2019 Nissan Kicks Problems
Compared with other Nissan Kicks years
Typical for this model
52/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Nissan Kicks year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 31 of its 134 complaints were filed by the end of 2021.
- Most reported problem: Engine stalls or won't accelerate (MAF sensor codes) (44 complaints, median 43,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2018
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 134filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles, 36 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 33 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 31 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2019 Nissan Kicks (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints about the 2019 Kicks tend to group around two patterns: the engine cutting out or refusing to accelerate, often with the check engine light and a mass airflow sensor code, and the forward collision warning system triggering falsely or limiting power. Owners also describe intermittent electrical faults and, at higher mileage, CVT transmission problems. Many of the stalling reports come in at modest mileage, and some describe the problem appearing or worsening in cold, wet or snowy conditions.
- Engine
Engine stalls or won't accelerate (MAF sensor codes)
- 44 complaints (33%)
- median 43,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- filed 2019–2026
Owners describe the engine shutting off at stop lights, in traffic, or while driving, sometimes with no warning and sometimes with several dashboard lights coming on, including the check engine light. Many complaints mention code P0101 for the mass airflow sensor; some had that sensor, the throttle body or the battery replaced, often more than once, and report the light and the stalling returning. Some owners say the dealer could not reproduce the fault or found no stored code. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to roughly 70,000, with several complaints filed in recent years.
What to check: Ask for the service history on mass airflow sensor, throttle body and battery replacements, and have a scan tool check for stored or pending P0101 codes before buying.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Radio turns off and on. On its own!!! Car stops on it's own!!! Transmission slips in reverse on hills!! Now a grinding noise when starting the vehicle. Only have had my Kicks 1 year!!! I am livid!!!!! I am so mad!!! I have a 3 year old and I cannot risk my life because a brand new car stops in the middle of the highway!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11366209, filed 2020-10, 18,000 miles“My 2018 Nissan kicks stalled several times, twice while at a stop light and once while driving. There was no warning or any indicators letting me know that the vehicle stalled. The two times at the light I was only able to notice because I couldn’t get the car to go while pressing the gas. The time I was driving the car suddenly stalled and slowed down and the steering wheel became stiff. I had to place it in neutral and pull over. I took my car to the manufacturer where I bought the car and explained it to them. …”
NHTSA complaint #11607376, filed 2024-08 - Forward collision avoidance
Forward collision warning false alarms and power loss
- 32 complaints (24%)
- median 19,500 mi at 2.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2019–2026
Owners say the forward collision or automatic emergency braking light comes on with nothing in front of the car, sometimes showing a malfunction message, and that the vehicle then loses power or refuses to accelerate. Restarting, or turning the car off and opening the door, sometimes clears it. Several complaints describe dealers clearing codes or recalibrating sensors rather than replacing parts. Appears at a wide range of mileage, and several complaints describe it in snow, rain, or wet road conditions.
What to check: Ask whether radar or camera alignment work was done and whether any related service bulletins were applied; note whether the warning light appears on a test drive in rain or on a hill.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driving like normal and the car ahead of me slammed on their brakes to avoid a wreck I slammed on mine to prevent this afterward traffic started moving on and the collision and impact sensor came on but I didn't hit anything. I have looked at the manual and it will not tell the owner me how to get the crash light to go off. Even online you can find nothing about how to reset or turn off the alert. …”
NHTSA complaint #11279135, filed 2019-11, 12,593 miles“My Nissan Kicks 2019 have a few problems. First it turn on the sensor of check engine. Also the traction control sensor is on. But the worst of all is that the the front proximity sensor is giving up false alarms and is stopping the car while driving. This is driving me crazy because the car does it on unexpected places. Is this happening only to my car? I am going to take my car for service but it make me feel afraid that it could happen again.”
NHTSA complaint #11363295, filed 2020-10, 23,500 miles - Brakes
ABS warning light and actuator replacement
- 17 complaints (13%)
- median 52,300 mi at 6.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2022–2026
Complaints describe the ABS warning light coming on while driving and a dealer diagnosis of a failed ABS actuator or control module needing replacement. Some owners report the part is on backorder, and one mentions being quoted a replacement cost. Others say the light was attributed to a sensor at first and the full module later. Mostly reported between roughly 12,000 and 90,000 miles, with several complaints filed in 2024 through 2026.
What to check: Check that the ABS light goes out after start-up and ask for any record of ABS actuator or module service or replacement.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My ABS lights came on a couple of years ago and the Nisan repair shop said it was just a sensor issue and replaced it. When it came on again this year, it was the entire system that needed to be replaced and the service manager acknowledged that it is a known issue with this make and model of this car. In addition, my freshly out of warranty vehicle now needs a complete replacement of the air conditioning cooling system for which I have been quoted over $4K, again with the service manager telling me it's a known issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11731674, filed 2026-04“The ABS control Module is working intermittently. Nissan states that they have a problem with this so much that there is a backorder on the item. The replacement cost from the manufacturer is between $1500 and $2000.”
NHTSA complaint #11631964, filed 2024-12 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission rumble, slipping and jerking (CVT)
- 25 complaints (19%)
- median 35,511 mi at 1.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2019–2026
Owners describe the CVT slipping, rumbling on turns or take-off, hesitant or jerky acceleration, and occasional loss of power. In some complaints the dealer replaced the transmission, in one case twice, and the symptoms returned; others were told the vehicle was operating as designed. Mostly reported from about 65,000 miles upward, with some complaints at lower mileage and after only a few months of ownership.
What to check: Ask whether CVT fluid was serviced on schedule and whether the transmission has been replaced or reprogrammed; listen for rumble or hesitation on a test drive from a stop.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Transmission has been iffy. Randomly slipping rpms. Driving down the highway everything shut off and it stopped in the middle of the road multiple cars narrowly missing me. I could have died because of a broken transmission! Only four months old bought it brand new only 5k miles on it. This is not okay! This could have killed me and people around me! Unacceptable!”
NHTSA complaint #11289166, filed 2019-12, 5,100 miles“The CVT transmission in my Kicks slips every time I try to accelerate. It will also stall out from time to time, lose power and die. I've had this happen on an interstate before, almost causing a serious wreck. I have taken it to the dealership multiple times and they keep telling me that there is nothing wrong with it mechanically that they can see.”
NHTSA complaint #11576847, filed 2024-03 - Electrical system
Radio, keyless and other electrical faults
- 32 complaints (24%)
- median 43,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2019–2026
Owners report the radio cutting out, freezing or rebooting, sometimes with Bluetooth audio. Others describe the vehicle not starting with a no-key-detected message, the alarm going off on its own, or the vehicle losing all power with multiple warning lights flashing. Some say dealers could not duplicate the faults. Reported from low mileage up to around 50,000 miles, at varying ages.
Recall 19V6540004 related service bulletins
What to check: Test the radio, Bluetooth and keyless start during the test drive, and ask whether any infotainment or key-related service bulletins were applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Issues with MAF sensor. All the lights on dashboard illuminated while the car was difficult to accelerate down the driveway. Reader at auto parts centers showed fault with the mass airflow sensor. Sensor and battery have been replaced 3x since getting the vehicle in 2019. Lights on dashboard and reader code shows fault with the MAF sensor again! Car lags when accelerating and doesn’t feel like it has full power. Car has had issues not turning on in parking lot. ALL Dash lights turn on immediately after driving vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11621752, filed 2024-10“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle eventually operated as designed. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on eight different occasion and each time the vehicle was either driven or towed to the local dealer. Each time the service center was unable to determine the cause of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11509725, filed 2023-03, 10,000 miles
Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored engine, ABS and airbag codes, since several complaints involve intermittent faults that do not show up on a short drive. Ask for the full service history, especially on the mass airflow sensor, ABS module and CVT, and confirm whether open recalls were completed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 134 consumer complaints for the 2019 Nissan Kicks. 36 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 139 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Nissan Kicks model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 52 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system39 29%
- Engine35 26%
- Other or unknown32 24%
- Brakes22 16%
- Vehicle speed control15 11%
- Fuel system14 10%
- Air bags4 3.0%
Also reported: Steering (4), Suspension (4), Electronic stability control (2), Wheels (2), Engine cooling (1), Seats (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Forward collision avoidance: “Front impact warning light comes on and affects the cruise control and tries to stop without anything in front of car. This car only has 4200 miles and has been in shop 5 fives for the same thing and all Nissan dealership does is clear code, adjust sensors and/or calibrate sensors but never changes out sensors. There is already several class action lawsuits with Nissan on front sensor and this malfunction. This is clearly a hazard driving the car and is a safety issue to drive since this car can try to stop when nothing is in front of car.”
NHTSA complaint #11383967, filed 2020-12, 4,200 milesElectrical system: “I was driving on highway and the front collision sensor kept going off. We pulled the vehicle over at our destination and parked. Cleared front cameras shut engine off, and all warning malfunction indicators kept lighting up. 1st no key detected, then brake warning, then head light malfunction, then brake, seat belt, and check engine warnings all flashed at same time. Then after sometime passed brakes locked up, and power to entire car was gone. No lights no nothing. Towed car to dealership where I purchased it, they had it for 2 days and could not find the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389084, filed 2021-01, 26,903 milesEngine: “While exiting the freeway/slowing to stop at a light, my front collision light came on and no one was ahead of me. While still in motion my vehicles engine shut off and I had to pull the emergency brake to regain control of the vehicle. I put my foot on the break at the light and shifted the car from drive to park. Keeping my foot on the break started the engine with the push button which had trouble turning over and the dash lit up the following lights: master indicator, slip warning and automatic emergency breaking system warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #11365991, filed 2020-10, 15,500 milesOther or unknown: “There is a grinding sound that seems to come from the passenger's front quarter of my Kicks. I cannot replicate it. I has happened several times and seems to decelerate the car. It normally happens when I am pulling out of my apartment complex. I cannot recreate the issue. I took the vehicle into a dealer a few weeks ago for an oil change and asked them to check it out. They said nothing seemed wrong and of course they could not recreate the sound either. I don't know if it is coincidence or not, but my fuel efficiency has seemed to decrease as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331277, filed 2020-06, 21,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
69% of the 36 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 58,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2019 Nissan Kicks. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicks · SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 15.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2019 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2019 Nissan Kicks version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicks FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | CVT | 31 | 36 | 33 | $2,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 19V654000Sep 12, 2019Back over prevention › Sensing system › CameraCovers: Nissan Kicks 2018–2019, Infiniti QX30 2018–2019, Nissan Armada 2018–2019 +23 more
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…
Recall details for the 2019 Nissan Kicks → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 139 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. 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…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. 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…
- 11031703Apr 8, 2026Electrical system. 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…
- 11014471Feb 20, 2025Electrical system, Brakes, Forward collision avoidance. 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)…
- 11009068Sep 19, 2024Air bags. 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…
- 11004962May 21, 2024Electrical system. 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.
- 11004961May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004971May 15, 2024Electrical system. RAB WARNING LIGHT ON IN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND/OR DTC B2724-23 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004969May 11, 2024Electrical system. DTC C1A17-49 OR C2580-49 STORED IN LASER/RADAR This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Other model years of the Nissan Kicks
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 2,086 | 3 | 4 | 31 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 42 | 8,479 | 4 | 4 | 33 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 40 | 21,421 | 1 | 4 | 33 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 34 | 50,550 | 1 | 4 | 33 | 12 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 24 | 10,150 | 0 | 4 | 33 | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 78 | 68,508 | 2 | 4 | 33 | 60 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 98 | 6,000 | 0 | 4 | 33 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 134 | 18,000 | 1 | 4 | 33 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 86 | 6,000 | 1 | — | 33 | 35 · Fewer | Stable |
All Nissan Kicks model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Nissan Kicks?
Complaints about the 2019 Kicks tend to group around two patterns: the engine cutting out or refusing to accelerate, often with the check engine light and a mass airflow sensor code, and the forward collision warning system triggering falsely or limiting power. The issues reported most often: Engine stalls or won't accelerate (MAF sensor codes); Forward collision warning false alarms and power loss; ABS warning light and actuator replacement.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019 Nissan Kicks have?
NHTSA recorded 134 consumer complaints for the 2019 Nissan Kicks as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2019 Nissan Kicks is reported most often?
Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 43 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system with 39.
Has the 2019 Nissan Kicks been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2019 Nissan Kicks do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2019 Nissan Kicks 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Nissan Kicks get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Nissan Kicks (Kicks, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 33 mpg combined, 31 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2019 Nissan Kicks reported?
Among the 36 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 58,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.