Is the 2013 Nissan XTERRA reliable?

The 2013 Nissan XTERRA has 7 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Nissan XTERRA?

Top problems: ENGINE (2 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Nissan XTERRA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2013 Nissan XTERRA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Nissan XTERRA?

The 2013 Nissan XTERRA gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Nissan XTERRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Nissan XTERRA is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Nissan XTERRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Nissan XTERRA has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 17. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: 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 over, it crashed into .

2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

ENGINE

2 complaints

29%

• 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 OVER, IT CRASHED INTO
• 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 PROFILE GREATER THAN THE ON

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 OVER, IT CRASHED INTO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Nissan XTERRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Nissan XTERRA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan XTERRA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2013 XTERRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 OVER, IT CRASHED INTO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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 OVER, IT CRASHED INTO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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 PROFILE GREATER THAN THE ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: 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 PROFILE GREATER THAN THE ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)