2021 Nissan KICKS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,508 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 76 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 13.2% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 13.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 24 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 7 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Structure:Body: 24; Unknown Or Other: 16; Electrical System: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 10; Power Train: 9; Engine: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 7; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 70 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 29 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2021: 4; 2022: 29; 2023: 13; 2024: 2; 2025: 14; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11495516 · 2022-11-30 (November 30, 2022)
Was driving on the interstate when all of the sudden any time I would hit the accelerator it would start to brake. I went from going 60 to 45 and realized I had to pull over and was able luckily to get to a median to call AAA. Once i got to the median my battery and oil change light appeared and AC stopped working. I attempted to turn my car off and it would just automatically restart. I did that three times and on the third time the lights turned off and ac was back blowing cold but still couldn’t move my vehicle. AAA then towed it to their fa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550380 · 2023-10-17 (October 17, 2023)
The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed in heavy traffic, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After coming to a complete stop and shifting into park, the contact became aware that the transmission had seized, and the gear selector was unable to shift back into drive. Upon having the vehicle towed, the tow company was only able to shift the gear selector into reverse. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the rental company's service center for repair; as a res…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11550380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434331 · 2021-09-25 (September 25, 2021)
On September 5th 2021 I purchased a new Nissan Kicks from Pine Belt Nissan, 229 Route 37 East of Toms River, NJ. 08753. On Saturday September 11th 2021 I was on my way to work and stopped at the light, the car make a different sound and feel. By the time the light changes and I get to around 100 feet at the gate to the development the car shuts off. I looked around to see if I did anything wrong and to my knowledge I didn’t. The car was still in drive my foot was still on the brakes and on the dash board was the oil and engine lights, then a f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442404 · 2021-12-02 (December 2, 2021)
While traveling on a hwy with my 2021 Nissan Kicks, me and my wife were sandwiched. A black SUV suddenly stopped in front of us causing us to rear end them going approximately 50-60 mph then we were rear ended. No air bag deployed and the passenger seat appears to have come off of its tracks. Nissan has been notified of this and should conduct an investigation. Not sure if the automatic emergency braking failed or if the car just did not have time to react.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11490553 · 2022-10-24 (October 24, 2022)
Sometimes, the blind spot warning doesn't work. I need to re-start the car to make it works. After I filling gas, the car can't move for 7 seconds even though the car is accelerated and the clock that measures the rotation go up to 4 - 4.5 and when it starts moving, this clock comes to 2. Also after a stop, the car doesn't move , doesn't accelerate, it has to wait for 7 seconds and starts moving slow for more few seconds. this problem was shown more than 10 times. One time, I accelerated a lot, and the car started jumping like a "crazy horse"…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11490553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11642044 · 2025-02-11 (February 11, 2025)
Something or Power steering seems to be affected, especially more so during rainy or snowy seasons. Wheel needs no assistance to turn and turn very easily as I turned/spun it to one side and other. Seems to go passed its lock point. Especially noticeable during reverse and park/when parking.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11642044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11700910 · 2025-11-21 (November 21, 2025)
The likely failed component is the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL). Associated systems include the steering column, BCM, and EPS motor. Yes, the vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request (Owner: [XXX] , [XXX] ). The safety of the owner and other drivers was put at risk by the sudden, unpredictable loss of steering control (locking mid-turn). This makes it impossible to safely navigate curves or avoid hazards, leading to a high risk of a severe crash, injury, or fatality. The no-start condition also strands the owne…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11700910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11679233 · 2025-08-08 (August 8, 2025)
While driving the car seems to be stalling, slowing down while I’m driving. The car feels like it doesn’t want to go up to a fast speed on the highway. I feel uncomfortable and unsafe that the car will stop instantly on the highway and cause me to crash. So that is why I’m reporting this because it’s unsafe. Secondly the left driver side window goes up in down while I’m driving. This also makes me feel uncomfortable while driving.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11679233 at NHTSA ↗