2020 Nissan Kicks problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (17) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings (13) · Service Brakes (9)
🧭 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
27 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (123)
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 · NTB19-042F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
automatic emergency braking warning light blinking applied systems: vehicles equipped with a lane camera (see figure 1) service information if the automatic emergency braking (aeb) warning light or is blinking (but not illuminated steadily) or the customer states it is blinking, and there are no rel
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
Lane Departure: Warning 2024-10-04 · NTB20-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lane camera aiming vehicle reference values not in esm service information if the lane camera requires aiming, the values in table a on page 4 must be used. for all other models/model years, consult the electronic service manual (esm).
Showing the 6 most recent of 123 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-25 · Unknown Or Other“when driving, if the wind blows or we hit a small bump in the road, the traction control light will flash & and the car will completely lose the ability to accelerate. then, the car will have to come to a complete stop to regain acceleration. we have taken the car to nissan at least 5 times, and they only suggested replacing the front sensors on t…”
2026-09-26 · Power Train“date: xxxto:national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa)office of defects investigation (odi)1200 new jersey avenue, sewest buildingwashington, dc 20590from:[xxx] [xxx]: formal vehicle safety complaint – sudden loss of propulsion and traffic hesitation / 2020 nissan kicks (vin: [xxx])to the office of defects investigation,i am writing to …”
2026-09-16 · Power Train · 150,000 mi“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 cont…”
2026-09-11 · Tires“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…”
2026-09-10 · Power Train“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’…”
2026-08-15 · Electrical System“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 scot…”
2026-07-15 · Engine“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 …”
2026-07-15 · Unknown Or Other“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 aft…”
2026-07-11 · Power Train“cvt issues-car is sputtering and gears slipping. vehicle has 148,000 miles.…”
2026-06-07 · Service Brakes“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-…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.