NissanFrontier2013Overview/nissan/frontier/2013/base/

2013 Nissan Frontier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Frontier.

Body TRUCK

The 2013 Nissan Frontier is a truck that requires 4.9 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. Across the model’s 1998–2025 complaint history, this model year has accumulated 48 owner complaints and one recall, a volume that sits far below the 210 complaints recorded for the 2000 model year and is closer to the low of 7 (2025) than to that historical peak. With air bags identified as the top complaint area, the 2013 model occupies the lower-complaint end of the Frontier’s long production span, indicating a relatively narrow and specific set of reported concerns.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A alt 1520865F0E
Engine air filter165467S000 alt 16546EA000
Spark plug22401ZE01B alt 22401CK81B
Front wiper blades288909CA0A alt 288909CA0B
Serpentine belt11720EA20A alt 11720EA001
Thermostat21200EA000 alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter27277VR00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.9 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase125.6 in
Curb weight4343 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Frontier of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2012 PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.20 sec15.70 sec261 hp4x4
2017PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 4.0L V67.30 sec15.80 sec261 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.30 sec15.60 sec310 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.50 sec15.80 sec310 hp4x4
2005LE V6 Crew Cab (4.9 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.10 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec15.80 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec265 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, ATF in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0 Pints
Differential Gear OilATF
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)53.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket165.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle77.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket77.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)AT: 700, MT: 625 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)625 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40-1.70 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.3 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Compression161-189 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression142-185 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure11 psi @ Idle, 60-70 psi @ 3000
Engine Oil Pressure43 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs / 136 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.61.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
131 ft. lbs., step 2: 6031 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-9033 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Torque bolts in sequence41 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
3Torque bolts in sequence29 ft. lbs
4Tighten bolts in sequence75 degrees
5tighten bolts in sequence75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order.
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two point, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two point exceed the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1bolts 1, 6 M8 x 38mm, bolts 2, 3 M8 x 35mm, 4, 5 nut14 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 17-2416 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Nissan Frontier posts 48 complaints, 1 recall, and zero federal investigations, a measurable step down from 2012's 78 complaints and 3 recalls and slightly above 2014's 42 complaints and 2 recalls, placing it on the descending slope of an otherwise clean post-refresh arc (2011–2019) where complaint volume steadily drops from 64 to 28. Compared to the 1998–2004 generation, which peaked at 210 complaints and 8 recalls in 2000 and 2002, the 2013 model year represents a fundamentally different reliability footprint, with no investigations recorded in any of the listed model years. The 128 TSBs for 2013 are the second-highest of any year on file, suggesting Nissan was actively issuing service guidance, though the underlying root causes are not specified in the data. Top complaint areas cluster in Air Bags (8), Electrical System (6), Engine (4), and Power Train (4), with 5 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint—a relatively modest severity profile. Taken together, 2013 sits near the beginning of the most trouble-free stretch in this generation, making it a defensible used-buy candidate provided a pre-purchase inspection covers the air bag and electrical systems noted in the complaint data.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
128
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
48
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags8
Electrical System6
Engine4
Power Train4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Power Train,Unknown Or Other2
Wheels,Unknown Or Other2
Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V052000Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit BreakersReported 12/02/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 128 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-081C2024-07-08Air BagsVOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Frontier. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Frontier take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Frontier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.