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2021 Nissan Kicks steering problems

moderate Owners of the 2021 Nissan Kicks have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →

Ask A Mechanic
Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Nissan Kicks, by model year
Model yearsteering complaints
2018 Kicks 4
2019 Kicks 3
2020 Kicks 3
2021 Kicks (this page) 3
2022 Kicks 5
What stands out

Among the 5 model years of Nissan Kicks in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.

All 2 active steering recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 22V693000 September 15, 2022

Nissan North America, Inc

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

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 may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PMA10 / PMA25.
severe NHTSA 23V496000 July 18, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc

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

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 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.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.

Service Bulletin NTB08-097L Sep 2023

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin NTB08-097K Feb 2023

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin PMA04 2021 Kicks Mar 2022

Steering Column Dealer Inventory ***** Dealer Announcement ***** Nissan is now updating the temporary hold on 6 specific model year 2021 Kicks® vehicles identified in Service Comm to a dealer inventory quality action. Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and, if necessary, replace the steering column assembly. Due to a supplier manufacturing concern, vehicles may lose Steering Assist. Affected vehicles are subject to stop sale and are either currently in dealer inventory or assigned and in transit to the dealer. ***** What Dealers Should Do ***** PLEASE FOLLOW THE ATTACHED INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Verify if vehicles are affected by this quality action using Service Comm o

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

steering · filed 11/21/2025

The likely failed component is the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL). Associated systems include the steering column, BCM, and EPS motor. Yes, the vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request (Owner: [XXX] , [XXX] ). The safety of the owner and other drivers was put at risk by the sudden, unpredictable loss of steering control (locking mid-turn). This makes it impossible…

steering · filed 08/14/2026

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. There is a TSB on it but I believe it is a safety issue due to it being a loose axle nut and vibration

Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2021 Nissan Kicks?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the steering 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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.
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