Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan Kicks. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Loss of Power Steering Assist
- Summary
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
- Consequence
- Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA26. This recall involves vehicles that were previously inspected, but did not receive a steering column replacement, under recall number 22V-693. These vehicles will need to be reinspected for this recall.
Loss of Power Steering Assist
- Summary
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
- Consequence
- Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PMA10 / PMA25.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (77)
77 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The structure is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 77 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 24 | 31.2% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 20.8% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 15 | 19.5% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 14.3% |
| Power train | 10 | 13% |
| Engine | 9 | 11.7% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 6.5% |
| Air bags | 4 | 5.2% |
| Steering | 3 | 3.9% |
| Lane departure | 2 | 2.6% |
How 2021 compares with other Kicks years
Best and worst Kicks years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 86 | 1 |
| 2019 | 134 | 1 |
| 2020 | 97 | 0 |
| 2021 | 77 | 2 |
| 2022 | 23 | 0 |
| 2023 | 34 | 1 |
| 2024 | 37 | 1 |
| 2025 | 39 | 4 |
| 2026 | 8 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Nissan Kicks suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 33 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 269 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 33 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 / 36 / 33 | $2,050 | 269 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 Kicks for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Nissan Kicks FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Kicks have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 23V496000 (steering), 22V693000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Kicks problems?
Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. Structure (24), Unknown or other (16), Forward collision avoidance (15) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Nissan Kicks get?
EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 31 city, 36 highway and 33 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2021 Nissan Kicks get?
NHTSA rated the 2021 Nissan Kicks suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2021 Kicks compare with other years?
Among the 2018–2021 Nissan Kicks model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (77) and the 2019 the most (134). The 2021 drew 77. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.