2021 Nissan Versa Steering Power Steering Recall (23V496)

Recall 23V496 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Nissan Versa in recall 23V496?

An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Versa with recall 23V496?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Versa shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the electric power assist system, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V496?

Recall 23V496 covers 11,824 vehicles: 2021 Nissan Kicks; 2021 Nissan Versa.

NHTSA lists 11,824 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Versa steering power steering recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge.

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.

When was recall 23V496 announced?

Nissan North America, Inc. reported recall 23V496 to NHTSA on July 18, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as September 8, 2023.

This recall was filed 39 months ago. If your Versa was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Versa is part of recall 23V496?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V496 is open on your Versa, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V496000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Versa owners do about recall 23V496?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V496000 applies to your Versa.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Nissan dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the electric power assist system happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are Versa owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 7 of them about the steering.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 107 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 7 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Nissan Kicks: 76 complaints in total, 3 about the steering
• 2021 Nissan Versa: 31 complaints in total, 4 about the steering

Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):

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.

2021 Nissan Kicks owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11642044, filed February 11, 2025

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.

2021 Nissan Kicks owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11756958, filed August 14, 2026

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.

2021 Nissan Versa owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11714561, filed January 30, 2026

Can recall 23V496 make my Versa a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this electric power assist system recall means their Versa qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Steering defects go straight to safety. Under California's lemon law, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury can create a presumption after just two repair attempts, if the manufacturer was also notified directly.

This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 22V693000.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Versa went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V496