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2021 Nissan Versa problems

The most common problem on the 2021 Nissan Versa is transmission and drivetrain. It has fewer complaints than a typical Versa model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
90/100
Owner complaints
32
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
93
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
30-35mpg

The worst 2021 Nissan Versa problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Transmission
    9
  • Electrical
    8
  • Airbags
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Steering
    4

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    9
  • Electrical
    8
  • Airbags
    5
  • Engine
    5
  • Steering
    4
  • Lights
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 3

Steering: electric power assist systemReported July 18, 2023 · 11,824 vehicles affected
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 systemReported September 15, 2022 · 20,040 vehicles affected
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

Exterior lighting: turn signal: bulbsReported June 23, 2021 · 30,799 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V471000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2021 Nissan Versa

Defect investigations

Reduced Power After Engine StallOpened March 7, 2024, closed October 2, 2025

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on March 7, 2024, after receiving twenty (20) consumer complaints and multiple field reports describing reduced power (limp mode) after re-starting the vehicle following a stall on certain 2022-2024 model year (MY) Nissan Versa.  A Preliminary Evaluation was opened to gather information and assess whether the subject vehicles contain a safety-related defect. During this investigation, Nissan explained that certain 2022-2044 MY Nissan Versa vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may, under specific conditions, experience a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) along with reduced engine performance following an engine start-up after a stall. In certain conditions, if the vehicle stalls and an engine restart occurs within five (5) seconds, the vehicle will enter a fail-safe mode with limited engine torque. The fail-safe mode helps prevent damage to the engine, a complete loss of motive power, and allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. ODI reviewed over 180 incidents where drivers described entering a limp mode following a vehicle re-start after having stalled the vehicle. Review of these incidents did not identify any alleged crashes, near crashes, or injuries. In all of the cases reviewed, the driver was able to drive the vehicle to a safe location. On April 28, 2025, Nissan released a Technical Service Bulletin NTB25-024 on certain MY 2022-2024 Versa vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.The remedy applies to subject vehicles built through July 9, 2024, and consists of replacing the Valve Timing Control (VTC) unit and installing updated control software.  The bulletin will be implemented at no charge to the customer and includes all parts and labor.  Subject vehicles built after July 9, 2024 were manufactured with these changes already in place. Following updates to the subject vehicles, ODI has not received any consumer complaints describing a limp mode condition on vehicles built after July 9, 2024 or after having received the NTB25-024 remedy. ODI believes the campaign issued by Nissan addresses the concerns raised in this investigation. As a result, PE24007 is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take any additional action if warranted. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE24007

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Nissan Versa 93

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 93 bulletins for the 2021 Nissan Versa

2021 Nissan Versa fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD27-3235-4030-35

What 2021 Nissan Versa owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Electrical · MO

The car actuator failed for the left rear door. My car has less than 10k miles, and I submitted a case to their consumer affairs for it to be covered coz it's a premature failure, and they refused to pay for the repairs. I didnt know my car doors were no longer locking properly, and was left in a parking lot unsecured. Also, a passenger sitting on that side of the car would have had to go out the other door, and had there been an accident, that person wouldn't have been able to easily get out. They don't take it as a safety concern. And I know other models of Nissan have had actuator issues, so I don't think this is an isolated incident. And they should be repairing premature failures. Their consumer affairs department has been less than helpful as I have been without a car for almost 3 weeks now, and when I kept trying to call them back, they'd send me to voicemail. Kelly Nissan is also overcharging for the cost of the repair. The actual item is about $130 on Nissan, and they're charging $200. The labor, per standards, should take about 1-1.5 hours, but they're charging $444.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Automatic CVT failure confirmed by Future Nissan of Roseville CA. No warning prior to failure. Replaced by Kirkwood Autoworx Mechanical since Nissan Corporate denied a good-will replacement. Reason: 15k miles over warranty - 75081odometer reading at replacement on 5/27/26. CVT failed while on a busy street [XXX] ). I had only reverse and had to back my way out of traffic. Extremely dangerous situation. New Issue: Left Front Door (Driver) Locking actuator failure on XXX Not a safety issue yet. Will not lock or unlock with key fob. Manual entry only. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 26, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Hi, My name is [XXX] and I live in [XXX] . In October 2023 I purchased a used Nissan Versa 2021 from a dealership. It only had 30k miles on it when I bought it. On May 9, 2026 I was driving to work when my car experienced acceleration failure. It had 80,600 miles on it. When the acceleration failed, I was in the process of making a left turn and came very close to being hit by oncoming traffic. After Nissan claimed to fix the issue and I paid a substantial amount of money and drove about 40 miles, the same thing happened. And again it was during a left turn into oncoming traffic. Twice I've come very close to an accident. Something needs to be fixed with these cvt transmissions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Acceleration, Lights · MN

I got into the car and started it up. Put in reverse car shuts off. Re started and put in reverse. Was able to drive out of apartment parking lot then no power to speed and car was a little jerky and on dashboard it said warning malfunction see owners manual with a few pictures on dashboard

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Cvt Transmission failed While driving transmission popped and no forward drive leaving us in traffic unable to move in forward. Had to get out and push the car to the side of the road. No warning lights no warning signs. Just immediate loss of forward drive. Engine revs up but no movement. Dangerously leaving us in harms way. Haven't had the vehicle inspected by nissan yet but will be doing so in the next day or so. Vehicle is and will be Available for inspection or assessment at any time.

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · LA

Transmission failure 2 Times. First time experienced jerking and some smoke coming out and second time same jerking and smoke along with electrical system failure. Nissan paid 40% the first time to help and I paid 60% even though I did not agree with that I did it. 2nd time they refuse to pay anything because of warranty even though it only took 40, 000 miles and transmission went out gain. Obvious that the transmissions are trash. The constant jerking and smoking in engine and electrical failure not to mention I was in a hit and run and ran into a tree and brake system did not work and the air bag did not come out after running into a tree. Please people run from Nissan fast. I'm thankful for my life.

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA · crash

My 2021 Nissan Versa was struck at high speed while parked and required extensive repairs that exceeded the vehicle’s value. After the repairs, the transmission began acting erratically. The car shudders, hesitates, and feels unstable while driving. Acceleration is unpredictable and the vehicle does not feel safe or reliable. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued to worsen. I have children and do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle, so it is currently parked.

Filed Jan 1, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

Mileage: Approximately 45,000 Current Status: Inoperable; held at Joe Machens Nissan pending evaluation by Nissan Consumer Affairs. Description of the Problem The vehicle has become completely inoperable, making it unsafe to operate. In the months prior to the failure, traction control warning indicators intermittently appeared on the dashboard. I did not recognize their significance at the time and did not document them, but they may have been early warning signs of the current operational failure. Approximately 22 days prior to the vehicle becoming completely inoperable, it underwent a recall update, oil change, and tire rotation at Joe Machens Nissan. Staff reported no concerns at the time. Shortly afterward, the vehicle began exhibiting reduced driving function and erratic power, which eventually led to complete inoperability. On [XXX], while commuting approximately 40 miles at highway speeds (up to 70 mph), the vehicle exhibited unpredictable engine response. The RPMs fluctuated erratically, and the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 70 mph. There were no dashboard warning indicators at the time. The vehicle is currently in the care of Joe Machens Nissan pending evaluation by Nissan Consumer Affairs. I am submitting this complaint to document potential safety concerns and to contribute to investigations regarding this vehicle model, including similar complaints reported by other 2021 Nissan Versa owners. Safety Impact Statement The operational failure poses a risk of reduced vehicle control and potential accident while driving at highway speeds, even in the absence of dashboard warnings. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Transmission · OH

Need to put in complaint the CVT transmissions has been doing a lot of whining and jerky. Spoke to the dealership they stated had no idea what it was. Started to investigate and found out there were recalls in the 2012 to 2015 CVT transmissions on Nissans and there is pending investigation in the years 2020 to 2023 for the same thing. Was told by a car repair to put in complaint. Due to the fact my Nissan stopped and would not move in the middle of an intersection which almost caused a wreck. There were no warning lights it just wouldn't go into gear. This is a big safety issue. It was due to the CVT transmission issues same as the ones in the 2012 to 2015 investigations. It was inspected by a independent service center.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Seat belts · MO

On three separate occasions while driving, my driver seatbelt has come unbuckled on it's own. Most recently today. It also sometimes sticks and is difficult to unbuckle.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2021 Nissan Versa before you buy

Compare the 2021 Nissan Versa

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2021 Nissan Versa

Is the 2021 Nissan Versa reliable?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2021 Nissan Versa, fewer than a typical Versa model year.

What is the 2021 Nissan Versa year score?

The 2021 Nissan Versa scores 90 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Versa: 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 Versa?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints. Next is electrical (8).

How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Versa have?

3 recalls, covering steering and exterior lighting.

What year does the Nissan Versa have bad transmission?

The Nissan Versa model years with the most transmission complaints are 2012 (163 complaints), 2014 (82 complaints) and 2013 (73 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Versa get?

Official estimates for the 2021 Nissan Versa range from 30 to 35 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 27-32 city and 35-40 highway.

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