2020 NISSAN KICKS Engine Problems

17 complaints about Engine

17
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

This Problem Across All Years

All Engine Complaints (17)

Sep 29, 2025

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

Sep 15, 2025

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

Jun 26, 2025

I own a 2020 Nissan Kicks and have experienced recurring and unpredictable electrical and system malfunctions while driving. At times, a "Malfunction, see owner's manual" warning appears on the dashboard, accompanied by multiple warning lights including: Forward collision warning Slippery road / traction control warning. Occasionally, the high beam headlights turn on by themselves, and I have noticed that the malfunction also leads to the engine stalling when I switch to reverse to park my car. These warnings appear randomly, about a few times a month, while driving under normal conditions. The issue usually resolves temporarily after restarting the vehicle, but this raises serious concerns about the reliability of key safety systems such as traction control, collision avoidance, and issues with the engine itself. On several occasions, the check engine light (CEL) accompanied these other warning lights during the "malfunction" and the CEL remained on even after a restart. A diagnostic scan revealed P0101 (Mass Air Flow Sensor Performance issue). However, when I had the vehicle inspected at a Nissan dealership, the technicians stated that the MAF sensor and related systems were operating correctly, and they could not identify a specific mechanical issue. Despite that, the CEL and other malfunctions continue to occur intermittently. They were also not able to recreate the situation I explained with the malfunction since it occurs at random times. This issue has happened multiple times and creates uncertainty about whether the vehicle is safe to operate. I have found numerous reports online from other Nissan Kicks owners experiencing the same combination of issues (P0101, engine stalling, random warning lights, and vehicle malfunctions that reset upon restart). I have attached a repair invoice from the dealership. Just recently on 6/22, this happened again as I was driving at night. When I went to park my car, the engine stalled again. I attached a dashboard photo.

Jun 9, 2025

I own a 2020 Nissan Kicks and have experienced recurring and unpredictable electrical and system malfunctions while driving. At random times, a "malfunction" warning appears on the dashboard, accompanied by multiple warning lights including: Forward collision warning Slippery road / traction control warning Occasionally, the high beam headlights turn on by themselves These warnings appear randomly, about a few times a month, while driving under normal conditions. The issue usually resolves temporarily after restarting the vehicle, but this raises serious concerns about the reliability of key safety systems such as traction control and collision avoidance. On several occasions, the check engine light (CEL) accompanied these other warning lights during the "malfunction" and the CEL remained on even after a restart. A diagnostic scan revealed P0101 (Mass Air Flow Sensor Performance issue). However, when I had the vehicle inspected at a Nissan dealership, the technicians stated that the MAF sensor and related systems were operating correctly, and they could not identify a specific mechanical issue. Despite that, the CEL and other malfunctions continue to occur intermittently. They were also not able to recreate the situation I explained with the malfunction since it occurs at random times. This issue has happened multiple times and creates uncertainty about whether the vehicle is safe to operate. I have found numerous reports online from other Nissan Kicks owners experiencing the same combination of issues (P0101, random warning lights, and vehicle malfunctions that reset upon restart). This suggests it may be a systemic electrical or ECU problem, not isolated to my car. I urge the NHTSA to investigate whether this issue warrants a recall, software update, or mandatory fix. It undermines the safe and reliable operation of the vehicle.

May 6, 2025

For months the front/rear collision sensors warning lights are on. The ABS and traction control warning lights are also on. The check engine light will come on for weeks at a time then go away.

Dec 11, 2024

Car acceleration delayed. Batteries dying and needing replaced regularly. Needs constant jump starts. Will not accelerate or move in the snow. Does not stop in emergencies. The vehicle was bought brand new and I have had bad luck with the Nissan kicks 2020 since purchasing it.

Aug 12, 2024

LIMP MODE defect occured WHILE ON HIGHWAY in the middle of the country of USA.

Jun 26, 2023

I purchased a Nissan Kicks 2020 7 weeks ago. Yesterday while at a stop light, the engine shut off and then the battery and oil light popped on. This was extremely dangerous as I was on a busy highway and had to panic on what to do. I ended up having to put it in park and cut it back on. After researching this online, I have found other people are having the exact same issue. I checked for a recall and see NONE! How has there not been a recall? I had my three children in the car with me (one being a newborn) and was scared to death!

Mar 17, 2023

Motor issues constant ticking noise the motor is making looks like Nissan is not wanting to cover powertrain warranty looks like upper part of motor has issues and could stop working at anytime especially on a busy highway.

Dec 22, 2022

Since I got the kicks in May of this year 2022 I have had multiple incidents where the lights for the sensors come on out of nowhere and it shows 3 messages for .sensor malfunction. They popped on again a few days ago and now the check engine light is on and the code it's showing is main air flow sensor failure. That sensor from what I have been told should last a long time. I have had it 7 months and it's only 2 years old. I change the air filter every oil change and with the sensor failed it won't drive proper causing a safety hazard for me and my children.

Nov 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 indicators of distress such as burning smells or leaking fluids prior to the incident.

Sep 27, 2021

Car will shut off on its own when sitting at a red light will get a message showing the word MALFUNCTION, will restart after several attempts of pressing the start button. Has been taken to the dealer and reported and documented on my service receipt but they could not duplicate the problem and stated car was at specs. This has now happened 4 times in the last 2 weeks.

Mar 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.

Mileage: 6,000

Dec 7, 2020

ENTERING HIGHWAY OR TRAFFIC CAR HESITATES NO POWER . SEEMS LIKE THE ENGINE ISNT PROVIDING ENOUGH GAS FOR TAKE OFF, THIS IS WITH THE PEDAL ACCELERATOR COMPLETELY PRESSED DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. SCARY WHEN YOUR ENTEREING TRAFFIC. HAD BACK TO DEALER ONCE AND SAID ALL WAS FINE. IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT BUT NOT ALL THE TIME MAINLY WHEN YOU COME TO AN ALMOST STOP AND TRY TO GO. I LOOKED ON LINE FOR BULLITINS AND CAME ACROSS CLASSIFICATION AT19-002D REFERENCE NTB19-040D.

Mileage: 975

Oct 30, 2020

THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 5700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN JUNE OF 2020, INTERMITTENTLY THE CAR WILL IDLE ROUGH AT STOP LIGHTS. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT IS USUALLY AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 20 OR 30 MINUTES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2020 AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR IDLED ROUGH AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT I ENCOUNTERED THEN DIED. I RESTARTED IT THEN IT PROMPTLY DIED AGAIN. AFTER THE SECOND RESTART THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER ON MONDAY 10/19/20. THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS AND NEVER COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY DID REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS UNDER RECALL. HOPING MAYBE THIS RESOLVES THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 5,700

Oct 18, 2020

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD, AND MY CAR WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR JUST STOPS AND WILL NOT MOVE. I ALMOST CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT AS THERE WAS CARS BEHIND ME. I TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THEN IT ALL OF SUDDEN WORKED AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA BE IN A ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 1,779

Jul 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.

Mileage: 2