2020 Nissan Kicks
The Verdict
The 2020 Nissan Kicks has 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (24 complaints) and body (23 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 76/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Kicks, consider the 2022 model year which has 75% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2022 has 75% fewer complaints
View the 2022 Nissan Kicks dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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-lock braking and the electronic stability control, a sudden failure compromises vehicle safety, increases stopping distances, and poses an immediate risk to driver, passenger, and public safety. Multiple warning lights have been sporadically coming on, every few months, since November of 2025 when the vehicle was serviced, but would go after the vehicle was turned off. This was dismissed as an electric glitch due to a firmware update after researching online to find this was a common occurrence and would just be fixed the next time the vehicle was serviced. Finally, a few days prior to 05/30/2026, the lights came on and stayed on. The vehicle was checked for a bad battery at a local auto parts store on 05/30/2026 as this was researched to be another common possibility. When this was ruled out, the vehicle was taken to a local dealership and inspected and diagnosed to be the bad ABS actuator.
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 local hospital. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000.
The car acceleration issues, taking a long time to go from 0-50 with the tachometer going up to 5 to do so. My MPG has gone from 33 to 28 mpg. There are times when I press on the gas but my car doesn’t move. It also makes loud “rumbling” or “whining” sounds at times.
The dash board lights up and the check engine light comes. It’s hard to accelerate or reverse and its idles high. I have replaced coils, spark plugs, censors and it’s costs me thousands of dollars and it’s still not fixed.
Vehicle was just purchased from a Nissan Dealership (2020 Kicks) and less than 1,300 miles of driving throwing a code stating there is a problem with CVT transmission. Will not produce enough power when going uphill. RPMs will suddenly not go over 1 when given gas uphill. There was a recall for this problem on other 2020 kicks but ours isn't covered and we just purchased this vehicle and drove it home less than 2 months ago.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that the ABS, Forward Facing Camera, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), Lane Variation, and other safety feature lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ABS and Forward-Facing Camera. The dealer diagnosed that the ADAS needed to be replaced; however, the part was on back order. While awaiting parts for the repair, the battery started to lose power and needed to be jump-started several times. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic control module. The contact was informed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were on back order. In addition, the contact referenced an online site, which referenced the failure with the vehicle, and for parts were not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
The sensor lights constantly come on and then the engine light comes on. When I got the engine light read, it says I need a new mass airflow sensor. I have replaced this sensor 3 times now and the air filter, the same issue is occurring over and over again. Every sensor light comes on and the car starts to decelerate while you are driving making it difficult to press the gas or accelerate to a higher speed.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side seat belt independently unlatched. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 197. The VIN was not available.
When driving my car the crash light comes on in traffic and sometimes when braking. Recently it started to flash the hydroplaning symbol and now the check engine is on. I’ve seen other people online having the same issue with their vehicles as well.
The engine harness and electrical wiring have caused the entire vehicle to lose signal. This issue has cause my.car to stall and not accelerate while driving. Entire lights on dashboard come one and vehicle is unable to accerlerate. Vehicle is currently at the dealer and that is the tecnicians conclusion. No signs before aside from dashboard lights turning on. Vehicle was taken to DMV soon after.
I was driving and needed to come to a stop because there was a four-way stop sign, and the brakes didn’t work. The pedal went all the way to the floor and even though I pumped the brakes, it wouldn’t stop. This is the second incident where this happens. I checked the brake pads and fluid everything is good. No warning lights come on when this happens. So the mechanic says they cannot check and see what’s wrong with it because no lights come on.
Random sensor malfunction errors ABS and Front Collision warning lights Entire body sensor
Abs, ccs cruise control, air pressure monitor, laser/radar, intelligence key, radar stain, center sonar, radar circuit unit,airbag lights Poa90 recall engine control module, transmission, collison lights, pre-existing damages, it has defects it started intermittent stalling at 66,541 miles upon buying it at 59,290 miles. All the dashboard lights on. It's a hazards it's to risky it won't start sometimes it leaves us on the side of the road. Sometimes we have to tow it.4
P0101 code keep coming back after so many repairs plus all lights are on like lane assist front collision prevention rear collision detection and slippery road it will reset after turning off and on
I purchased the used vehicle in March and I have had an intermittent check engine light (p0101 code), my forward collision warning lights and traction control lights come on and my car brakes like I was in an emergency braking situation. Since the second day of owning the car. I've had it in the shop more than 5 times. They have not found the issue. I've been told there is nothing wrong so even with my extended warranty I'm unable to have this issue repaired. All these lights come on together and leave together. This is dangerous because stopping suddenly on the highway could result in me getting killed. I haven't found a tsb or recall but according to multiple nissan forums this is happening to hundreds of 2019 -2021 Kicks owners. This happened again yesterday and scared me. I can't afford another car right now. I just want this one to be repaired properly before it's too late. This morning no lights or check engine light present.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 98,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 108,000.
The car gives me warning signals. All the warnings display on my screen and then the car doesn’t advance. It has happened several times and I’ve been put in danger since I live in San Antonio TX and there’s always traffic. I’ve called the dealer and they just tell that there’s no recalls for that vehicle. A lady that works at the same company I do has had the save issue. I searched online and many others are having the same issue. Also I purchased a code scanner which tells me it’s the mass air flow sensor and I replaced it but the issue persists. I put yesterday’s date’s for the incident but it has also happened to me at least 4 times before Please assist. My email is [XXX] . My name is [XXX] and my vin number is: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My crash sensor started to go off on the freeway 2 years ago about . I took it to the dealership they replaced the sensor then it happened again about a year later . I'm having the same issue again it goes off and there's no cars around me it will go off when i'm parked it wont let me go in reverse. I have to turn my car off and wait about 10-15 min and turn it back on. My other problem is my driver side door wont lock or unlock it the key fob and by the power button on the door. I have to manually lock and unlock the door this has been going on for about 2 months . I havent taken it to the dealer ship yet for the door issue yet.
Collision warning came on auto brakes for a second. Then light stayed on. Took to Dealership and was told Collision camera was out of alignment due to brackets moved or bent.
89 total