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2021 Nissan Versa: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan Versa, most recently filed July 2023. Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan Versa. 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 ↗
Listed for 2021 Nissan Versa. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V496000 Filed Jul 18, 2023

Loss of Power Steering Assist

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
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.
89.7% repairedof 11,824 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V496000
Listed for 2021 Nissan Versa. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V693000 Filed Sep 15, 2022

Loss of Power Steering Assist

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
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.
86.9% repairedof 20,040 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V693000
Listed for 2021 Nissan Versa. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V471000 Filed Jun 23, 2021

Front Turn Signal Bulbs Can Fail To Illuminate

Exterior lighting · turn signal · bulbs
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
Consequence
Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.
87.4% repairedof 30,799 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V471000

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 (31)

31 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

5involved a crash
0involved a fire
3injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Nissan Versa, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 31.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2021 compares with other Versa years

Best and worst Versa years →
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 11.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Nissan Versa 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 35 mpg combined

35
mpg combined
32
city
40
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$1,900
CO₂ tailpipe
254 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$1,866per year
$156per month
429gallons a year

Miles ÷ 35 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

2021 Nissan Versa configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive32 / 40 / 35$1,900254
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive27 / 35 / 30$2,250296

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2021 Versa 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.

All Versa years

Where to next

2021 Nissan Versa FAQ

How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Versa have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 23V496000 (steering), 22V693000 (steering), 21V471000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2021 Nissan Versa problems?

Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (9), Electrical system (7), Air bags (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2021 Nissan Versa get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 32 city, 40 highway and 35 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2021 Nissan Versa get?

NHTSA rated the 2021 Nissan Versa 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (11.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2021 Versa compare with other years?

Among the 2016–2021 Nissan Versa model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (24) and the 2016 the most (80). The 2021 drew 31. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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