DTC P17F4 STORED IN THE TCM IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports transmission vibration when accelerating, HINT: Vibration occurs during quick reacceleration after braking, during a 2-1 downshift of the auxiliary gearbox. AND DTC P17F4 for “AUXILIARY GEARBOX (CL JUDDER)” is stored in the TCM. · If DTCs other than P17F4 are stored, this bulletin does not apply. Refer to the ESM for further diagnostic information. ACTION Refer to the Repair Overview on page 2 to determine if this bulletin applies. IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it contains information that is essenti
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Nissan Kicks electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Nissan Kicks have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kicks | 18 |
| 2019 Kicks | 38 |
| 2020 Kicks (this page) | 23 |
| 2021 Kicks | 10 |
| 2023 Kicks | 6 |
| 2024 Kicks | 3 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 23 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Nissan Kicks, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 6 model years of Nissan Kicks in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED WITH DTC C1A16 OR C2582 IF YOU CONFIRM IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (on the next page) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair. Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with a lane camera (see Figure 1) SERVICE INFORMATION If the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning light or is blinking (but not illuminated steadily) or the customer states it is blinking, and there are no related DTCs, inspect the windshield. A blinking AEB warning light may occur under the following conditions: When contamination or foreign material adhere to the lane camera viewing window on the windshield. When driving while it is snowing or when frost forms on the lane camera viewing window on the windshield. When the lane camera viewing window on the windshield is temporarily fogged up. Fig
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LANE CAMERA AIMING VEHICLE REFERENCE VALUES NOT IN ESM SERVICE INFORMATION If the lane camera requires aiming, the values in Table A on page 4 must be used. For all other models/model years, consult the Electronic Service Manual (ESM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES 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 of 2020 Nissan Kicks report widespread electrical malfunctions, the most common being false activation of forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems. These occur without any obstruction present and have caused sudden highway stops from 40–70 mph, creating dangerous situations. One service advisor noted over 12,000 Red Kicks affected, with the issue under engineering review but without an available fix as of February 2022. Forum activity suggests the problem spans 2019–2021 model years with hundreds reporting identical failures.
A second pattern involves the check engine light paired with warning lights for forward collision and traction control that appear and disappear together. One owner replaced the mass airflow sensor (P0101 code) without resolving the issue despite five-plus shop visits. Owners report thousands in repairs—replacing coils, spark plugs, sensors, throttle bodies, MAF sensors, and sonar units—with failures persisting.
Additional electrical failures include complete dashboard light activation, intermittent engine stalling with inability to accelerate, door lock malfunctions, and electronic control module failures with unavailable replacement parts. One owner paid $6,000 for ABS and lane assist repair only to experience identical failures one month later, then faced a $2,100 repair for throttle body, MAF, and sonar control unit. Dealers frequently cannot identify causes or provide fixes despite multiple visits.
Same Nissan Kicks electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Forward Collision Warning and AEB system false activation
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (AEB), and sonar alerts activate without any object present. Owners report the vehicle chimes, alerts, and brakes suddenly during normal driving and even while parked.
When: 2020 model year owners report ongoing from purchase through multiple years; one dealer noted over 12k Red Nissan Kicks affected
Symptoms owners cite: false forward collision warnings; AEB engages without obstruction; sonar chimes repeatedly when backing with nothing behind vehicle; sudden emergency braking on highway at 40-70 mph; rear collision warning also engages randomly
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports sonar system replaced by dealer; issue recurred. Multiple owners report multiple dealer visits with no resolution. One dealer quoted $6,000 for lane assist and ABS repair but failure returned in one month.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan service advisor stated issue is under engineering review with no fix available yet as of Feb 2022; quoted 12k+ affected Red Kicks. Multiple owners report Nissan forums show hundreds of 2019-2021 Kicks owners affected. No recalls issued per owner reports.
Check engine light with mass airflow sensor code (P0101)
Intermittent check engine light displaying P0101 code. Owner replaced mass airflow sensor but code and symptoms persisted. All warning lights (forward collision, traction control) come on together with check engine light.
When: Intermittent; used vehicle owner reported starting second day of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: intermittent check engine light; forward collision warning lights; traction control lights; sudden emergency braking; all warning lights appear and disappear together
Codes mentioned: P0101
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced mass airflow sensor without resolving issue. Vehicle serviced more than 5 times; shops could not find cause. Extended warranty denied coverage citing no issue found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall identified by owner. Owner states hundreds of 2019-2021 Kicks owners report same issue on forums; dealer states no fix available.
Electronic control module (ECM) failure with warning lights
Multiple unknown warning lights illuminate during driving. Dealer diagnosed failed electronic control module requiring replacement. Vehicle cannot be repaired due to parts on back order.
When: At approximately 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: multiple unknown warning lights illuminated while driving; 'See Owner's Manual' message displayed
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic control module replacement needed but parts on back order; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance. Owner referenced online site noting same failure across vehicles with parts unavailability.
Intermittent stalling and loss of acceleration
Engine stalls during driving or fails to accelerate after coming to a complete stop. Occurs intermittently and sometimes leaves owner stranded. Often accompanied by dashboard warning lights.
When: Starting at various mileages; one owner reports stalling at 66,541 miles after purchasing at 59,290 miles
Symptoms owners cite: stalling while driving; failure to accelerate; unable to go in reverse; vehicle will not start sometimes; needs 10-15 minute cool-down before responding; dashboard lights illuminate
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports technician concluded engine harness and electrical wiring caused total signal loss and stalling. Multiple owners report thousands spent on repairs (replaced coils, spark plugs, sensors, throttle body, MAF, sonar control unit); issues persist.
Electrical system complete dropout with sensor loss
Entire electrical system loses signal mid-drive. Front and rear collision sensors drop offline simultaneously with traction control and transmission control. Vehicle cannot accelerate forward or reverse during failure.
Symptoms owners cite: complete loss of electrical signal mid-drive; front collision sensor offline; rear collision sensor offline; traction control disengages; transmission unable to accelerate or reverse; all dashboard lights on
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports current diagnosis: engine harness and electrical wiring causing signal loss; vehicle at dealer.
Accelerator pedal non-response and door lock failure
Vehicle fails to accelerate when pedal is depressed, occurring intermittently after vehicle comes to a complete stop. Independently, door locks including rear hatch unlock on their own.
When: Began after unknown software update
Symptoms owners cite: accelerator pedal depressed but vehicle does not accelerate; intermittent non-response; door locks and rear hatch unlock independently
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance.
Door lock malfunction (driver side)
Driver side door will not lock or unlock via key fob or power button on door. Requires manual locking and unlocking.
When: Ongoing for approximately 2 months at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: driver side door will not lock electronically; driver side door will not unlock electronically; must manually lock and unlock door
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has not yet taken vehicle to dealership for this issue.
Crash sensor false activation
Crash sensor activates repeatedly without impact. Triggers AEB engagement, prevents reverse operation, and requires restart cycle to clear.
When: First occurrence 2 years prior to complaint; recurred after sensor replacement; ongoing at complaint time
Symptoms owners cite: crash sensor activation on freeway with no impact; sensor activates while parked; prevents reverse operation; requires 10-15 minute shutdown to reset
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced once by dealership; same failure recurred approximately one year later; happening again at complaint time.
Engine stall with battery and oil warning lights
Engine shuts off while driving, accompanied by battery and oil warning light illumination. Vehicle must be restarted manually.
When: 7 weeks after purchase of 2020 model
Symptoms owners cite: engine shut off at stop light on busy highway; battery light illuminated; oil light illuminated; vehicle unresponsive until manual restart
Codes mentioned:
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states no recall found despite reporting identical issue across multiple 2020 Kicks owners.
ABS module failure with full dashboard light panel
All dash lights illuminate red (ABS, front collision, backup, skid, lane assist). Nissan dealership quoted ABS module and lane assist repair at $6,000; vehicle worked one month then failed again requiring additional $2,100 repair (throttle body, MAF, sonar control unit).
When: At unspecified mileage; second failure within one month of $6,000 repair
Symptoms owners cite: all dash lights on (ABS, front collision, backup, skid, lane assist); vehicle unable to back up; vehicle unable to accelerate; all lights return after one month of repair
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: $6,000 repair (lane assist and ABS); $2,100 follow-up repair (throttle body, MAF, sonar control unit). Issues persist with vehicle unstable and undrivable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan quoted repair costs referencing ABS Module as root cause; quoted same repair ($2,997.43 labor and parts) for other recalled Nissans per one complaint.
Heater, radio, and remote start intermittent failure
Heater, radio, and remote start functions fail intermittently. Radio stops functioning when accelerator pedal is depressed. Heater operates at full heat regardless of control setting. Remote start inoperable.
When: At approximately 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: heater fails to respond to controls; heater operates at full heat continuously; radio stops functioning during acceleration; remote start inoperable
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer; dealer could not verify cause. Vehicle not repaired.
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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…
When driving 50mph - 70 mph the Forward Collision Warning will engage and the emergency brakes will engage. The car will come to a stop. This has happened while on the highway and crashes were barely avoided. It has injured my back with the sudden stop. Today 12/8 it happened again and both the Forward Collision Warning and Rear Collision Warning engaged, the car stopped from going 68 mph on the…
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Forward Collision - Warning lights How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Vehicle slowed to a stop and would not move forward. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the…
The vehicles electrical system will go out mid drive. Front collision and rear collision sensor will turn off. Also the traction control will turn off with the other sensors going out. Plus the transmission while it’s sensors are going out will make it unable to pull out either forward or reverse.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 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 electrical problem on the 2020 Nissan Kicks?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 23 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 66,000 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2020/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.