The Lemon Index
202020221st generation
Better than average · most complaints: body structure
Better years to buy
48 owner complaints, first 3 years 33 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Hyundai Palisade 2472021 Chevrolet Blazer 542021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 39
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V496000 (steering) and 22V693000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Nissan sent dealers 102 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 48 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
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).
2021 Nissan Kicks owner · NHTSA complaint 11453231
More owner reports
The warning of the vdc comes on warning that a acident has happened the camera needs to be redesined false accident warnings
NHTSA complaint 11514097
Driving approximately 40mph with no one in front, sides, rear and car suddenly braked without warning for no reason. Glad no car behind could have caused accident.
NHTSA complaint 11513645
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 15.9M views · 2018–2024 Nissan Kicks
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door128K views
Nissan Kicks (2018-2024): Cabin Air Filter Replacement. Air Flow Direction Explained!Morozov Automotive · 68K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical114K views
2018 - 2021 Nissan Kicks Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Replace Change Kicks Remote BatteriesPYR Automotive · 95K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter69K views
How to Change Transmission Fluid/Filter 2019-2021 Nissan Kicks/Cars without Transmission dipstickAliMECH · 69K views - Oil changes & service36K views
How to change Engine OIL on 2021 Nissan Kicks/How to reset scheduled maintenance on Nissan KicksAliMECH · 36K views
Show 2 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors30K views
Clean or Replace MAF Sensor on Nissan Kicks (2018-2024) | Fix Stalling & Rough IdleEspanglish Garage · 30K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition30K views
2018 Nissan Kicks Won't Crank no start Issue...1 Click...Fixed...Peter L · 30K views
Before you buy, watch
2021 Nissan Kicks vs 2021 Toyota CHR Which One Should You Buy?Cars Unlocked · 75K views
2020 Nissan Kicks E-Power Review : Kicks Ass or Ass-Kicked? - CarBuyer.com.sg SingaporeCarBuyer Singapore · 63K views
2023 Nissan Kicks Review | Behind the WheelAutoDeal.com.ph · 682K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 102 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on…
- AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with a…
- MIL ON WITH DTC P062F AND/OR P0603 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM The MIL is ON and DTC P062F (EEPROM)…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2023
An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
- Steering · recall issued 2022
An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Kicks SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Nissan Kicks year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Nissan Kicks years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-kicks/?y=2021" title="Nissan Kicks reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-kicks/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Nissan Kicks reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 60; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Kicks year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Kicks problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (46%), automatic emergency braking (29%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Kicks have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Kicks get?
33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Nissan Kicks have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Nissan Kicks cost in fuel a year?
About $1,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Nissan Kicks have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Kicks year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works