RoadVitals

2019 Nissan Kicks Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Jul 22, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
27%
of 134 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 Nissan Kicks submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 22, 2026

When driving in rainy, snowy/icy, or wet conditions, water/slush impacts the front sensors/MAF sensor, causing the engine to shudder, stall, and shut off completely while in drive. The ABS, battery, and oil lights instantly flash on the dashboard, and the Automatic Emergency Braking system triggers/faults, creating a severe stall and safety hazard on active roads.

NHTSA ID
11752190
Incident
Jan 15, 2022
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 22, 2026

Frequently and randomly I get errors on my dash for the front collision sensor and slippery roads warning. This seems to occur for no reason as all while I am driving. When this happens my RPM's drop and my car will stall at red lights or stop signs. In a few instances, my car has refused to accelerate because it believes the car is obstructed. This has put me at risk of getting rear ended on numerous occasions. I need to turn my car off and on multiple times in order to get to my destination. Once the car is left alone for awhile, the issues completely goes away and the car drives like normal until it inevitably randomly occurs again. This appears to be an issue with the Kicks model across the board, as loads of other people online have had the same issue and tried multiple things to fix it to no avail. Mechanics have no idea what is causing it or how to fix it. It is also impossible to replicate the issues since it happens for seemingly no reason and then goes away for no reason. 3 images are attached to show proof at different miles (however this has occurred more times than I can count). Dates can be seen in the metadata. This is incredibly unsafe and needs to be recalled.

NHTSA ID
11745726
Incident
Feb 4, 2025
Engine
Filed May 26, 2026

The contact owns a2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the engine had stall while the RPMs had dropped below 2000. Also, the ABS and Traction Control warning lights had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who informed of a service code related to the Mass Air Flow was identified and the air filter and battery was replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID
11740178
Incident
Oct 1, 2025
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The check engine and three other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic five times for unknown diagnoses and repairs; however, the failure persisted after the mechanic performed the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11735552
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle immediately hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Mass Air Flow Sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to the local Nissan dealer but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 67,736.

NHTSA ID
11705038
Incident
Sep 5, 2025
Mileage
67,736 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 9, 2025

Transmission Issue - The CVT transmission slips during acceleration and causes the car to lose power. It hesitates, revs high, and sometimes jerks when slowing or speeding up. This creates unsafe driving conditions. Electrical Issue -The electronics intermittently shut off, screen goes black, and warning lights appear. These issues occur while driving and affect vehicle control. It’s a safety hazard -These failures happen unexpectedly in traffic and increase the risk of an accident. Often the Problems happens occurs several times per week and happens at speeds between 20–45 mph. Started around 60,000 miles. The CVT transmission slips during acceleration and causes the car to lose power. The RPMs surge, the vehicle hesitates, and there is a jerking or shuddering sensation when speeding up or slowing down. This happens unexpectedly and makes it hard to maintain speed in traffic. The electrical system also malfunctions while driving. The dashboard display and infotainment screen intermittently go black, warning lights appear without reason, and some features shut off. These failures happen at random and affect my ability to safely operate the vehicle. Both issues occur multiple times per week at various speeds (20–45 mph), and the vehicle only has 25,531 miles. These defects pose a significant safety risk because they cause unexpected changes in acceleration and visibility of gauges, increasing the chance of an accident.

NHTSA ID
11703979
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 17, 2025

My Car ocassionally comes with Code P0101 and P0102 when the check Engine light comes on. And when it does come on, The Traction Light and Head Collision warning lights show as well. These affect how the car drives and I have to stop and shut of the engine for a couple of minutes and then restart the engine. Changing the Mass Air flor sensor does not seem to have helped anything and it seems based on internet searches that several people who own similar cars are having the same issue

NHTSA ID
11687984
Incident
Sep 17, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 17, 2025

The front crash warning will come on and then the car will just cut off. This has happened multiple times while driving. It’s dangerous because it happens without any warning and there is nothing going on with traffic to trigger the warning light.

NHTSA ID
11681209
Incident
Aug 16, 2025
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the alternator and the Mass Air Flow sensor circuit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where the same diagnostic result was provided. The contact was informed that the alternator and the Mass Air Flow sensor circuit had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11680369
Incident
Aug 13, 2025
Mileage
43,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 4, 2025

I keep getting the p0101 code for the MAF sensor and I’ve replaced it 2 times with OEM ones and I still get that code later on. I’ve cleaned the throttle body and replaced the air filter with an OEM one and that light with also the “wet road” and “forward collision” light keep popping up. Stalling has also occurred multiple times while in park or at a stop light and rough idle when ever not in movement.

NHTSA ID
11678136
Incident
Aug 4, 2025
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 17, 2025

It is hard to explain what specific component put my safety at risk. But my car is suffering from unintended acceleration and unintended deceleration, which I've been told is related to my engine/ABS actuator, but Nissan is doing "further investigation" after holding my car for a month and clearing it for use. When I've been driving on the highway my car will decelerate at rapid speed, even with my entire gas pedal on the floor, and then rapidly accelerate when my foot is not on the gas. My inability to control my vehicle in those instances led to near collisions and instances of me getting my car towed. Nissan finally accepted there was an issue with my car and held it for over a month while they waited for a part to come in. They then returned it to me and said it cleared testing. Within an hour of operating the car the same thing happened again while I was on the highway, and I almost was hit from behind after going from 65 miles an hour to 40 and back up to 50+ without any warning. Then I pulled to the side and all my lights flashed including my engine and steering lights. This is a manufacturer issue that other drivers have experienced and without a recall I worry about other drivers on the road who are not as lucky as me and aren't able to pull to safety while their car is speeding and breaking without their control.

NHTSA ID
11674301
Incident
Jul 16, 2025
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2024

Vehicle dies during operation becase of mas airflow sensor. Replaced sensor now it needs nossan diagnostic tool to relearn and I'm being required to pay a minimum of 300 for this service on top of the 250 I paid for the part. This car is shutting off in the middle of intersections.

NHTSA ID
11616874
Incident
Sep 27, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 8, 2024

My 2018 Nissan kicks stalled several times, twice while at a stop light and once while driving. There was no warning or any indicators letting me know that the vehicle stalled. The two times at the light I was only able to notice because I couldn’t get the car to go while pressing the gas. The time I was driving the car suddenly stalled and slowed down and the steering wheel became stiff. I had to place it in neutral and pull over. I took my car to the manufacturer where I bought the car and explained it to them. It stalled in them as well but they couldn’t find a reason for it and told me that it could be my key fob cover and the battery. We changed the battery on 08/07/24 and it just stalled again today at a stop light on 08/08/24. This rules out the key and fob and cover so it must be the something with the transmission or engine. Either way, it becomes unsafe especially while it stalls while driving.

NHTSA ID
11607376
Incident
Aug 5, 2024
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 13, 2024

Xtronic CVT Transmission--available for inspection The car stalled out on a busy interstate exit. The dealership has inspected it and said that they can't pull any codes off of it and looks mechanically sound.

NHTSA ID
11577173
Incident
Mar 12, 2024
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 12, 2024

The CVT transmission in my Kicks slips every time I try to accelerate. It will also stall out from time to time, lose power and die. I've had this happen on an interstate before, almost causing a serious wreck. I have taken it to the dealership multiple times and they keep telling me that there is nothing wrong with it mechanically that they can see.

NHTSA ID
11576847
Incident
Aug 21, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 3, 2023

Symptoms: *Automatic Emergency Braking (3 occasions) *Slip Indicator (3 occasions) *Check Engine -Code P0101 (Been on 4 weeks so far) Road Condition: *Dry sunny days AEB and Slip Indicator lights randomly came on 3 different times. On the 3rd time, Check Engine light came on together and it's been on ever since. AEB and Slip lights go away after the car is turned off. Having AEB and Slip lights on makes the car drive like it is on the lower gear and the engine shut off at every red light. I started noticing the smell of excess gasoline fume especially when the car is moving but not accelerating, meaning that when my foot is off the gas pedal. Because P0101 indicates MAF sensor malfunction, I replaced with a Hitachi-made MAF sensor. For some strange reason, the car lost battery power so I ended up replacing battery at the same time. Unfortunately, the Check Engine Light is still on.

NHTSA ID
11558200
Incident
Aug 29, 2023
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 1, 2023

The Motor/engine consumes excess oil creating a burnt smell and a lot of whitesmoke coming out of the muffler. The vehicle is stalling constantly and won’t accelerate properly while driving. Creating an unsafe environment for me and those driving near me. I have repair and install new piece but non of them would fix the problem. I took it to the dealer and they didn’t find the problem. I have heard of a lot of people having the same issue with this model of vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11558023
Incident
Aug 1, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 6, 2023

My car shut off while I was driving it with no warning and almost caused an accident. I have already had spark plugs and battery replaced as well as routine maintenance and it has shut off on me 3 times already.

NHTSA ID
11543032
Incident
Sep 6, 2023
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 2023

October 2019, I purchased a 2019 Nissan kicks and had no issues until last December. Took the car to the dealership because it would start jerking randomly when trying to accelerate. I’ve taken my car to the dealership for this issue 6 times and each time I’m told something different. I’ve had my transmission replaced twice within 7 months, new throttle body, mass air flow sensor and my ECM replaced and the jerking is still there but has never triggered the check engine light.

NHTSA ID
11540835
Incident
Aug 4, 2023
Engine
Filed Apr 19, 2023

The contact's mother owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while she was driving approximately 43 MPH, an unknown object struck underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that after pulling over and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ID
11517864
Incident
Jul 30, 2022
Mileage
58,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 23, 2022

THE TRANSMISSION SLIIPPED SO BAD THAT IT LURCHED ME FORWARD AND ALMOST TO STAND STILL TRAFFIC ! I NEARLY HIT OIL TANKER I WAS. ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT IN THE PARKING LOT !! THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AFRIAD TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE TRAINED TO SCAM CUSTOMER I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTAINCE ON IT SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. NISSAN FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MAKE CRAPPY CARS!!

NHTSA ID
11475489
Incident
Jul 3, 2022
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 22, 2022

Car stalls at red lights and the engine turns off with no warning. After, car turns back on and has rough idle and flashes all lights on the dashboard. Went to Nissan dealership and it’s an issue with the mass airflow sensor and throttle body. Coincidentally, the issues arise after the warranty period. Expensive fix and safety issues for city driving.

NHTSA ID
11475411
Incident
Jul 16, 2022
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2022

I was not aware when I purchased my Nissan last year that the CVT transmissions were crap now my transmission is slipping ! I can’t afford to trade in my car or buy another transmission ! Nissan or the dealer didn’t disclose of this !! I am a widowed mother of two and I need my vehicle to provide for my family ! Nissan should rembursh all the people they scammed so they can purchase a brand new non Nissan car !! Nissan should be out of business

NHTSA ID
11471053
Incident
May 7, 2021
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 14, 2022

When car is turned on, and is on idle within 3 minutes it shuts off. When driving around town and stopped at light or slowly driving car will turn off. Engine will shake at times and refuse to go into drive and move as if it were put into neutral. Break lights are beginning to turn while in drive. Especially when turning car on, I have to bring the break clutch up and back down to turn off. however, the light will turn on again and beep while in drive. All the radio does is constantly shut down all the time and reset itself, or completely freeze. Collision light also turns on when stopped in light, or driving. I have to continuously turn the car off and wait until the car is safe to drive. Problems began when I first bought the car in 2019, and has continues until today. Many customers do complain about the same problems they have about the car.

NHTSA ID
11469247
Incident
Sep 30, 2019
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 26, 2022

While traveling 45 MPH vehicle stalled and dash warning lights illuminated. vehicle would not exceed 35 MPH

NHTSA ID
11462277
Incident
Apr 22, 2022

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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