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ProblemsByVin Index / 2021-NISSAN-KICKS / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2021 Nissan Kicks owner complaints

69 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

electrical 6 complaints shown

10 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/23/2021 ODI #11444865.0

Blend doors on the heater do not work. If the temperature is set to 62 degrees, cold air as expected comes out of vents. If set to 63 degrees, maximum hot air comes out of vents, even after the cabin is warmed up. This is distracting to keep fumbling with the temperature control, toggling between 62 and 63 while driving. Keeping the air controller at 63 is also a distraction since the cabin is uncomfortably hot.

11/30/2022 ODI #11495516.0

Was driving on the interstate when all of the sudden any time I would hit the accelerator it would start to brake. I went from going 60 to 45 and realized I had to pull over and was able luckily to get to a median to call AAA. Once i got to the median my battery and oil change light appeared and AC stopped working. I attempted to turn my car off and it would just automatically restart. I did that three times and on the third time the lights turned off and ac was back blowing cold but still couldn’t move my vehicle. AAA then towed it to their facility and said it was transmission issues and he had never seen something like it before since no sensors were notified to the issue. It’s now being towed from the AAA center and is being taken to the dealership closest for repairs. I’m still waitin

11/14/2025 ODI #11699469.0

My vehicle has a serious safety defect involving the braking system and related electronic controls. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. The main failure is sudden, unintended braking without me pressing the pedal. On November 5, 2025, around 6:20 p.m., the vehicle brake-checked in traffic and almost caused a rear-end collision. This continues to put my safety and the safety of others at risk every time I drive, but I have no other transportation for work. Along with the sudden braking, the car has loud crunching and dragging noises when braking or beginning to move, difficulty shifting between Drive, Reverse, and Park, and intermittent warning lights. Warning lights have appeared several times, and on one occasion stayed on long enough for me to bring the vehicle in. The

08/08/2025 ODI #11679233.0

While driving the car seems to be stalling, slowing down while I’m driving. The car feels like it doesn’t want to go up to a fast speed on the highway. I feel uncomfortable and unsafe that the car will stop instantly on the highway and cause me to crash. So that is why I’m reporting this because it’s unsafe. Secondly the left driver side window goes up in down while I’m driving. This also makes me feel uncomfortable while driving.

07/27/2023 ODI #11534717.0

When I start my car it says collusion warning and skid sliding warning. It don't happen every time but it does happen randomly and beeps while I'm driving the entire time. Happens daily when it's cold like winter, but not as much thru warm weather like spring summer. I've never had a collusion in the 1 1/2 I've had my car while being the only owner!

06/11/2025 ODI #11666215.0

I’ve been going in the dealership a lot regarding this car since I’ve purchase the car On 10/09 I was charged 165.00 to get diagnosed test done on car After diagnosed Service informed me to get electrical intake valve and EMC Unit, EMC Bracket and Audio unit replaced from Nissan Service In Grand Blanc Michigan, Dealership quoted me close to $5,561 to all this electrical work fixed, General Manager King in grand blanc Michigan , called the police on me at his dealership yesterday ,after I tried to explain this to him. He only offered me to call customer service and $500 off I am Army Veteran who pays her car payment on time every month which is a $534.00 a month these people are very , unprofessional, inconsiderate and rude , my radio has not work since 08/2023, due to electrical and

other 6 complaints shown

12/08/2025 ODI #11703815.0

Aloha, TSB NTB22-028 and NTB23‑018, March 2023 clearly a defect pattern in the infotainment system. Audio distorts and navigation screens freezes which could result in an accident. I contacted Nissan consumer affairs case # XXX. It was escalated to an area manager who recommended I reach out to NHTSA. Nissan is only willing to cover 50% of the cost to replace the infotainment system. Hopefully by sending this complaint form it will help having the whole cost covered. Mahalo, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

10/24/2022 ODI #11490553.0

Sometimes, the blind spot warning doesn't work. I need to re-start the car to make it works. After I filling gas, the car can't move for 7 seconds even though the car is accelerated and the clock that measures the rotation go up to 4 - 4.5 and when it starts moving, this clock comes to 2. Also after a stop, the car doesn't move , doesn't accelerate, it has to wait for 7 seconds and starts moving slow for more few seconds. this problem was shown more than 10 times. One time, I accelerated a lot, and the car started jumping like a "crazy horse" . The battery was dead twice. it was recharged and works fine.

10/06/2021 ODI #11435658.0

I have experienced my forward collision warning light coming on when driving toward the sun in the mornings on my way to work. When I go into a shade it turns off but immediately pops back on and slows my car down when I return into the sunlight. It has not done this since I bought in July 2021 until last week.

10/02/2023 ODI #11547877.0

While driving straight and I have a green light if the traffic in the left turn lane stops for on coming traffic to clear my vehicle brakes as if the car in the other lane is in front of me not to the side of me. I am afraid I will get rear ended one of these times from my vehicle slamming on the brakes when there is no reason to do so. This has been happening since I bought the vehicle, since my previous vehicle didn't have these new features being 20 years old I didn't know what to think at first. But it has been a year now and it's not me, there is something wrong that could end up being deadly. I have only noticed it happening when the vehicle in the left turn lane stops and I am in the next lane going straight. I have an appointment at the dealership next week but the service advis

07/13/2024 ODI #11601753.0

Hello, this has happened multiple times within a year & a half of having the vehicle (bought in Jan 2023) where the Front Collision Warning will randomly go off during anytime of the day, even at night. I have also had all the side collision warnings just stay yellow in the screen while driving. Just recently when I was driving in the mountains of GA, I had everything go off & the "Forward Driving Aids Temporarily Disabled."

06/02/2026 108,000 mi ODI #11741518.0

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood unexpectedly flew open, hit and cracked the windshield. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road and pushed down the hood. The driver continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the hood latch was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was waiting to hear back the auto warranty company. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to an autobody repair shop for assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 108,000.

powertrain 3 complaints shown

5 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
11/07/2025 Crash ODI #11698119.0

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a loud boom coming from the engine compartment with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the traffic light turned red, and the contact stopped the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to move when the light turned green. The contact stated that the driver behind started honking the horn however, the contact was unable to drive off and waved the other driver to go around. The contact stated that when the vehicle finally responded, the vehicle reversed instead and crashed into another vehicle. The Police was called, and a Police report was filed. The contact sustained a left side muscle strain from the neck down to the hip. The contact received medical attention at

10/17/2023 54,000 mi ODI #11550380.0

The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed in heavy traffic, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After coming to a complete stop and shifting into park, the contact became aware that the transmission had seized, and the gear selector was unable to shift back into drive. Upon having the vehicle towed, the tow company was only able to shift the gear selector into reverse. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the rental company's service center for repair; as a result, the diagnosis of the failure was unknown to the contact. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.

07/26/2024 ODI #11604841.0

At 54,000 miles on my car my car was shaking and not wanting to go past 20miles an hour. My check engine light came on. Safety was at risk, there was no warning that my car was having trouble. It was driving fine one minute and ttem all of a sudden check engine light came on. Feel that the cvt engines in Nissan are not safe

airbags 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/02/2021 Crash ODI #11442404.0

While traveling on a hwy with my 2021 Nissan Kicks, me and my wife were sandwiched. A black SUV suddenly stopped in front of us causing us to rear end them going approximately 50-60 mph then we were rear ended. No air bag deployed and the passenger seat appears to have come off of its tracks. Nissan has been notified of this and should conduct an investigation. Not sure if the automatic emergency braking failed or if the car just did not have time to react.

steering 1 complaint shown

11/21/2025 ODI #11700910.0

The likely failed component is the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL). Associated systems include the steering column, BCM, and EPS motor. Yes, the vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request (Owner: [XXX] , [XXX] ). The safety of the owner and other drivers was put at risk by the sudden, unpredictable loss of steering control (locking mid-turn). This makes it impossible to safely navigate curves or avoid hazards, leading to a high risk of a severe crash, injury, or fatality. The no-start condition also strands the owner. UNKNOWN. The report only states that the symptoms strongly align with an ESCL failure based on a diagnostic summary, but does not explicitly confirm a dealer or independent service center has reproduced or confirmed the specific ESCL component fa

engine 1 complaint shown

09/25/2021 ODI #11434331.0

On September 5th 2021 I purchased a new Nissan Kicks from Pine Belt Nissan, 229 Route 37 East of Toms River, NJ. 08753. On Saturday September 11th 2021 I was on my way to work and stopped at the light, the car make a different sound and feel. By the time the light changes and I get to around 100 feet at the gate to the development the car shuts off. I looked around to see if I did anything wrong and to my knowledge I didn’t. The car was still in drive my foot was still on the brakes and on the dash board was the oil and engine lights, then a flash warning saying to push the brakes and start switch to start. I just did exactly that and at the end of work I went to the dealer to have them check the car. I was told to return on Monday. At my return to the dealer on Monday September 13th 2021

brakes 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
06/16/2022 38,000 mi ODI #11469650.0

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, and the vehicle made an unintended stop. The vehicle then continued to operate normally. An appointment was scheduled for the vehicle to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 38,000.

body 1 complaint shown

23 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
05/24/2025 ODI #11662960.0

Drivers side door lock will not function properly. The remote will successfully lock/unlock all of the other doors. If the drivers door is locked with the key it will remain locked despite the other doors unlocking with the remote. This problem has been widely reported on Nissan online forums, there are no indicator/warning lights associated with this issue. This issue provides the illusion of a securely locked car when then drivers door remains unlocked, providing an opportunity for theft or worse while parked. This has been an ongoing issue since purchasing the vehicle.

Showing 300 of 69 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Nissan/Kicks#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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