2018 Nissan Kicks problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (12) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings (11) · Engine (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Kicks model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2019-09-12 · campaign 19V654000 · 1,228,830 vehicles
Defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible an
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Service bulletins (125)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2026-04-08 · NTB23-048A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dtc p17f4 stored in the tcm if you confirm the customer reports transmission vibration when accelerating, hint: vibration occurs during quick reacceleration after braking, during a 2-1 downshift of the auxiliary gearbox. and dtc p17f4 for “auxiliary gearbox (cl judder)” is stored in the tcm. · if dt
Service Brakes 2025-02-20 · NTB19-033G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
intelligent cruise control inoperative and aeb/feb warning light on or radar obstruction message displayed with dtc c1a16 or c2582 if you confirm important: the purpose of action (on the next page) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. you must closely follow the entire ser
Air Bags 2024-09-19 · NTB19-071D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dtc b00a0-00 stored this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin. if you confirm dtc b00a0-00 (occupant detection sensor unit) is stored, and ocs zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 125 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-02 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“shows an error with the front collision sensor, the engine losses power and eventually shuts down (engine turns off) in the middle of the highway. the check engine light turns on as well as the automatic emergency braking system warning light and the slip indicator light. it also displays the image of the front sensor light on with the warning me…”
2026-09-18 · Engine“my transmission failed while traveling on a highway at 60mph almost causing an accident. issues with this generation of cvt transmissions have been the subject of multiple lawsuits and warrenty extensions. nissan is knowingly selling defective vehicles and offer no assistance in resolving their failures. nissan needs to be held accountable for risk…”
2026-07-25 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“it originally started about two years ago when the check engine light came on (along with others) that point to a code with the mass air flow sensor. it would stall at low rpms at traffic lights, and was extremely worrying during normal driving. we got it replaced and so far okay, but recently the abs and traction control lights come on and stay on…”
2026-06-09 · Unknown Or Other“2018 nissan kicks evap system has holes in it from freon that causes the freon to leak out. the required freon is contributing to the holes being made in the aluminum evap. it leaks out and the air blows hot. is there any help with a recall or repair. i was quoted $4000 to fix. possible lemon laws. if you research on google. the kicks are notorio…”
2026-04-19 · Engine“vehicle experienced sudden engine stall/shutdown after warning indicators illuminated. while driving at low speed, the abs warning light, front collision warning light, and check engine light appeared. after placing the vehicle in park, the engine shut off unexpectedly. vehicle would then restart but stall again within several seconds. this create…”
2026-04-07 · Engine · 100,574 mi“the contact owns a 2018 nissan kicks. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions and was diagnosed with airf…”
2026-03-18 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“when put in park car started idling rough and then stalled. engine light, collision warning light, and traction control light came on. code scanned as a p0101 code. …”
2026-03-04 · Visibility/Wiper“radio skips songs back and forth randomly, and now radio screen and buttons are block. …”
2026-02-10 · Service Brakes“intermittently for the last year, car will show 3 dash lights: 1. aeb light 2. slip indicator light 3. master warning light when this occurs, the car can be slow to accelerate. when the three lights are on, the problem will persist until the engine is shut off for a period of several minutes. it does not occur every time the car is driven. in…”
2026-02-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the p0101 code has been going on and off of this car since purchase (3 years) the maf sensor has been replaced twice and the check engine light comes back on after just a few days each time. this poses a safety risk because the car stops at stop lights and turns off, the car shakes at idle, the car refuses to accelerate risking pulling out in front…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.