DecodedCars2013 Nissan Frontier
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.
- Class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- Crew Cab 4x2 Sv, Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x, Crew Cab 4X4 Sl, Crew Cab 4X4 Sv
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 205.5–219.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,728–4,676 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Nissan Frontier is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 206 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (Crew Cab 4x2 Sv).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 23 highway), 6% better than the 2013 small pickup truck average of 19.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Frontier →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab 4x2 Sv | 205.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 125.6 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,343 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,557 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Sl | 219.3 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 139.8 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,676 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Sv | 205.9 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 125.6 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,559 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab 4X4 Sv/Pro-4x | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 69.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,326 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab S/Box 4x2 S | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 68.5 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,728 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | +6% | $3,200 | 427 |
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -4% | $3,550 | 459 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 19 | -4% | $3,550 | 479 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -9% | $3,700 | 492 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | 0% | $3,700 | 498 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -6% | $3,950 | 515 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Nissan Frontier.
Similar 2013 small pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Nissan Frontier (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2013 Ford F-150 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2013 Honda Ridgeline | 17 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers · Feb 12, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V052000 · 13,535 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2013 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Power Train — 6 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 37,700 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Nissan Frontier. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Frontier years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Frontier | 21 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2025 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2023 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 66 |
| 2022 Frontier | 20 | 224 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 112 |
| 2021 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 20 |
| 2020 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 23 |
| 2019 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 25 |
| 2017 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 38 |
| 2016 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 44 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →