2018 NISSAN KICKS Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 NISSAN KICKS has 15 complaints and 1 recall filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to loss of power, engine codes especially P0101, and erratic steering. Problems with safety systems such as ABS and forward collision have also been reported, along with concerns about suspension and transmission performance.
Common Issues
- Loss of power. Vehicles report sudden reduction in acceleration or power loss, sometimes accompanied by warnings or system malfunction messages.
- Mass air flow sensor error. The P0101 code appears repeatedly causing stalls and engine shutdowns despite sensor replacements or repairs.
- Steering problems. Steering behavior described as erratic or pulling strongly to one side with difficulties in control at corrections.
- ABS and collision system failure. Malfunctions in the ABS control and forward collision system cause inadequate braking response, increasing crash risk, especially in wet conditions.
- Check engine light illumination. Multiple reports note the check engine light activates with P0101 or other codes during power loss or other faults.
- CVT transmission faults. Slipping and jerking during operation reported, sometimes accompanied by fault codes; repair costs noted as high.
- Suspension failure. Struts reported to fail early requiring replacement under 30,000 miles.
- Early rusting. Undercarriage rust observed in some vehicles with relatively low mileage.
- Battery replacement ineffective. Battery replacement attempts did not resolve intermittent power loss or system malfunction issues.
- Dealer and manufacturer response. Complaints about delayed diagnosis, costly repairs, and lack of resolution from dealers and Nissan Consumer Affairs.
There is one recall related to the backup camera system. It affects multiple Nissan and Infiniti models including the 2018 Nissan Kicks. The recall addresses software settings that can disable the rear view image, reducing rear visibility.
Recalls
- Backup camera system. NHTSA recall 19V654000 affects approximately 1,228,830 vehicles including the 2018 Nissan Kicks. The rear view image can be disabled by adjusting display settings with the system retaining this state upon shifting into reverse. This noncompliance with FMVSS 111 increases crash risk. Nissan provides a free software update to correct the issue without a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory.
Owners facing repeated power loss issues, recurring safety system malfunctions, or unresolved recall repairs may want to review their rights under state lemon laws. Legal consultation can clarify protections available for persistent defects affecting vehicle safety or reliability.
2018 NISSAN KICKS Summary
2018
Model Year
15
Total Complaints
1
Total Recalls
1228830
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 NISSAN KICKS
1228830 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2128771FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The ABS and forward collision system failed. This caused the car not to respond during a hard brake when it was raining. I almost had an accident. The car was inspected on September 4, 2025, by Universal Nissan (12785 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida). Universal Nissan found a malfunction in the ABS control (Actuator & ECU Assy antiskid) with a repair cost of $2,448. The car has 18,689 miles. The warning lamps appear as soon as the malfunction starts. The Nissan Kicks owner forum reports this ABS problem as recurrent. There are multiple reports on the website. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs (Case #5576215). They did not take responsibility for the ABS problem.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2128770SERVICE BRAKES
The ABS and forward collision system failed. This caused the car not to respond during a hard brake when it was raining. I almost had an accident. The car was inspected on September 4, 2025, by Universal Nissan (12785 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida). Universal Nissan found a malfunction in the ABS control (Actuator & ECU Assy antiskid) with a repair cost of $2,448. The car has 18,689 miles. The warning lamps appear as soon as the malfunction starts. The Nissan Kicks owner forum reports this ABS problem as recurrent. There are multiple reports on the website. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs (Case #5576215). They did not take responsibility for the ABS problem.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2126250SUSPENSION
I purchased a 2018 Nissan Kicks with under 6k miles from Atlanta Luxury Motors (ALM Marietta) on April 29, 2022. The dealer failed to disclose the car was a Canadian import, which voided the manufacturer’s warranty and left me responsible for unsafe defects. At under 30,000 miles, the suspension (struts) failed and had to be replaced, and by 60,000 miles the CVT transmission began showing fault codes, slipping, and jerking, creating serious safety risks while driving. The undercarriage also showed early rust. These problems were confirmed by independent mechanics and service centers, and I have paid over $3,000 in repairs and will inquire more if transmission has to be replaced costing between 6-8k. The vehicle’s defects put me and others at risk of loss of control, and I request NHTSA investigation to determine if this model or imported versions are unsafe for U.S. consumers.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2126249ENGINE
I purchased a 2018 Nissan Kicks with under 6k miles from Atlanta Luxury Motors (ALM Marietta) on April 29, 2022. The dealer failed to disclose the car was a Canadian import, which voided the manufacturer’s warranty and left me responsible for unsafe defects. At under 30,000 miles, the suspension (struts) failed and had to be replaced, and by 60,000 miles the CVT transmission began showing fault codes, slipping, and jerking, creating serious safety risks while driving. The undercarriage also showed early rust. These problems were confirmed by independent mechanics and service centers, and I have paid over $3,000 in repairs and will inquire more if transmission has to be replaced costing between 6-8k. The vehicle’s defects put me and others at risk of loss of control, and I request NHTSA investigation to determine if this model or imported versions are unsafe for U.S. consumers.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2122001FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Code P0101 comes up which indicates an issue with the car’s MAF system triggering a check engine light. This is widely known to be a software issue and is chronic in many Nissan Kick’s manufactured around 2018-2020. This is a faulty error code and ends up visiting consumers hundreds of dollars to repair and almost always returns despite actions being taken to repair the issue.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2122000ENGINE
Code P0101 comes up which indicates an issue with the car’s MAF system triggering a check engine light. This is widely known to be a software issue and is chronic in many Nissan Kick’s manufactured around 2018-2020. This is a faulty error code and ends up visiting consumers hundreds of dollars to repair and almost always returns despite actions being taken to repair the issue.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2112998ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Frequently we get error P0101 and the car loses power. It says "Mass or Volume Air Flow, A Circuit Range/Poerformance error. For us that means the car loses power, limps along or jerks suddenly and the lights flash, this can happen at any time. Happens about one or twice a month at very random times, not dependant on the weather. We have changed the MAF sensor as instructed but this still happens and it quite dangerous when driving or pulling away from a stop.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2112997ENGINE
Frequently we get error P0101 and the car loses power. It says "Mass or Volume Air Flow, A Circuit Range/Poerformance error. For us that means the car loses power, limps along or jerks suddenly and the lights flash, this can happen at any time. Happens about one or twice a month at very random times, not dependant on the weather. We have changed the MAF sensor as instructed but this still happens and it quite dangerous when driving or pulling away from a stop.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2107929POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally experienced reduction in automotive power with the "System Malfunction" message displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2107928ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally experienced reduction in automotive power with the "System Malfunction" message displayed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced twice however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2104623ENGINE
I was driving on the road like normal and suddenly I got a front collision warning on the dash, the car wouldn’t accelerate and lost all power. Check engine light also came on with code reading P0101. I’ve had this issue before and the dealer doesn’t know what to do or they want to charge me a lot of money to fix it. I’ve read online many many people having the same issue. Luckily this hasn’t happened on the highway but if it does happen it could be catastrophic
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2104622POWER TRAIN
I was driving on the road like normal and suddenly I got a front collision warning on the dash, the car wouldn’t accelerate and lost all power. Check engine light also came on with code reading P0101. I’ve had this issue before and the dealer doesn’t know what to do or they want to charge me a lot of money to fix it. I’ve read online many many people having the same issue. Luckily this hasn’t happened on the highway but if it does happen it could be catastrophic
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2104621FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was driving on the road like normal and suddenly I got a front collision warning on the dash, the car wouldn’t accelerate and lost all power. Check engine light also came on with code reading P0101. I’ve had this issue before and the dealer doesn’t know what to do or they want to charge me a lot of money to fix it. I’ve read online many many people having the same issue. Luckily this hasn’t happened on the highway but if it does happen it could be catastrophic
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2084322UNKNOWN OR OTHER
P0101 Mass air flow sensor code keeping appearing after repairing it. It causes the car to stall and shut off frequently on its own.
2018 NISSAN KICKS
ID: 2077692STEERING
My steering is erratic and sometimes it feels like it’s pulling hard to one side or the other and when I try to correct it actually over corrects. I’ve read about the eps problems when looking into options for repair/replace. I feel it too dangerous for driving anywhere. It is a 2018 Nissan Kicks. Thank you.