The car won’t accelerate pass 40mph , ABS light will turn on , it completely stopped on the free way. I waited 5 minutes and the car started running. I d been doing this since march 2026. Got a diagnosis they thought it was a wheel bearings and sensor but the car didn’t accelerate again. And stopped working.
The worst 2021 Nissan Kicks problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body24
- Driver assistance16
- Electrical12
- Transmission11
- Engine9
- Brakes5
- Airbags4
- Acceleration3
- Steering3
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Nissan Kicks
Recalls 2
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 23V496000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 22V693000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Nissan Kicks 103
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Wiring harness repair information
- Certification label and VIN plate replacement service information
- DTC P17F4 stored in the TCM if you confirm
- Intelligent cruise control inoperative and AEB/feb warning light on or radar obstruction message displayed...
- Automatic emergency braking warning light blinking applied systems
- DTC B00A0-00 stored
- DTC B2E01-96 (internal battery) stored as current in ivc
- CAN communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines
- CAN communication – network diagnostic flow chart
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
2021 Nissan Kicks fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 31 | 36 | 33 |
What 2021 Nissan Kicks owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Engine timing and Transmission failed and replaced before 90,000 miles,
Engine light keeps coming on, just had 1 camshaft changed.
The rear door actuator on the passenger side failed causing the door to not be able to unlock electronically. This is particularly concerning as this is the side we would put our infant child on and we would be unable to access in an emergency. The dealership was not helpful in addressing this issue with Nissan corporate. We are extremely concerned that this issue occured and concerned that the dealership does not appear to be willing to help bring this issue to corporate. I already reached out to nissan consumer affairs to report this issue but wanted to bring this issue to the attention of relevant safety organizations as I am not sure if it is a larger issue.
I had a noise and highway vibration in my 2021 Nissan Kicks. Brought it to the dealer and was told the front axle nut was loose. They said it is a common issue. There is a TSB on it but I believe it is a safety issue due to it being a loose axle nut and vibration
The CVT transmission is slipping and losing acceleration while driving, overheating and smelling really bad like burnt rubber, the oil is black and smells burnt, its currently at 52,100 miles and I sent it up to Chuck Colvin Nissan and they did not fix my car, they drove it back to me and when I test drove it myself it broke down on the side of the road and I had to sit for 30 minutes for it to cool off before driving home
I was involved in a pile up on the highway, upon impact, my seatbelt and my daughter’s seat belt popped off. My sons however, remained intact. The air bags did not go off.
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 before the transmission would engage.
My CVT transmission has stopped working. At no time during taking it to Nissan dealerships to have oil changes in basic maintenance was it ever suggested to do a filter or fluid change on my transmission although Nissan transmissions are sold to consumers as locked and maintenance free it is a well-known fact that I've come to find out that this is a very incorrect statement and fluid and filters do need change every 30 to 50,000 miles or it will cause severe damage to one's transmission which is what it occurred to me on my 2021 Nissan kicks. Also all my safety features that told me if I was outside of a lane or anything like that would go off and not work properly tell me that it was wet conditions when it wasn't tell me I was going to crash when I wasn't even near anything. This occurred before the transmission completely bottomed out.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood unexpectedly flew open, hit and cracked the windshield. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road and pushed down the hood. The driver continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the hood latch was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was waiting to hear back the auto warranty company. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to an autobody repair shop for assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Compare the 2021 Nissan Kicks
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Other model years
Questions about the 2021 Nissan Kicks
Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks reliable?
Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 2021 Nissan Kicks, close to a typical Kicks model year.
What is the 2021 Nissan Kicks year score?
The 2021 Nissan Kicks scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Kicks: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Nissan Kicks?
Body and structure, with 24 complaints. Next is driver assistance (16).
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Kicks have?
2 recalls, covering steering.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Kicks get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Nissan Kicks range from 33 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 31 city and 36 highway.
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