Carlexica

2019 Nissan Kicks: problems, recalls and reliability

1 recall and 134 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (19% of complaints); the 2018 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2019

1
recalls
134
owner complaints
0
fire reports
21,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reportsOne of the most complained-about Kicks years (#1 of 8, age-adjusted)Problems reported early (median 21,000 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)19% · 21 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance (automatic emergency braking, sensors)19% · 21 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)15% · 16 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)10% · 11 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)8% · 9 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)5% · 6 complaints
The front driver's side coil spring broke. The front passenger side was showing signs of premature wear. Nissan does not just sell the coil spring, so a strut assembly had to be purchased for both sides. This was a very expensive repair.Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2026
CEL on, code PO101 indicates MAF sensor is faulty with related ABS, FCW, and slippery road lights illuminating when braking on a curve or at a stop sign. Car often loses power and need to be turned off to reset and become driveable again. Cleaning and replacing the MAF sensor and air filter does not fix the problem. This is a known issue for 2019 Kicks that Nissan is failing to address. This issue renders the car unreliable and unsafe to drive.Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · May 2026
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. Both of these issues have a severe impact on passenger safety.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
When I was pulling out of my driveway, my car wouldn't accelerate and started making a terrible noise. I lost all power and couldn't get it to move leaving me stuck in the middle of the road. It wouldn't even let me coast off to the side of the road. I have had this same problem before with this transmission and had it replaced with a new manufactured for my car by Nissan transmission.Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2026
While I was driving, I pressed the brake pedal. As soon as I applied the brakes, the vehicle abruptly screeched to a halt in a manner that felt abnormal and uncontrollable. Immediately after this sudden stop, the vehicle lost stability. It slid sideways, causing it to rotate and end up facing in a different direction than the one I had been traveling.Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2025
I was trapped inside my car because the driver side door lock actuator was broken. I had the door lock actuator replaced at a Nissan dealership who verified the problem. There was an issue where the driver side door would not lock properly with the key fob. When I tried to unlock the door with the fob, the car horn would go off until I pressed the fob again.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2025
Check engine light came on, displaying code P0101, front collision malfunction came on. Replaced MAF sensor for code P0101. The car then displayed the same lights, check engine light and AEB light and slip indicator light. My car then stalled while at a red light.Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2025
The contact owns a2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the engine had stall while the RPMs had dropped below 2000. Also, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who informed of a service code related to the Mass Air Flow was identified and the air filter and battery was replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2025
My Car ocassionally comes with Code P0101 and P0102 when the check Engine light comes on. And when it does come on, The Traction Light and Head Collision warning lights show as well. These affect how the car drives and I have to stop and shut of the engine for a couple of minutes and then restart the engine. Changing the Mass Air flor sensor does not seem to have helped anything and it seems based on internet searches that several people who own similar cars are having the same issueOwner report · Engine · Sep 2025
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle immediately hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Mass Air Flow Sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to the local Nissan dealer but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,736.Owner report · Engine · Sep 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 1 campaign

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA19V654000 · Sep 2019

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 and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: 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.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2019 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Engines1.6L
FuelGasoline
Body stylesHatchback/Liftback/Notchback

How other years compare

Check your exact Kicks by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

Open VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Kicks reliable?

NHTSA has 134 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2019 Nissan Kicks. The most complained-about area is electrical system (19% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2019 Nissan Kicks problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 21,000 miles or less.

Does the 2019 Nissan Kicks have open recalls?

1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.