2020 Nissan Kicks Complaints
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
96
Total
7
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Most Reported Components
Owner Complaint Reports
Showing 25 of 96 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/16/2025
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. While driving from a stop, the vehicle started sputtering and lost motive power. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 45 MPH while driving uphill with the RPM elevated. The failure occurred while the outdoor temperature was above 95 degrees. The failure had persisted over time. The contact stated that the floorboard was extremely hot during the failure. The contact was concerned about being in a crash with her child in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the transmission was flushed, but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Trophy Nissan Service (5031 N Galloway Ave, Mesquite, TX 75150), but the cause of the failure was not determined. Additionally, an independent mechanic was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer, Nissan, was called, and a voice mail was left for customer service, but there was no response. An email was sent to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
TIRES — Filed 09/10/2026
My tire is 205 50r17 and they gave me a 235 tire which made my car feel funny . I’ve been sitting here for an hour waiting on a tire and they messed up my rim
POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/05/2026
My car when in over 95 degree weather, literally will not have power to get up hills and starts to jerk and looses power to make the hills. When the temps outside are cooler the car works fine. I live in [XXX] and I drive long distance to work. I also have a [XXX] son that has to be in the car with me. I can’t have my car messing up all because it’s hot outside and it obviously doesn’t like the heat. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 07/18/2026
My 2020 Nissan Kicks with 62,000 miles, went into limp mode on XXX and after a diagnostic test by the Pinnacle Nissan dealership in Scottsdale ([XXX]), it was determined a "Throttle Body Replacement" was needed. I paid $1,143.69 for that work. On XXX, the car went into limp mode again while on the freeway and the Pinnacle Nissan dealership in Scottsdale stated it needed an "Engine Wire Harness" replacement that would cost $8,057.83. I then contacted Nissan consumer affairs and after one month of review, it was determined that the car was out of warranty and there was nothing they can do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/07/2026
Check engine light appears on and throws code p0101, mass air flow sensor. Have changed mass air flow sensor twice, had code cleared at mechanic. Drive 5 miles and BAM check engine light appears. As soon as my car hits 2000 RPM, the front and rear collision lights and traction light come on… my car almost doesn’t move when I press the gas to go after this happens and the rpm’s are up to 3000-4000 just going 30 mph
ENGINE — Filed 07/15/2026
My vehicle over the last 3-4 years has been showing P0101 code errors, resulting in issues with idle, performance, and fuel economy. Cleaning the MAF sensor does nothing. This causes all sensors to turn off and stay off until the car is subsequently turned off again. I have taken it in to Nissan to be inspected and refuse to pay over $500 just for them to diagnose the issue. Have seen this also being a recurring issue with other owners.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/08/2026
CVT issues-car is sputtering and gears slipping. Vehicle has 148,000 miles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/30/2026
The vehicle's ABS Actuator (47660-5RW0D) failed and was replaced. Given the mileage was only 32,827, the component failed prematurely and was nowhere near the end of its lifetime expectancy. This indicates it was inherently defective from the factory. This premature failure presented a critical safety hazard. Because the component controls anti-lock braking and the electronic stability control, a sudden failure compromises vehicle safety, increases stopping distances, and poses an immediate risk to driver, passenger, and public safety. Multiple warning lights have been sporadically coming on, every few months, since November of 2025 when the vehicle was serviced, but would go after the vehicle was turned off. This was dismissed as an electric glitch due to a firmware update after researching online to find this was a common occurrence and would just be fixed the next time the vehicle was serviced. Finally, a few days prior to 05/30/2026, the lights came on and stayed on. The vehicle was checked for a bad battery at a local auto parts store on 05/30/2026 as this was researched to be another common possibility. When this was ruled out, the vehicle was taken to a local dealership and inspected and diagnosed to be the bad ABS actuator.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/13/2026
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while the fiancé was driving approximately 30 MPH, and turning left the power steering and power brake suddenly failed causing the fiancé to loose control of the steering and and crash to a traffic pole. The contact indicated that prior to the incident the crash detection warning light had activated. During the crash the air bags deployed and the driver sustain bruising of the left arm and lefts from the air bag deployment and seatbelts. The fiance was transported and treated at the local hospital. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/01/2025
The car acceleration issues, taking a long time to go from 0-50 with the tachometer going up to 5 to do so. My MPG has gone from 33 to 28 mpg. There are times when I press on the gas but my car doesn’t move. It also makes loud “rumbling” or “whining” sounds at times.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 11/21/2025
The dash board lights up and the check engine light comes. It’s hard to accelerate or reverse and its idles high. I have replaced coils, spark plugs, censors and it’s costs me thousands of dollars and it’s still not fixed.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/24/2026
Vehicle was just purchased from a Nissan Dealership (2020 Kicks) and less than 1,300 miles of driving throwing a code stating there is a problem with CVT transmission. Will not produce enough power when going uphill. RPMs will suddenly not go over 1 when given gas uphill. There was a recall for this problem on other 2020 kicks but ours isn't covered and we just purchased this vehicle and drove it home less than 2 months ago.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 10/29/2025
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that the ABS, Forward Facing Camera, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), Lane Variation, and other safety feature lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ABS and Forward-Facing Camera. The dealer diagnosed that the ADAS needed to be replaced; however, the part was on back order. While awaiting parts for the repair, the battery started to lose power and needed to be jump-started several times. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/03/2024
The sensor lights constantly come on and then the engine light comes on. When I got the engine light read, it says I need a new mass airflow sensor. I have replaced this sensor 3 times now and the air filter, the same issue is occurring over and over again. Every sensor light comes on and the car starts to decelerate while you are driving making it difficult to press the gas or accelerate to a higher speed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/27/2025
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic control module. The contact was informed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. In addition, the contact referenced an online site, which referenced the failure with the vehicle, and for parts were not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
SEAT BELTS — Filed 11/04/2025
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side seat belt independently unlatched. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197. The VIN was not available.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/15/2025
When driving my car the crash light comes on in traffic and sometimes when braking. Recently it started to flash the hydroplaning symbol and now the check engine is on. I’ve seen other people online having the same issue with their vehicles as well.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/15/2025
The engine harness and electrical wiring have caused the entire vehicle to lose signal. This issue has cause my.car to stall and not accelerate while driving. Entire lights on dashboard come one and vehicle is unable to accerlerate. Vehicle is currently at the dealer and that is the tecnicians conclusion. No signs before aside from dashboard lights turning on. Vehicle was taken to DMV soon after.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/18/2025
I was driving and needed to come to a stop because there was a four-way stop sign, and the brakes didn’t work. The pedal went all the way to the floor and even though I pumped the brakes, it wouldn’t stop. This is the second incident where this happens. I checked the brake pads and fluid everything is good. No warning lights come on when this happens. So the mechanic says they cannot check and see what’s wrong with it because no lights come on.
AIR BAGS — Filed 02/28/2024
A Nissan Rouge hit my car took off the entire front of the car and the air bags did not deploy.
SUSPENSION,WHEELS — Filed 10/21/2023
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kick. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 20-25 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle suddenly lost control causing the vehicle to go straight across the road instead of completing the left turn. The vehicle crashed into 2 mailboxes before it came to a stop. The passenger side wheel bent outward causing the passenger side fender to lodge into the door. The driver-side wheel had turned in the opposite direction. The passenger side axle detached from the transmission. The lower ball joint detached from the lower control arm and the sway bar had fractured The air bags did not deploy. The mailboxes were damaged. The contact received bruising to their abdominal area. No medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair center where the passenger side axle, passenger side lower control arm, and both front wheels and rims were replaced. Several sensors associated with the front of the vehicle, the bumper, the fender, the passenger side headlight assembly, struts, and suspension were all replaced as well. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,485.
AIR BAGS — Filed 03/05/2022
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic signal, a truck with a snow plow came up on the driver's side of the vehicle where a corner of the plow crashed into the passenger rear driver-side door, and then crashed into the driver's side door. The corner of the plow had torn a gash through the passenger door. The contact stated that both the rear passenger and driver's door glass had shattered. The driver's door was crushed but had not been penetrated by the corner of the plow. The contact had suffered cuts and bruises on his left arm, with a partial tear of his rotator cuff of his left shoulder. The contact stated that he was concussed. The contact was transported by ambulance to an ER. The police were on the scene and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact stated that the side air bags had not deployed or any other air bags in the vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and had sent a manufacturer investigator to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.
AIR BAGS — Filed 08/06/2022
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH while making a turn, a second speeding vehicle crashed into the front drivers side of the vehicle causing significant damage to the front driver side. During the crash neither the front driver side air bag or the front passenger side air bag had deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE — Filed 03/05/2022
SIDE IMPACTED BY 52 YEAR OLD JEEP. BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS CAVED IN, WINDOWS SHATTERED, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/29/2021
I am the owner of the vehicle but my daughter was the driver and I am making the complaint on her behalf but she can provide additional details. The vehicle began making a grinding sound at times that sounds similar to the anti-lock braking. Then on Oct 29 the vehicle locked down the brakes as she was pulling into the parking lot at work when there was not a collision imminent. She skidded into the curb damaging her front driver side wheel. We took the vehicle to the Dick Smith Nissan dealer in Lexington SC but they told us they couldn't reproduce the failure and recommended we bring it back if it happened again. We went to pick up the vehicle but before leaving with the car I drove the car around the parking lot and the forward collision light came on in under a minute. They immediately took the car back to service to read the code and asked if we could leave the vehicle with them. They called back after a day or two and said they have no repair and recommended we contact Nissan Consumer Affairs and start a case. We started a case on 11/5/2021 and the case number is 45086982.
About This Data
Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.
View on NHTSA.gov