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ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-NISSAN-VERSANHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Nissan
2021 Nissan Versa problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 31 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2021 Nissan Versa has 31 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 75,000 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Versa?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2021 Nissan Versa? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 75,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 4 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 6,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
airbags — 3 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 6,000 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 Versa· visibility
New car purchased 10/19/2021. Did not test drive at night. When I drove it the next night there is severe rear windshield refraction/distortion at night. Multiple head light reflections for every car behind. Unable to safely determine where cars are behind my vehicle. Contacted…
Rear window tinting - dealer installed. Causes severe distortion/refraction on rear windshield during night driving making it impossible to determine where the cars are behind me.
When I bought the car, I knew it was not going to be a fast car. After driving for a couple months, I would be going to turn left at an intersection, and it would be sluggish getting across. Eventually you could feel it kick into gear and take off. It now seems to be getting…
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…
Had a problem with your 2021 Nissan Versa?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
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.
Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Nissan Versa reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Nissan Versa is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Nissan Versa?
The 2021 Nissan Versa is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Nissan Versa?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Nissan Versa a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 31 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 75,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Nissan Versa?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 75,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Versa has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Nissan Versa?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 31 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Nissan/Versa.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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