIDEO SHOW NO KEY, IN PARK AND ALL 4 TIRES ROTATING FORWARD. SECOND VIDEO SHOWS NO KEY, IN PARK 3 WHEELS ROTATING FORWARD AND 1 REAR WHEEL ROTATING BACKWARD AS PICKUP ROLLS FORWARD. ONE DEALER COULD SEE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO PUT BLOCKS BEHIND WHEELS. SECOND COMPLAINT. REAR BUMPER HAS SIGNIFICANT RUST AROUND LICENSE PLATE, REST OF BUMPER OK. NISSAN SAYS BECAUSE OF WINTER CHEMICALS. BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR ATTENTION 4 YEARS AGO WHEN PICKUP HAD 7835 MILES. IN 4 YEARS I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FIND ANOTHER PICKUP APPROXIMATE SAME AGE ANY MAKE WITH RUST FROM CHEMICALS. I HAVE THE ONLY ONE IN (REDACTED). WHY RUST BEHIND LICENSE PLATE WHICH IS PROTECTED FROM CHEMICAL. THE PAST 4 YEARS I AVE MADE A MINIMUM OF 15 TRIPS, CALLS, LETTERS ALL TO BE TOLD NOTHING WRONG, NOTHING WE CAN DO. FEEL AS THOUGH THE BIG COMPANY IS BULLYING THE LITTLE PERSON. CAN SEND PHOTOS, VIDEO CORRESPONDENCE SEPARATELY-NOT COMPUTER SAVVY. FIRST INCIDENT AT DEALER WAS 2/27/2018. MIGHT ADD THIS IS A GREAT PICKUP, WHICH I CAN NEVER SELL IN GOOD FAITH KNOWING THE DANGEROUS CONDITION ON SNOW AND ICE.

NHTSA ODI #11074668

56,728 miles · Nov 17, 2017
Power Train

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HOLDING IT IN DRIVE, I MANAGED TO GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. THEN, I COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF DRIVE. IT ONLY MOVED FORWARD. THE PROBLEM FIX IS DESCRIBED IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO PERFECTLY. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XF-QFAASMWO IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY…

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THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF HOLDING IT IN DRIVE, I MANAGED TO GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. THEN, I COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF DRIVE. IT ONLY MOVED FORWARD. THE PROBLEM FIX IS DESCRIBED IN THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO PERFECTLY. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XF-QFAASMWO IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE RUNNING FOR FEAR I COULD NOT MOVE IT AGAIN AND THE WHAT IF THIS PART MALFUNCTIONED IN TRAFFIC WHILE DOWN SHIFTING INTO 3 2 OR 1. WHICH IS WHAT CAUSED MINE TO STICK BEHIND DRIVE. IT WAS THE LOOSE SCREW THAT ALLOWED THE PART TO BIND.

NHTSA ODI #11047102

9,000 miles · Aug 6, 2017
Air Bags

THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOY TOO EASILY IN FRONTIER TRUCKS, ALL WITHOUT NEED OF A CRASH NISSAN WON'T COVER THE DAMAGES UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSES TO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO MUST PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN DOES HAVE A PROGRAM TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REINSTALL OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AI…

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THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOY TOO EASILY IN FRONTIER TRUCKS, ALL WITHOUT NEED OF A CRASH NISSAN WON'T COVER THE DAMAGES UNDER WARRANTY AND REFUSES TO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO MUST PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN DOES HAVE A PROGRAM TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REINSTALL OF THE SIDE CURTAIN AID BAGS. THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING OFF BECAUSE OF A FALSE READING FROM THE SENSOR UNIT. MY FRONTIERS SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT 5MPH ON A FLAT SURFACE.

NHTSA ODI #11013084

63,000 miles · Jan 17, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT, DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND HIT A PARKED CAR ON THE FREEWAY. HE HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD WITH HIS HEAD THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CUP SHAPED DENT EVEN WITH SEAT BELT ON AND DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED NISSAN, AND WAS DISMISSED. I WAS TOLD BY [XXX], THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO THE CASE BY NISSAN, THAT SINCE …

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MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT, DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND HIT A PARKED CAR ON THE FREEWAY. HE HIT THE WINDSHIELD SO HARD WITH HIS HEAD THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAS A CUP SHAPED DENT EVEN WITH SEAT BELT ON AND DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. I CONTACTED NISSAN, AND WAS DISMISSED. I WAS TOLD BY [XXX], THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO THE CASE BY NISSAN, THAT SINCE INSURANCE HAD PAID. THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO BE DONE. I WILL ATTACH PHOTOS OF THE TRUCK. I FEEL THAT THE AIRBAG AND SIT BELT SHOULD HAVE KEPT DRIVER IN PLACE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10945719

21,000 miles · Dec 5, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND ANTIFREEZE SPILLED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10929954

72,876 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALSO TURNING.YAW RATE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND WAS QUOTED 800.00 FOR SENSOR EXCLUDING LABOR. IM IN M.S...I LIVE IN T.N. I WAS ADVISED IT WASNT SAFER ON INTERSTATE TRAVEL. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD. AT THIS POINT IT IS CONSIDERED MY SAFETY. I THINK NISSAN SH…

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALSO TURNING.YAW RATE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND WAS QUOTED 800.00 FOR SENSOR EXCLUDING LABOR. IM IN M.S...I LIVE IN T.N. I WAS ADVISED IT WASNT SAFER ON INTERSTATE TRAVEL. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YRS OLD. AT THIS POINT IT IS CONSIDERED MY SAFETY. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI #10888070

30,000 miles · Jul 9, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesStructureCrash

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE VERY FAMILIAR ROAD THAT I TRAVEL EVERYDAY. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45 AND SINCE IT'S A COUNTRY-WINDY-ROAD PEOPLE PRETTY MUCH GO AT THAT SPEED. AS I'M DRIVING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I APPLIED THE BREAK AS I APPROACHED IT.~NOTICING THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT EVEN SLOWING DO…

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON THE VERY FAMILIAR ROAD THAT I TRAVEL EVERYDAY. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45 AND SINCE IT'S A COUNTRY-WINDY-ROAD PEOPLE PRETTY MUCH GO AT THAT SPEED. AS I'M DRIVING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I APPLIED THE BREAK AS I APPROACHED IT.~NOTICING THAT MY TRUCK WAS NOT EVEN SLOWING DOWN I PRESSED THE BREAK PEDAL WITH ALL MY STRENGTH BUT MY TRUCK DIDN'T EVEN SLOWED ANY, SKIDDED ON THE ROAD OR LEFT ANY TIRE-MARKS BEHIND! I HIT THE VEHICLE WHO WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM BEHIND BUT IT HARDLY SUFFER ANY DAMAGE WHERE AS MY TRUCK WAS TOTALED. IN CHECKING THE ROAD THERE AREN'T ANY MARKINGS OF ANYONE TRYING TO STOP AS IT OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS! I BELIEVE THAT THE BREAKS LOCKED ON MY TRUCK!

NHTSA ODI #10883756

27,000 miles · Mar 17, 2016
Unknown Or OtherInjury

TRACTION CONTROL CAN SNAP THE DRIVERS NECK. WITH TRACTION CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE CAN APPLY THE BRAKE ON THE DRIVE WHEEL THAT IS SPINNING. THIS HAPPENING IF YOU ARE NOT GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE CAN SNAP YOUR NECK IF DRIVER IS NOT LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD. NOTE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED IT IS NOT SLOWLY, IT IS SNAPPED ON, THIS IS PA…

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TRACTION CONTROL CAN SNAP THE DRIVERS NECK. WITH TRACTION CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE CAN APPLY THE BRAKE ON THE DRIVE WHEEL THAT IS SPINNING. THIS HAPPENING IF YOU ARE NOT GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE CAN SNAP YOUR NECK IF DRIVER IS NOT LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD. NOTE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED IT IS NOT SLOWLY, IT IS SNAPPED ON, THIS IS PAINFUL AND COULD KILL. PLUS I DO NOT THINK THE DRIVE-LINE PARTS WILL LAST VERY LONG. ALSO I WOULD LIKE A WAY TO MAKE SURE THE SYSTEM WILL NOT 'COME ON' BY DEFAULT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THE INNER WHEEL SPUN ON THE WET PAVEMENT, THE 'SYSTEM' APPLIED THE BRAKE WHILE I WAS LOOKING LEFT AND MY NECK WAS TWISTED MORE TO THE LEFT THEN RIGHT FORWARD DISPLACING MY NECK. NOTE 'TRACTION CONTROL' IS DEADLY !

NHTSA ODI #10850217

15,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF FAULTY, AND SETS OFF A LIGHT WHICH INDICATES NO PROTECTION FOR ANY PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10788394

20,500 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Power Train

MY CLUTCH HAS PREMATURELY FAILED AT 20500 MILES. THE TRUCK IS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH INCLUDING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT 3000 MILES. THE DEALER SHIP TOLD ME THIS IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE PART IS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN A CLUTCH MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER …

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MY CLUTCH HAS PREMATURELY FAILED AT 20500 MILES. THE TRUCK IS LESS THEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH INCLUDING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT 3000 MILES. THE DEALER SHIP TOLD ME THIS IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE THE PART IS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE DRIVEN A CLUTCH MY ENTIRE LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS BEFORE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOME OF NISSAN CLUTCH'S ARE "LEMONS" AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THEM BECAUSE IT IS A HIGH USE PART. I THINK THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10760401

Official recalls

1

14V052000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.