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2021 Nissan Kicks

Gas
Midsize Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA76
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA33 mpg
202620252024202320222021202020192018

The 2021 Nissan Kicks is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car. The most efficient version, the Kicks, is EPA-rated at 33 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 76 complaints, most often about the structure. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
KicksGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl313633$1,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43720.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Nissan Kicks is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

PMA26
11,824 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskLoss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 reinspec
NHTSA campaign 23V496000reported Jul 18, 2023Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Steering

PMA10 / PMA25
20,040 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskLoss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V693000reported Sep 15, 2022Nissan North America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
76complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 4 · 2022: 29 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 14

Most-cited components

Structure24
Forward Collision Avoidance18
Unspecified16
Electrical System11
Power Train9
Engine8

What owners describe

“2021Nissan Kicks[XXX]Paint Chipping -Fleet Unit - Paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Feb 21, 2022 · Structure · NHTSA owner report
“2021Nissan Kicks[XXX]Paint Chipping -Fleet Unit - Paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Feb 21, 2022 · Structure · NHTSA owner report
“2021Nissan Kicks[XXX]Paint Chipping -Fleet Unit - Paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Feb 21, 2022 · Structure · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Kicks model years

C

2026 Nissan Kicks

3 recalls · 7 complaints

C

2025 Nissan Kicks

4 recalls · 36 complaints

A

2024 Nissan Kicks

1 recalls · 37 complaints

A

2023 Nissan Kicks

1 recalls · 15 complaints

A

2022 Nissan Kicks

0 recalls · 22 complaints

A

2020 Nissan Kicks

0 recalls · 93 complaints

A

2019 Nissan Kicks

1 recalls · 134 complaints

A

2018 Nissan Kicks

1 recalls · 84 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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