2021 Nissan Kicks Reliability
The 2021 Nissan Kicks has 78 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and unknown or other. Compared with nearby Kicks model years (2019–2023), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Kicks's typical year, while the 2019 drew 134 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
78
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
6
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2021 Nissan Kicks complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 model year, filed between 2021 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 24 | 31% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 21% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 15 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 15% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 11 | 14% |
| Engine | 9 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 6% |
| Air bags | 4 | 5% |
2021 Nissan Kicks recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2021 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22V693000 | Sep 15, 2022 | Steering — electric power assist system | 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. |
| 23V496000 | Jul 18, 2023 | Steering — electric power assist system | 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. |
How the 2021 compares with nearby Kicks years
Verdicts compare these Kicks model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 134 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | Avoid |
| 2020 | 98 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | Caution |
| 2021 (this page) | 78 | 2 | Body structure | Solid |
| 2022 | 24 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | Better year |
| 2023 | 34 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2021 Nissan Kicks on the used market
- Median asking price $14,999 at a median 71,068 miles, across 563 live US dealer listings in CarWhere's depreciation study.
What to check on a used 2021 Nissan Kicks
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Driver aids: ask about false automatic-braking events and check for warning messages on the dash.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2021 Nissan Kicks can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2021 Nissan Kicks reliability FAQ
Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks reliable?
The 2021 Nissan Kicks has 78 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about body structure and unknown or other. Compared with nearby Kicks model years (2019–2023), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Kicks's typical year, while the 2019 drew 134 complaints.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Kicks problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Kicks are body structure (24), unknown or other (16), forward collision avoidance (15), electrical system (12). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2021 Nissan Kicks have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan Kicks, including 22V693000 (steering — electric power assist system) and 23V496000 (steering — electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2021 Nissan Kicks compare with the 2020 and 2022 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2020 has 98 complaints and 0 recalls (caution); the 2022 has 24 complaints and 0 recalls (better year). The 2021 has 78 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2021 Nissan Kicks?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Kicks research
Other Nissan Kicks model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2021 Kicks, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.