Most common 2021 Nissan Versa problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Versa complaints by model year
Best Versa years: 2019, 2017, 2018. Years to avoid: 2024, 2012, 2009, 2008. Compare all years →
2021 Nissan Versa recalls (3)
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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.
Steering › Electric power assist system
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Bulbs
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Nissan Versa:
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on March 7, 2024, after receiving twenty (20) consumer complaints and multiple field reports describing reduced power (limp mode) after re-starting the vehicle following a stall on certain 2022-2024 model year (MY) Nissan Versa.
What 2021 Nissan Versa owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while attempting to reverse at 2 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights were failing and were independently deactivating. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights switch had to be held manually for the high-beam headlights to remain activated. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys to be diagnosed. The local Pep Boys was unable to duplicate the failure. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired, because the dealer was unable to duplicate failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
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. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued to worsen. I have children and do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle, so it is currently parked.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal from a stop sign, the vehicle started stalling. The contact stated the crash indicator warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21.
The car actuator failed for the left rear door. My car has less than 10k miles, and I submitted a case to their consumer affairs for it to be covered coz it's a premature failure, and they refused to pay for the repairs. I didnt know my car doors were no longer locking properly, and was left in a parking lot unsecured. Also, a passenger sitting on that side of the car would have had to go out the other door, and had there been an accident, that person wouldn't have been able to easily get out. They don't take it as a safety concern. And I know other models of Nissan have had actuator issues, so I don't think this is an isolated incident. And they should be repairing premature failures. Their consumer affairs department has been less than helpful as I have been without a car for almost 3 weeks now, and when I kept trying to call them back, they'd send me to voicemail. …
Air bags
Driver lost control of vehicle and slid along fence to hit a tree stump. Driver airbags went off in time and driver was unscathed. Passenger remembers seeing tree hit car (vision was not obscured by deployed airbag). Passenger was seriously injured and needed airlift to local trauma center. Car was hauled by H&H towing of Gunnison, CO No lights prior to accident. No inspection by manufacturer. No confirmed reproduction by dealer/service center. Attached are police report and detailed report from driver, explaining scenario and injuries sustained.
Driving vehicle about 60-65 mph when collision with another vehicle occurred resulting in moderate front end damage to almost all of front bumper with no airbag deployment and put driver in danger due to speed and mechanism of collision which seems to be a malfunction in safety equipment.
2021 Nissan Versa engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 32 / 40 / 35 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Nissan Versa a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Versa rates better than average: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Versa at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Nissan Versa?
The transmission & drivetrain — 9 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (8) and air bags (5).
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Versa have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2021 Nissan Versa, the most recent from July 18, 2023 (electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Versa?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2017 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2012, 2009 and 2008. See the full Nissan Versa years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Nissan Versa problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 6,000 miles; 67% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.