CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Nissan Kicks body problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Nissan Kicks have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What stands out
Body accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE PERFORMANCE/DIAGNOSIS SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two distinct problems with the 2021 Kicks body. First, the driver-side door lock fails to respond to the remote while all other doors unlock normally. The door can be locked manually with the key but won't unlock via remote, giving the illusion the vehicle is secured when it isn't—a real security concern in parking lots. Owners note this issue widely discussed on Nissan forums with no warning lights to alert them.
Second, 22 of 23 complaints describe paint chipping above the upper windshield crease with rust visible underneath. All the paint-chipping reports come from fleet units, suggesting a manufacturing or paint-application defect. The chipping exposes bare metal to moisture, accelerating corrosion. Neither issue includes owner repair costs or manufacturer acknowledgment in these narratives. The lock problem appears ongoing since purchase; the paint chipping timeline isn't stated but affects multiple vehicles uniformly.
Failure modes owners describe
Driver-side door lock inoperative
Driver-side door lock fails to respond to remote unlock signal while other doors unlock normally. Door can be locked with key but will not unlock via remote, creating a false sense of security and potential security risk.
When: Ongoing since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Remote unlock does not function on driver-side door; Other doors unlock normally with remote; Driver-side door remains locked despite remote commands; No warning lights or indicators; Issue reported across Nissan forums
Paint chipping and corrosion at windshield trim
Paint chipping above the upper windshield crease with rust present underneath. Appears to be a systemic issue affecting fleet units.
Symptoms owners cite: Paint chipping above upper windshield crease; Rusting present at chipped area
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2021 Nissan Kicks?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2021 Nissan Kicks?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Nissan/Kicks.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.