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2021 Nissan Kicks
Solid pick — the complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
72 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 10, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Body & structure problems dominate (33% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Nissan Kicks, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Body & structure (24) · Driver assistance (15) · Electrical system (11) · Engine (7)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint — a rough guide, not a schedule.
Body & structure
33%24 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“2021Nissan Kicks[XXX]Paint Chipping -Fleet Unit - Paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO TH…”
Driver assistance
21%15 complaints · 4 in the last 2 years
“The vehicle has a sensor in the front that will auto brake if it thinks I will crash into something . However many times it’s braked there’s been nothing in front of t…”
Electrical system
15%11 complaints · 7 in the last 2 years
“I have noticed on more than one occasion the dashboard panel suddenly pops up these RED BRACKET LINES SHOWING AROUND VEHICLE OF COURSE AND BIG STOP FLASHING AND CAR SU…”
Transmission & drivetrain
10%7 complaints · typically near 54k mi · 6 in the last 2 years
“At first it just seemed sluggish like it didn’t want to take off then the Transmission started jerking would not allow the car to go engine revving up to 5000 rpm befo…”
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Steering · 23V496000
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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering · 22V693000
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.
Risk: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150–$250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Nissan KICKS beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every Kicks model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Nissan Kicks against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score — if they disagree, that’s worth knowing.