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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Nissan Kicks brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Nissan Kicks have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kicks (this page) | 11 |
| 2019 Kicks | 12 |
| 2020 Kicks | 7 |
| 2021 Kicks | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2018 Nissan Kicks, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Nissan Kicks in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ABS/VDC CAN DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe three distinct brake-system failures on the 2018 Kicks. First, the ABS system fails—the warning light flickers on and off, then ABS stops working entirely, typically around 50,000 miles but as early as 18,000 miles. Nissan dealers initially miss the problem or blame a loose battery terminal. When finally diagnosed, repair runs $2,400-plus for an actuator replacement, and owners say the new part is unreliable.
Second, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) fires without any obstacle in sight. Owners report it triggering hundreds of times on highways, slamming the car to a near-halt when the road ahead is clear. The system also throws false "front radar obstructed" warnings when visibility is perfect.
Third, three warning lights—AEB, Slip indicator, and Master warning—illuminate together and stay on until you kill the engine and restart. This often pairs with sluggish acceleration, making freeway entry hazardous. The pattern can start as light hesitation years into ownership, then escalate to multiple incidents per week. Nissan has not issued a recall and refuses to address these as design flaws.
Same Nissan Kicks brakes reports on nearby years: 2019
Failure modes owners describe
ABS System Failure
ABS warning light activates and ABS system becomes non-functional, typically after 50,000 miles. Owners report the warning light turning on and off intermittently. Nissan dealerships initially dismiss the issue or attribute it to loose battery terminals.
When: 50,000 miles or earlier in some cases; one complaint at 18,689 miles; another at 19,000 miles with 4 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminates on and off intermittently; ABS system fails to function during hard braking; Poor stopping ability in wet weather; Multiple warning lights on simultaneously (ABS, Slip indicator, Master warning)
Codes mentioned: ABS control malfunction (Actuator & ECU Assy antiskid)
Repairs/costs cited: ABS actuator replacement required; one owner reported $2,448 repair cost at Universal Nissan (Orlando, FL). Replacement parts reported as unreliable by some owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused to acknowledge the issue or offer assistance. Case #5576215 filed with Nissan Consumer Affairs with no resolution. No recall issued despite owner allegations of defect across 2018–current Kicks and Leaf models.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) False Activation
AEB system engages unexpectedly and brings the vehicle to a near-complete stop when there is no obstacle, vehicle, or hazard present. Occurs frequently on highways and expressways.
When: Ongoing; complaint #4 reports hundreds of false activations; complaint #9 mentions 'Front Radar Unavailable' warnings
Symptoms owners cite: AEB engages with no vehicles or obstacles ahead; Unintended hard braking while traveling at highway speeds; False warnings about front radar obstruction with clear road ahead; Multiple unplanned stopping events on expressways
Codes mentioned: Front radar obstruction warning (false positive)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented by owners; system reportedly malfunction without clear resolution path.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refuses to acknowledge AEB malfunction as a widespread problem.
Combined Dash Light Activation with Acceleration Issues
Three dashboard warning lights (AEB, Slip indicator, Master warning) illuminate simultaneously and persist until the engine is shut off. Occurs intermittently over periods of months to years. Accompanied by slow or sluggish acceleration. Check engine light occasionally appears with code P1010 or no code.
When: Starts after 1–2 years of ownership; escalates to several times per week over time; one complaint at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Three dash lights on simultaneously: AEB, Slip indicator, Master warning; Slow acceleration when lights are active; Intermittent acceleration hesitation; Check engine light with P1010 code or no code; Symptoms triggered or worsened by rapid acceleration
Codes mentioned: P1010
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced MAF sensor with third-party part (increased frequency of failure), then cleaned original sensor with MAF sensor cleaner. Temporary improvement for one month before recurrence. Dealer unable to reproduce issue without check engine code present.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer has not reproduced the error in shop conditions.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The Nissan emergency braking system is giving out false warnings. The system on my car has given me hundreds of false readings and warnings while in motion, mostly on highways and expressways. Nissan refuses to say they have a problem with this. I fear that the system will malfunction and stop me for no reason on the expressway.
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Nissan Kicks?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Nissan Kicks?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 8,975 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Nissan/Kicks.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.