2020 Nissan KICKS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
93 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
5,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 93 complaints (31.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 30.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 18.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 12.9% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 8.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 29 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 29; Electrical System: 26; Engine: 20; Power Train: 18; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 12; Service Brakes: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 67 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2020: 8; 2021: 12; 2022: 12; 2023: 9; 2024: 16; 2025: 26; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11318985 · 2020-03-22 (March 22, 2020)
I PURCHASED A 2020 NISSAN KICKS WITH 11 MILES ON 1/1/20. THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND STALLING WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, AND AT LIGHTS ON 1/10/20, WITH 250 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AFTER 3 SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, TAKING PICTURES AND USING THE EVENT RECORDER AS INSTRUCTED, I WAS INFORMED ON 3/5/20, THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FIX FOR THIS KICKS, ENGINEERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY WILL CONTACT ME WHEN AN UPDATE IS AVAILABLE THAT MAY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ,THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT 19 TIMES AS OF 3/9/20, WITH 2039 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE NISSAN …
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11318985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420065 · 2021-06-08 (June 8, 2021)
I was driving on the highway and all of a sudden the automatic brake activated. There were two icons that lit up on the dashboard. One of them was a triangle with an! In the middle and the other one look like a collision. However, there was no one next to me. I did not hit anyone. I called the dealership as I just bought this car last week and they said that this car is usually very sensitive. However, I have been in traffic since purchasing the car and never did this happen. I am very scared that this will happen again. I am very scared that I…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11400258 · 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)
I PURCHASED A 2020 NISSAN KICK IN OCTOBER 2020. ON MARCH 5, 2021, I WAS IN THE HIGHWAY DRIVING WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT LET ME ACCELERATE. MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT AND I NEED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11400258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439211 · 2021-11-03 (November 3, 2021)
*Engine or transmission failure - 27,165 current mileage *safety Risk - During moderate traffic conditions , vehicle was traveling approximtely 45 miles per hour, when it suddenly be gain to slow down. By the vehicle slowing in the manner that it did, could have caused the traffic following the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop resulting in a rear end collision. * The vehicle is currently at the Larry Miller Nissan for inspection and diagnostics * Check engine light illuminated seconds before the vehicle stalled there were no other indicato…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11398972 · 2021-03-03 (March 3, 2021)
VEHICLE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, EVEN ON MAJOR HIGHWAY. VENT CONTROL VALVE WAS STUCK OPEN HAD TO BE REPLACED; CORROSION ON A CONNECTOR TO THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE LEFT DEALERSHIP FOR ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN, IT SHUT DOWN AGAIN AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES FROM BEING SERVICED FOR SAME REASON.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11342309 · 2020-07-30 (July 30, 2020)
THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SHUTTING IT DOWN AND RESTARTING THE CAR A SECOMD TIME, THE CAR STARTED MOVING AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 2 miles reported. Look up ODI 11342309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11669149 · 2025-06-25 (June 25, 2025)
1. MAF Sensor replaced 3 times within a few months of replacing each time. (took it to the Nissan Dealership multiple times and all they do is replace it without further diagnosing as to why) 2. Replaced the Transmission in March 2025 (Nissan wanted to charge me ($8300.00). I took it to Glen Burnie Transmission ($5708.00) 3. Replaced the Alternator on 7 June 2025. 4. Vehicle has been hesitating and stalling while driving. 5. Vehicle doesn't want to start when I push the button and put my foot on the brake pedal. 6. Power Steering issues (th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11669149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11738156 · 2026-05-15 (May 15, 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11738156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420085 · 2021-06-08 (June 8, 2021)
I bought the car on Memorial Day and left the dealership with a full tank. That Friday, June 4, 2021, I drive my car to NYC for a meeting. My gas tank was very low when I arrived and I only had 1 mile until empty. I went to the gas station and the fuel door would not open. There is no manual release for the fuel door. I had no tools in the car and was stuck at the gas station. I waited for Nissan emergency from 10:42 to 3pm. They were able to get it open and I filled the tank and immediately drove back to MD. On 6/6 I brought it back to the dea…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420085 at NHTSA ↗