2021 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability

53 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Nissan Versa, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 10/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Electrical leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2021 Nissan Versa has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

53Complaints
10/100Trouble index
3Recalls

Better year

Where 2021 sits among all Versa years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 10 complaints (19%)
Transmission & drivetrain 9 complaints (17%)
Airbags 5 complaints (9%)
Engine 5 complaints (9%)
Other 5 complaints (9%)
Steering 4 complaints (8%)

Recalls (3)

STEERING 23V496000 2023

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.

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…

STEERING 22V693000 2022

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.

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…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 21V471000 2021

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.

Fix: 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.…

Federal defect investigations

Reduced Power After Engine Stall PE24007 opened 2024, closed 2025

Technical service bulletins

92 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2021 Nissan Versa. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 Versa TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2021peak 16 in 20262026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 Nissan Versa reliable?

The 2021 Nissan Versa drew 53 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 10/100, scored against the model's worst year (2012).

What are the most common 2021 Nissan Versa problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 Nissan Versa are electrical (10 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (9), and airbags (5).

Does the 2021 Nissan Versa have recalls?

3 recall campaigns apply to the 2021 Nissan Versa. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.