2013 model year · 310+ owner reports · Updated April 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 310+ owner reports, the 2013 Nissan NV has 5 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. The most commonly reported issue is Radiator Plastic End Tank Cracking and Coolant Leak with 110 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $50 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2012-2021 Nissan NV, the NV cargo van's large rear barn-style cargo doors suffer from hinge pin wear that causes the doors to sag and become difficult to close. Commercial and delivery vans experience this more rapidly due to high door cycle counts. The heavy steel doors put significant stress on the hinge pins, which wear oval-shaped holes in the hinge plates. A sagging door scrapes the body, doesn't seal properly against the weatherstrip, and can leak water into the cargo area.
Replace the hinge pins and bushings using a Dorman hinge pin repair kit. If the hinge plates themselves are worn (egg-shaped holes), the hinges must be replaced entirely. Use a door jack or helper to support the door weight during hinge work. Apply anti-seize to new hinge pins and grease with white lithium grease. Lubricate hinges every 3 months on high-cycle commercial vans.
Parts and tips from 95+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 2012-2021 Nissan NV, the Nissan NV cargo van's heavy rear barn doors sag over time due to hinge wear, causing difficult closing, air leaks, and water intrusion. The door weight stresses the hinges and body mount points, especially on vans used for commercial delivery with frequent door cycles. The door seal compresses unevenly, allowing water and wind noise into the cargo area.
Adjust door hinges and replace worn hinge pins and bushings ($50-$100 per door). If the body mount points have deformed, a body shop can reinforce them with weld-on plates. Replace the door weatherstrip seals if compressed or torn ($100-$200 per door). Lubricate hinges with white lithium grease every 3 months for commercial use. Some owners install aftermarket heavy-duty hinge kits.
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 2012-2021 Nissan NV, the Nissan NV cargo van uses a radiator with plastic end tanks that develop cracks from heat cycling and vibration inherent to commercial van use. The cracks typically form at the crimp joint between the plastic tank and aluminum core. The V8 NV 2500/3500 models are more susceptible due to higher operating temperatures, especially when loaded to capacity. A cracked radiator causes gradual coolant loss that can lead to overheating if not caught early.
Replace the radiator with a quality aftermarket unit that has reinforced plastic tanks or an all-aluminum radiator. Mishimoto and Spectra Premium make direct-fit replacements. Replace the radiator hoses and thermostat during the repair. Flush the cooling system with fresh Nissan Long Life Coolant (blue). Install a supplemental coolant overflow catch bottle if the van is regularly loaded to capacity.
Parts and tips from 110+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 2012-2021 Nissan NV, the Nissan NV 1500/2500/3500 models use a 5-speed automatic transmission (RE5R05A) that overheats under heavy load conditions — particularly when the van is loaded to its GVWR in hot weather. The factory transmission cooler is marginally sized for commercial use. Overheating degrades the ATF, causing the torque converter clutch to shudder and the shift quality to deteriorate. The NV 3500 passenger van with full seating capacity is especially prone.
Install an auxiliary transmission cooler with a thermostat — this is the most important modification for any NV used commercially. Change ATF every 30,000 miles with Nissan Matic S fluid. If shudder is already present, a fluid flush with new ATF can resolve early-stage torque converter clutch issues. A transmission temperature gauge helps monitor temperatures during heavy loads.
Parts and tips from 105+ owners who fixed this issue
On the 2012-2021 Nissan NV, the NV's fuel level sending unit fails, causing inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The gauge may read full when the tank is half empty, drop suddenly to empty, or fluctuate erratically. The issue is caused by the float arm rheostat wearing out from fuel sloshing (common in commercial vans that drive stop-and-go). Running out of fuel unexpectedly is a real risk for commercial operators.
Replace the fuel level sending unit ($150-$300 for parts). The unit is accessed by removing the fuel tank or through an access panel (model-dependent). Reset the fuel gauge after installation. Track fuel consumption by odometer until the repair is completed to avoid running out of gas. Some owners install a secondary fuel level gauge as backup for commercial vehicles.
Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's analysis of 310+ owner reports, the 2013-2013 Nissan NV has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Radiator Plastic End Tank Cracking and Coolant Leak, 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Overheating Under Load, Fuel Gauge Sending Unit Failure. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
The 2013-2013 Nissan NV has 5 known issues documented across 310+ owner reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Nissan NV issues range from $50 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The Nissan NV cargo van uses a radiator with plastic end tanks that develop cracks from heat cycling and vibration inherent to commercial van use. The cracks typically form at the crimp joint between the plastic tank and aluminum core. The V8 NV 2500/3500 models are more suscepti… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
The Nissan NV 1500/2500/3500 models use a 5-speed automatic transmission (RE5R05A) that overheats under heavy load conditions — particularly when the van is loaded to its GVWR in hot weather. The factory transmission cooler is marginally sized for commercial use. Overheating degr… Repairs typically run $150-$3,000. Severity: medium.
The NV's fuel level sending unit fails, causing inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The gauge may read full when the tank is half empty, drop suddenly to empty, or fluctuate erratically. The issue is caused by the float arm rheostat wearing out from fuel sloshing (common in commercia… Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: medium.
The NV cargo van's large rear barn-style cargo doors suffer from hinge pin wear that causes the doors to sag and become difficult to close. Commercial and delivery vans experience this more rapidly due to high door cycle counts. The heavy steel doors put significant stress on the… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
The Nissan NV cargo van's heavy rear barn doors sag over time due to hinge wear, causing difficult closing, air leaks, and water intrusion. The door weight stresses the hinges and body mount points, especially on vans used for commercial delivery with frequent door cycles. The do… Repairs typically run $100-$500. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
