NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 66 complaints against the 2021 Nissan Kicks. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2021 Nissan Kicks complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2021 Nissan Kicks has generated 66 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2021 Nissan Kicks has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Nissan pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
The 2021 Nissan Kicks has generated 23 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Drivers side door lock will not function properly. The remote will successfully lock/unlock all of the other doors. If the drivers door is locked with the key it will remain locked despite the other doors unlocking with the remote. This problem has been widely reported on Nissan online forums, there are no indicator/warning lights associated with this issue. This issue provides the illusion of a securely locked car when then drivers door remains unlocked, providing an opportunity for theft or worse while parked. This has been an ongoing issue since purchasing the vehicle.” (NHTSA Complaint #11662960)
Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2021 Nissan Kicks has 7 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “THE VDC WARNING CAME ON AGAIN GOING NORTH WITH NO REASON WHY DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WARNINGS THAT NO WRECK HAPPENED YOU NEED TO HAVE THESE AUTOS RECALLED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. WHY DON’T YOU RECALL THESE AUTOS AND HAVE NISSAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM.” (NHTSA Complaint #11517763)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Nissan Kicks include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 5 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “I have been having to constantly replace key fobe batteries since I bought it in May of 2025 needing jumps although auto zone said it shows no issues with battery ? Often no key detection I just changed the batteries at dealership but everyday just about I need a jump it’s frustrating, dealership was trying to sell me a battery? My antifreeze is low Nissan said it’s the overflow because it looks empty auto zone also said I needed it. Fluids should have been topped off at time of purchase. And was told that stuff lasts forever help!” (NHTSA Complaint #11719792)
The 2021 Nissan Kicks has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Apple Play/radio do not turn on once the car is started. I brought it to the dealer and was told that there were no updates available at this time and I would have to replace the unit.” (NHTSA Complaint #11714753)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Nissan Kicks have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 3 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a loud boom coming from the engine compartment with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the traffic light turned red, and the contact stopped the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to move when the light turned green. The contact stated that the driver behind started honking the horn however, the contact was unable to drive off and waved the other driver to go around. The contact stated that when the vehicle finally responded, the vehicle reversed instead and crashed into another vehicle. The Police was called, and a Police report was filed. The contact sustained a left side muscle strain from the neck down to the hip. The contact received medical attention at the Emergency Room. The contact called the Insurance provider, and the vehicle was towed to a Collision Center. The contact was informed that the failure was transmission related. The Insurance provider stated that the damages to the body of the vehicle would be repaired however, any failures to the transmission was not covered, and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The Insurance provider stated that there were transmission related recalls for similar vehicles; however, the contact had not received any notifications of a transmission recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.” (NHTSA Complaint #11698119)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Nissan Kicks by the NHTSA or Nissan. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
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
Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
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
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Nissan Kicks:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Nissan to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Nissan must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2021 Nissan Kicks qualifies as a lemon under California law, Nissan may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Nissan a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Nissan dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Nissan pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Nissan a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Nissan is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2021 Nissan Kicks has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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