NissanKicks2021Overview/nissan/kicks/2021/base/

2021 Nissan Kicks

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Kicks.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2021 Nissan Kicks is characterized by its efficient drivetrain, utilizing an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios to achieve EPA fuel economy ratings of 31 city, 36 highway, and 33 combined mpg. From a reliability perspective, this model year has generated 72 owner complaints alongside two recalls, with the vehicle's structure serving as the primary complaint area. Although the 2021 sits well below the model's most problematic year—the 2019 Kicks with 133 complaints—it remains far above the lowest year of 2026, indicating to researchers that this particular model year still warrants caution regarding its documented structural concerns.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy31/36/33 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 510 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 510 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205/55R17 91VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165465RB1A
Spark plug224015RL1B
Front wiper blades288905RL0B discontinued · alt 288905RL0A
Serpentine belt117205RB0B
Thermostat212005RF3A alt 210495RF3A
Cabin air filter278915RB0C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length169.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height63.4 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2692 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined31 / 36 / 33 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Kicks of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.0–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.00 sec — 2021 SR
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021SR 1.6L I-410.00 sec17.90 sec122 hpFWD
2021SR 1.6L I-410.10 sec17.70 sec122 hpFWD
2020SR 1.6L I-410.50 sec18.00 sec122 hpFWD
2018SR 1.6L I-49.70 sec17.50 sec125 hpFWD
2018SR 1.6L I-49.70 sec17.50 sec125 hpFWD
2018SR 1.6L I-49.90 sec17.60 sec125 hpFWD
2018SR 1.6L I-49.90 sec17.60 sec125 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: NS rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Checking & Speed-Up Speed: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.060

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bracket Bolts 9-111.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-1117 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts., Step 3: 14.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 60-65°20 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts., Step 3: 14.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 60-65°20 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°, Step 3: Loosen all bolts in reverse order of tightening. Step 4: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 75°, Step 6: 75°30 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65°24 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65°24 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miKeyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks sits in the middle of the generation’s complaint arc, with 72 total complaints—a notable drop from the 2019 peak of 133 but still higher than the 22 complaints recorded for 2022. Its two recalls are the highest count in the generation up to that point (2018–2020 had one or zero), though later years like 2025 would see four recalls. The top complaint area is Structure (23 reports), followed by Forward Collision Avoidance (7) and Electrical System (5), and the data shows six crash complaints but zero fire incidents. The overall trend shows complaints declining after 2019, but 2021’s recall count is an outlier compared to adjacent years. Without root causes specified in the data, it’s unclear whether the two recalls indicate a specific quality issue or are part of normal variance. **Given the moderate complaint volume and higher recall count relative to surrounding years, the 2021 Kicks is a cautious buy—acceptable if you prioritize the lower complaint trend, but you should verify that both recalls have been performed.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
102
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
72
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 72 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure23
Forward Collision Avoidance7
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train4
Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V693000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 15/09/2022

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…

23V496000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 18/07/2023

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 102 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-048A2026-04-08Electrical SystemDTC P17F4 STORED IN THE TCM IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports transmission vibration…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Kicks. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Kicks have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Kicks get?

EPA figures are 31 city / 36 highway / 33 combined mpg.