Electrical system, engine, and issues with the structure are among the main causes of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
There aren’t many complaints to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) about the 2023 Nissan Kicks. But the complaints that have been lodged relate to several components and systems. These include the electrical system, engine and engine cooling, backover prevention, forward collision avoidance, and the structure of the vehicle.
There is also a discussion about sensors malfunctioning in the Facebook Nissan Kicks group. One comment maintains that the Kicks “is a lemon.” The owner explains that it randomly “hesitates at a dead stop then jerks forward” with no lights.
2023 Nissan Kicks Complaint Summary
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Electrical System | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Structure:body | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | |
| Steering | |
Problems with the Electrical System
Complaints to the NHTSA about the electrical system of the 2023 Kicks are combined with other issues. But most seem to implicate problems with sensors in faulty vehicles.
Faulty Electronics and Rearview System Braking Problem
An owner from Illinois who bought a “later release” 2023 Kicks states that the master warning light symbol and rear automatic braking warning light symbol were displayed on the dashboard. These were followed by messages stating, “Warning Malfunction See Owner’s Manual, and Warning Parking Sensor Error See Owner’s Manual.”
Three months later, different messages were displayed. They were “Warning No Key Detected, Check Rear Seat for All Articles, and Parking Sensor Off.” According to the complaint, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) settings menu light dims while accelerating and then returns to normal. Additionally, the “rear sensors are not working to warn of obstructions as designed.” Two service dealerships serviced the vehicle. One did diagnostic testing, but neither of them undertook repairs.
Before any of these warning messages, there was another incident, which led the owner to identify a backover prevention issue as well as an electrical system problem.
“While (my) vehicle was in reverse, another vehicle turned from around a corner. My vehicle automatically made a hard stop to avoid contact with (the turning) vehicle. Warning messages appeared afterward, within (the) same month. I asked the service advisor and service manager at separate locations if (a) hard stop could have caused warning malfunction messages but received no response.”
Another owner posted on the Nissan Kicks Owners (USA) Facebook group that there was a malfunction warning – See Owner’s Manual – at 2,300 miles. Additionally, none of the blind spot sensors were working.
The owner of a 2021 model responded by saying the same thing happened at 8,800 miles. And the owner of a 2018 Kicks, the inaugural model, said his car had the same problem at 71,000 miles. He was told by the dealer that this is a known problem for many Kicks that need to be changed under warranty.
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.
Engine-Related Problems
Another owner of a 2023 Nissan Kicks filed a complaint as being a combined electrical system, engine and engine cooling, and forward collision-avoidance issue. The reason was that several components “failed in multiple instances.” They include:
- The engine shutting off in traffic at a stop light
- A failure to accelerate as if the engine is stuck
- The forward collision warning indicator repeatedly coming on while driving with nothing in front of the Kicks
“An accident almost occurred while sitting at the traffic light when the car shut off and while trying to get on the highway. Being unable to pick up speed puts our safety at risk. Additionally, (there is) the potential for an accident to occur while driving if the engine shuts off or (the) forward collision sensor triggers the automatic emergency braking system.”
The complaint continues, stating that “there were no warning signs in the engine failure incident at the traffic light. The forward collision warning light comes on sporadically. The engine acceleration issue happens at unknown times while pulling off from lights to getting on the interstate ramps.”
At the time of the complaint, the problems had been reported to the service center, and the vehicle was scheduled for inspection and a diagnostic test.
Problems with the Structure
The most serious complaint about the structure of the 2023 Nissan Kicks relates to a malfunction that resulted in the hood of the vehicle flying open. The complaint states that the incident happened eight days after leasing a vehicle, the third time they drove it.
“I had just gotten on the highway and when I got up to 50 mph the hood flew open. The hood and both front quarter panels are damaged. I’ve looked online and this has been a known and ongoing issue with multiple models including the Altima, Pathfinder, and Rouge as well. The dealership has had the vehicle since the day of the incident and has not reached out to us yet.”
What to do if your 2023 Nissan Kicks is a lemon. Your Lemon Rights
If you think that your 2023 Nissan Kicks might be a lemon, the best thing to do is get an experienced lemon law firm like Lemberg Law to assess your problems. Every year automakers like Nissan buy back, replace, or pay cash settlements to thousands of vehicle owners who find they have bought lemons.
Lemberg Law has many years of experience dealing with lemon law vehicle cases. If you would like us to assess your 2023 Nissan Kicks problems call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. We don’t charge our vehicle lemon law clients because the law says that Nissan must pay the legal bill.
