Model year 2021 · Compact Cars

2021 Nissan Versa: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Versa at 30–35 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

3

EPA combined mpg

30–35

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Nissan dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Nissan Versa recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2021 Nissan Versa, newest first.

Steering: Electric power assist system

NHTSA 23V496000 Reported Jul 18, 2023
Filed by
Nissan North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. PMA26)
Units affected
11,824 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Steering: Electric power assist system

NHTSA 22V693000 Reported Sep 15, 2022
Filed by
Nissan North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. PMA10 / PMA25)
Units affected
20,040 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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 / PMA25.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Exterior lighting: Turn signal: Bulbs

NHTSA 21V471000 Reported Jun 23, 2021
Filed by
Nissan North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. PM986 / PC811)
Units affected
30,799 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Nissan Versa fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Nissan Versa EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Versa1.6L 4-cylAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular32/40/35 mpg$1,900254
Versa1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular27/35/30 mpg$2,250296

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Nissan Versa crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Nissan Versa NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars11.8%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Nissan Versa owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Nissan Versa, most recently on Oct 14, 2026. 5 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Nissan Versa complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Power train9
Electrical system6
Engine5
Unknown or other5
Air bags4
Steering4
Visibility/wiper3
Exterior lighting2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Service brakes2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Nissan Versa model years

Nissan Versa by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2025 Versa30–35 mpg0125/5
2024 Versa30–35 mpg1965/5
2023 Versa30–35 mpg1375/5
2022 Versa30–35 mpg0205/5
2020 Versa30–35 mpg2645/5
2019 Versa30–34 mpg1254/5
2018 Versa29–34 mpg3604/5
2017 Versa29–34 mpg372—
2016 Versa29–34 mpg01104/5
2015 Versa29–34 mpg22494/5

All Nissan Versa years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Nissan models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Nissan.