2013 Nissan Xterra problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 4 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2013 Nissan Xterra has 4 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Xterra | 38 | 0 |
| 2011 Xterra | 24 | 0 |
| 2012 Xterra | 16 | 0 |
| 2013 Xterra (this page) | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 Xterra | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 Xterra | 10 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 4 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 4 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Nissan Xterra SUV RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Stories from the shop
The late Xterra is one of the simplest, toughest small 4x4s you can buy — the 2013 shows very low complaint volume and a strong score in our data. But that clean number hides the one issue that actually defines these trucks, and it’s tied entirely to the automatic transmission.
The radiator that kills the auto
Like the Pathfinder and Frontier of this era, the Xterra has the transmission cooler built into the radiator. The internal seal can fail and push engine coolant into the transmission fluid — the “strawberry milkshake of death.” Once it happens the five-speed automatic (RE5R05A) is usually toast.
This is why “does it have the auto?” is the right question: a manual Xterra is immune; the automatic is the one at risk. By 2013 it’s later in the run and somewhat improved, but it’s still the defining thing to check. It’s not the Jatco CVT from our worst-platforms list — different, older transmission — but the outcome is just as terminal.
What to check before you buy
- Pull the transmission dipstick: pink/milky fluid = walk, no negotiation
- Check the coolant for an oily film
- If clean, the #1 preventive is bypassing the radiator trans-cooler with a standalone external cooler
- A truck that’s had the bypass with clean fluid is a genuinely tough, reliable rig
Should you buy one?
The VQ40 V6 and the part-time 4WD are bulletproof — the entire risk is the auto-trans radiator. Clean fluid plus, ideally, a cooler bypass already done = buy with confidence. Milkshake = run. Check that one thing and you’re golden. Where coverage exists for these, running the warranty math on the specific truck is worth it — this is exactly the kind of expensive, documented failure that moves the answer.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My 2013 Nissan xterra pro4x accelerated on its own with me standing next to it. It is a manual transmission and the emergency brake was on. It reversed rapidly and caught me under it. I suffered permanent nerve damage in my arm and extreme scaring on both legs. After it ran me…
While traveling on a freeway, disengaged speed control using brake, but did not originally turn it off to be able to maneuver better in traffic near a city. Vehicle originally slowed down, but after releasing brake in 3 seconds, car sped up on its own with an acceleration…
This vehicle was never heavily loaded and was always driven on paved roads. The bottom leaf in each of the rear leaf springs broke within one year of one another. The first time I noticed the broken leaf and had it repaired before the broken piece of leaf could come out of the…
Very soft brake pedal observed progressively getting worse over period of about 15k / 1 month triggering increased braking distance especially during wet conditions and at higher speeds occasionally pedal goes almost to the floor prior to vehicle coming to complete stop. Hot…
Common questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 4 owner complaints have been filed for the 2013 Nissan Xterra, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2013 Nissan Xterra?
Only 4 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2013 Nissan Xterra without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Nissan Xterra?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2013 Nissan Xterra to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2013 Nissan Xterra a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 4 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Nissan Xterra?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Nissan Xterra has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Nissan Xterra?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 4 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.