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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2021 Nissan Kicks Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
14%of 78 total for the year
Median mileage
72,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Nissan Kicks, 14% of the 78 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The car won’t accelerate pass 40mph , ABS light will turn on , it completely stopped on the free way. I waited 5 minutes and the car started running. I d been doing this since march 2026. Got a diagnosis they thought it was a wheel bearings and sensor but the car didn’t accelerate again. And stopped working.”

NHTSA complaint #11770181, filed 2026-10

“At 54,000 miles on my car my car was shaking and not wanting to go past 20miles an hour. My check engine light came on. Safety was at risk, there was no warning that my car was having trouble. It was driving fine one minute and ttem all of a sudden check engine light came on. Feel that the cvt engines in Nissan are not safe”

NHTSA complaint #11604841, filed 2024-07

“The CVT transmission is slipping and losing acceleration while driving, overheating and smelling really bad like burnt rubber, the oil is black and smells burnt, its currently at 52,100 miles and I sent it up to Chuck Colvin Nissan and they did not fix my car, they drove it back to me and when I test drove it myself it broke down on the side of the road and I had to sit for 30 minutes for it to cool off before driving home”

NHTSA complaint #11752854, filed 2026-07

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11756958, filed 2026-08

“We have had several problems with our 2021 Nissan Kicks, all of which are safety concerns, and all of which have have occurred at well under 100,000 miles. We purchased the vehicle from a Nissan dealer in January of 2022. 1 - Rust is bubbling up from under the paint. I am told this is perforating rust that could easily spread to or originate from the frame of the vehicle. This could cause the entire structure to fail. Despite the 5 year, no mileage limitation warranty for perforating rust, Nissan has refused to comply with the warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11715572, filed 2026-02

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026111%
2025512%
202425%
2023412%
2022417%
20211114%
20202121%
20191914%
201889%

Other parts of the 2021 Nissan Kicks

Body and structure
24 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsForward collision avoidance
15 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsLane departure
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Nissan Kicks

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology