Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of bad manufacturing and run-arounds from auto companies. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
Nissan’s first subcompact crossover, the Juke, entered the market relatively early, in 2011. Visually, motoring journalists described it as being bizarrely different, comical, ugly, and somewhat funky.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2019 2020
Contents
- 1| NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Nissan Kicks
- 2| Previous Complaints about the Nissan Kicks
- 3| Most Common Problems with the 2021 Nissan Kicks
- 4| 2021 Nissan Kicks Forward Collision Avoidance Problems
- 5| 2021 Nissan Kicks Electrical Problems
- 6| 2021 Nissan Kicks Engine Problems
- 7| What to do if your 2021 Nissan Kicks is a lemon. Your Lemon Rights
- 8| Complaint Data
Don’t be stuck with a lemon. You have legal rights to cash, return or buyback.
The law makes Nissan pay legal fees.
We've fixed thousands of lemon problems. Message or call 877-795-3666 today.
NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Nissan Kicks
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Structure:body | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Electrical System | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
When the time came to redesign the crossover in 2018, Nissan Kicks was born. Considerably more conventional in style, it’s found a welcome niche in the market. But as Lemberg Law has reported in our Is Your Car A Lemon? series of articles , it hasn’t been devoid of problems.
We have studied complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to see how complaints about different models compare.
Previous Complaints about the Nissan Kicks
There are 40 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Kicks, 31 about the 2019 model, and 25 about the 2020 model. While it looks at face value as if complaints are reducing with each model year, this is not necessarily the case. This is because complaints don’t stop with the model year.
For instance, there were only 3 complaints about the 2018 model in 2018 and 19 in 2019. The other 18 dates from 2020 onwards. Similarly, there are only 5 complaints about the 2019 model that are dated 2019. There are 17 from 2020 and 9 from 2021. The 2020 complaints about the 2020 model are similarly low at 8. But there are 12 from 2021 and already 5 made in 2022.
Most Common Problems with the 2021 Nissan Kicks
So far there are only 5 complaints about the 2021 model made to NHTSA, 4 from 2021. There have, though, been 28 manufacturer communications with dealers that highlight issues with the vehicle.
Of the complaints, forward-collision avoidance issues carry 2 complaints, one of which also refers to seats and airbags. Other problems relate to the electrical system, engine, and structure of the vehicle.
The structural problem focuses on chipping paint in a fleet unit as well as some evidence of rust.
2021 Nissan Kicks Forward Collision Avoidance Problems
There are 2 problems that relate to forward-collision avoidance. One of these also implicates airbags and seats as problem areas.
One complaint follows a crash where the complainant’s car rear-ended a SUV that stopped suddenly. They were traveling at about 50-60 mph, but the airbags didn’t deploy. Additionally, “the passenger seat appears to have come off its tracks.”
The complainant questions whether the emergency braking system may have failed. Alternatively, he suggests that “the car just did not have time to react.”
While the first complaint highlights how the forward-collision avoidance system didn’t avoid a collision, the second complaint doesn’t even involve a potential collision.
The problem, which has recurred for at least two months, is that the warning light is triggered by sunlight. “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.”
2021 Nissan Kicks Electrical Problems
The reported electrical issue is that the Nissan Kicks heater doesn’t work properly.
“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.”
2021 Nissan Kicks Engine Problems
The engine complaint is a result of a brand new Nissan Kicks shutting off while driving. The dealer tried to recreate the problem several times, couldn’t, and said there was nothing wrong with the vehicle.
When the complainant said he wants his money back, a different car, or an attorney, a Nissan representative reportedly told him to “get an attorney.”
This is probably the best advice they could give! When a problem constantly recurs, there’s a good chance you’ve bought a lemon. And if you’ve bought a lemon, the best advice you will get is from a lemon lawyer.
What to do if your 2021 Nissan Kicks is a lemon. Your Lemon Rights
If your Nissan Kicks has problems that your dealer can’t solve you may have a lemon on your hands. While this article explores the problems that other Nissan Kicks owners have complained to NHTSA about, your problems may be quite different.
If you think you have a lemon, contact the Lemberg Law Helpline so that we can assess your problem as soon as possible. In reality, we are more likely to get you a replacement car or your money back. We have done it many times for our clients.
Remember that the law makes the manufacturer pay the legal bills for lemons. That means no out of pocket costs for you!
Complaint Data
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
| Date | Mar 24, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | Driving approximately 40mph with no one in front, sides, rear and car suddenly braked without warning for no reason. Glad no car behind could have caused accident. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Mar 19, 2023 |
| State | OK |
| Description | The vdc system comes on to alert of accident when it should not took to dealer twice and they advise nothing wrong with it |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Feb 13, 2023 |
| State | OK |
| Description | The vdc system warnings come on have been to the dealer twice not been resolved. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 16, 2023 |
| State | NC |
| Description | Blistering on mirrors, front grille, side windows, nissan emblem in back, black trim in hatch area, inside the back lightning, entire back plate in hatch area, huge holes in bottom, smell burning smell when driving. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 13, 2023 |
| State | TX |
| Description | When driving early in the morning or late at night, front impact sensor and front distance sensor lights flash on the dash display for between 2-5 minutes. Vehicle has been to the dealership for this exact issue 3 times previously, have a 4th visit scheduled this coming week. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings, Service Brakes |
| Date | Jan 09, 2023 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | While I'm driving, usually while I'm on the freeway, my 2021 nissan kicks will think I'm about to get into a head on collision and try to brake for me. I get warnings that come onto my dash and my emergency brake light will come on. This happens about 2-3 times a week and seems to be happening more frequently. My car is still under warranty and I've taken it into the dealership three times now and they can't seem to find an issue. |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Nov 30, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 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 waiting to hear back from maus nissan about my car and where to go from here. It's very troubling to be traveling at such a fast speed to nothing at all and luckily I was able to pull over to safety. |
| Category | Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Oct 24, 2022 |
| State | UT |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
| Date | Jun 16, 2022 |
| State | GA |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | May 19, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | Vehicle not drivable will not shift gears |
| Category | Engine, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | May 19, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | Vehicle will not accelerate beyond 35 mp h |
| Category | Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control |
| Date | Mar 28, 2022 |
| State | TN |
| Description | The contact owns a 2021 nissan kicks. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, she pulled over and put the vehicle in park. Once the vehicle was parked, it continued to roll forward. The vehicle hit a concrete light pole in the parking lot and damaged the driver's side front fender and headlights. No airbags deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel which contact was aware of. There was a police report filed. The contact drove the vehicle safely home; then towed it to the dealer the following day. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Mar 17, 2022 |
| State | AL |
| Description | Brand new vehicle purchased on 12/28/21. Forward collision warning system - this system has activated twice when there were no other vehicles near mine. Then on 3/15 returning home from an out of town trip it appears that it activated again with no other vehicles within distance and then my vehicle completely shut down and every light on my dash came on and a malfunction warning for it. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership where I bought it. The dealership is also where I am employed. The diagnostic has been completed and it threw 6 codes. Safety could be impacted in several ways. The vehicle started to slow and there was no power to accelerate. The car could have cut off in the middle of the highway broke down also putting other vehicles in danger of hitting the car and causing injuries and vehicle damage. I was driving alone at midnight when this occurred. If I did not have aaa I would have had to walk miles alone to the nearest exit possibly putting myself in danger. If this function would have failed when it was needed accidents and injuries would occur. |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 21, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 2021nissan kicks[xxx]paint chipping -fleet unit - paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). |
| Category | Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body, Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 21, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 2021nissan kicks[xxx]paint chipping -fleet unit - paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 21, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | paint chipping -fleet unit - paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 21, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | tucl1082021nissan kicks[xxx]paint chipping -fleet unit - paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). |
| Category | Structure:body, Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 21, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 2021nissan kicks[xxx]paint chipping -fleet unit - paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Feb 21, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | 2021nissan kicks[xxx]paint chipping -fleet unit - paint chipping above upper crease of windshield of vehicle, some rusting present. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Dec 23, 2021 |
| State | MN |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Air Bags, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Seats |
| Date | Dec 02, 2021 |
| State | AL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Oct 06, 2021 |
| State | AL |
| Description | 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. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Sep 25, 2021 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | 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 I was told the service department cannot recreate the problem, so I should continue to drive the car and if it happens again to take pictures and bring it in. Well on september 16th 2021 it shuts off again this time on a busy street with cars honking and people shouting at me. This time I took the pictures and drove directly to the dealer. I was given a rental and was told they will try to recreate the problem. On september 18th 2021 I receive a call from gary in service who informed me to bring the rental back and pickup my car because they cannot find anything wrong with it. I returned the rental and request anew kicks because I feel unsafe in the other one. My sales person showed me two new cars saying it's the only new vehicle on the lot. I decline that offer as well as the offer to trade in the car at a loss to me and take another car. I was then referred to nissan customer service at consumer affairs by mike one of the managers. I spoke to a david on september 22nd 2021 and said they will call me in three days. On the 23rd I receive a call from mia saying the same thing the dealer said. I told her I need my money back, a different car or an atty. She said to get an attorney |
Share your story
Does this ring a bell? Have you had a bad experience too? Sound off and share your experience with other visitors in the comment box below.
About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
See more posts from Brian Jones BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT