Owners have reported 6 crashes and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Nissan Kicks. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring electrical system issues with the 2020 Nissan Kicks. Commonly, dashboard warning lights illuminate unexpectedly, often accompanied by vehicle stalling or failure to accelerate, typically occurring around 59,000 to 66,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention problems with the electronic control module, mass air flow sensor, and various collision and safety sensors. Safety implications arise as some owners describe sudden braking or loss of control, with one incident involving a crash where airbags did not deploy. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the transmission in the 2020 Nissan Kicks, particularly with the CVT transmission. Common symptoms include hesitation during acceleration, slipping, shuddering, and a lack of power, especially when driving uphill or entering traffic. Complaints often mention these issues occurring at relatively low mileages, sometimes before 15,000 miles, and even after transmission replacements. Some owners note that these problems can lead to safety concerns, such as reduced power in high-traffic situations or unexpected limp mode activation on highways. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission issues and the implications for vehicle performance and safety.
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Kicks frequently report issues with the automatic braking system and forward collision sensors. Typical symptoms include the brakes activating unexpectedly at various speeds, often accompanied by warning lights such as a collision warning or a red triangle, even when no obstacles are present. Complaints often arise around 59,000 miles or within a few months of ownership. One incident involved a crash where the vehicle's brakes locked, resulting in a skid into a curb. Potential buyers should be aware of these safety implications, as sudden braking could pose risks, especially in traffic or at high speeds.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report recurring issues with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2020 Nissan Kicks. Complaints frequently mention the forward collision warning light activating without clear cause, and in some cases, the automatic braking system engages unexpectedly. These incidents often occur at various speeds, including highway speeds of 65-70 MPH, raising safety concerns about potential rear-end collisions. Multiple owners describe situations where the system activates while driving through tunnels or in heavy traffic, sometimes causing the vehicle to enter limp mode. The issues are reported to occur sporadically over several months, with some owners experiencing repeated dealership visits without resolution. These patterns suggest potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Owner complaints7
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2020 Nissan Kicks frequently experiences engine-related issues, particularly involving unexpected stalling and rough idling. Complaints commonly describe the engine shutting off at red lights or while driving, with some instances occurring even on highways, posing potential safety risks due to unexpected stops. In several cases, the check engine light illuminates, and diagnostic codes often point to sensor malfunctions, such as mass air flow sensor failures. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 5,700 miles. The intermittent nature of these problems, coupled with difficulties in dealer replication, suggests that potential buyers should be aware of the possibility of unresolved engine concerns.
Owner complaints4
LANE DEPARTURE
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Kicks report issues with lane departure systems, with frequent mentions of sensor malfunctions. Common symptoms include sensor lights illuminating unexpectedly, and the engine light activating, often linked to a mass airflow sensor issue that some owners have replaced multiple times without resolution. Several complaints describe the vehicle losing power suddenly, particularly during acceleration or merging, which could pose a safety risk in traffic. Additionally, one owner notes the system mistakenly reading tar lines as lane departures. While specific mileages are not consistently reported, the recurrence of these issues suggests potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Kicks report issues with air bags failing to deploy during accidents, with three out of four complaints involving crashes. In one instance, a collision with another vehicle resulted in significant front-end damage, yet neither the front driver side nor passenger side air bags deployed. Another complaint describes a crash with a snow plow that led to shattered windows and injuries, but no air bag deployment. These incidents occur at various mileages, with one report at approximately 22,000 miles and another at 60,000 miles. The safety implications are significant, as non-deployment of air bags during crashes could increase the risk of injury.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Kicks report issues related to the fuel/propulsion system, primarily involving unexpected stalling and problems with the fuel door. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly when stopped at traffic lights, in parking lots, or while idling, with some owners experiencing this as early as 250 miles into ownership. Additionally, one owner describes difficulty with the fuel door not opening, leaving them unable to refuel. These issues occur inconsistently and unpredictably, with no warning lights appearing until after the engine stalls. No crashes or fires are reported, but the stalling could present safety concerns in traffic situations.
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners report issues with the steering system of the 2020 Nissan Kicks, including instances where the steering wheel becomes loose during turns or while reversing. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle stalling and hesitating, with one owner noting erratic behavior such as self-acceleration. Another owner describes a situation where the vehicle stalled while driving, although the engine remained running, necessitating a restart to regain movement. These issues are reported alongside other mechanical problems, such as transmission and alternator replacements, indicating potential reliability concerns. The described symptoms pose safety implications, particularly with the stalling incidents while driving, which could lead to loss of control.
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Kicks frequently report issues with the vehicle's speed control system. Common symptoms include the vehicle braking autonomously and the car ceasing to accelerate despite the engine running and the gas pedal being pressed. Additionally, multiple owners describe the lane departure system activating unexpectedly and the collision avoidance system engaging without apparent cause, even when no objects or people are nearby. These issues are not tied to specific mileage ranges in the available complaints. The described problems suggest potential safety concerns, as they involve unexpected braking and loss of acceleration control, which could lead to hazardous driving situations.
