2020 Nissan Kicks Brakes Problems

The vehicle's ABS Actuator (47660-5RW0D) failed and was replaced. Given the mileage was only 32,827, the component failed prematurely and was nowhere near the end of its lifetime expectancy. This indicates it was inherently defective from the factory. This premature failure presented a critical safety hazard. Because the component controls anti-lock braking and the electronic stability control, a sudden failure compromises vehicle safety, increases stopping distances, and poses an immediate risk to driver, passenger, and public safety. Multiple warning lights have been sporadically coming on, every few months, since November of 2025 when the vehicle was serviced, but would go after the vehicle was turned off. This was dismissed as an electric glitch due to a firmware update after researching online to find this was a common occurrence and would just be fixed the next time the vehicle was serviced. Finally, a few days prior to 05/30/2026, the lights came on and stayed on. The vehicle was checked for a bad battery at a local auto parts store on 05/30/2026 as this was researched to be another common possibility. When this was ruled out, the vehicle was taken to a local dealership and inspected and diagnosed to be the bad ABS actuator.

NHTSA ID

11742524

Incident

May 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while the fiancé was driving approximately 30 MPH, and turning left the power steering and power brake suddenly failed causing the fiancé to loose control of the steering and and crash to a traffic pole. The contact indicated that prior to the incident the crash detection warning light had activated. During the crash the air bags deployed and the driver sustain bruising of the left arm and lefts from the air bag deployment and seatbelts. The fiance was transported and treated at the local hospital. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11738156

Incident

May 13, 2026

Mileage

65,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that the ABS, Forward Facing Camera, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), Lane Variation, and other safety feature lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the ABS and Forward-Facing Camera. The dealer diagnosed that the ADAS needed to be replaced; however, the part was on back order. While awaiting parts for the repair, the battery started to lose power and needed to be jump-started several times. The manufacturer was informed of the issue. The manufacturer opened a case for the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

NHTSA ID

11710355

Incident

Oct 29, 2025

Mileage

59,000 mi

I was driving and needed to come to a stop because there was a four-way stop sign, and the brakes didn’t work. The pedal went all the way to the floor and even though I pumped the brakes, it wouldn’t stop. This is the second incident where this happens. I checked the brake pads and fluid everything is good. No warning lights come on when this happens. So the mechanic says they cannot check and see what’s wrong with it because no lights come on.

NHTSA ID

11694301

Incident

Oct 18, 2025

The dealer checked my car and changed some transmission parts but I feel the revs drop when I drive. The dealer cannot find anything. I MUST use the emergency brakes because the car moves in parking even in a flat place. The dealer said it was normal.

NHTSA ID

11640836

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

Over a period of 3 days leading up to the braking incident the Collison warning came on periodically when there was no need, the sensor on the dash on the left,right and front of the vehicle image went yellow, the Malfunction light came on and the Collison warning with no cars around. On the November 9th, 2023 I got the collison warning (looks like 2 cars)and it went away. However that day I was pulling forward from a green light and as I was through the intersection the car suddenly braked stopping the car and a red square appeared on the dash with a letter in it - not sure what it was as I was trying to ensure I was not going to be rear-ended. I was the first car from the light so there was no car ahead of me and no reason for the car to brake and stop. The car behind reacted and went around me avoiding a rear-end collison- Lucky for us. I cautiously continued home and parked and did not drive the car except to the dealer for them to check. Their initial response was bad battery and I'm still waiting. I am afraid to drive this car. What if that was at higher speeds on a highway and a larger behind us. Would we have survived. I don't think so.

NHTSA ID

11555216

Incident

Nov 9, 2023

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 highway, and the car disabled my traction control.

NHTSA ID

11496626

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

For over a year now the forward collision warning light just flashes at random times as I am going down the road (I've taken numerous photos). I've taken it to Downtown Nashville Nissan to have it fixed (under warranty) and they say it has to be flashing when I bring it in. But they have shown me computer read-outs on when it has activated (gone off). They refuse to change the sensor. NOW - twice (04/21/22 and 04/23/22) as I'm driving 70mph down the center lane of the interstate - the sensor activates, this big red triangle flashes up, an alarm goes of and it slams on the brakes. Thank goodness no one has been behind me either time and it only last for a moment (it thinks a pedestrian is crossing in front of me). Cannot get a reply from Nissan.

NHTSA ID

11462426

Incident

Apr 21, 2022

The front collision sensor light comes on three to four times a week without any cars or objects in front of the car. The car speed is below 30 miles when it comes on too. This coincides with the Braking system to kick in and slow down the car. It is risky for us to drive when the car woul brake suddenly with no collision danger in front of us. We haven't taken the car to a dealer yet, but planning to if the issue persists for further inspection. The issue started 2 months or so ago. We have recorded a video of the issues that we can share if needed. Thanks!

NHTSA ID

11447094

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

I am the owner of the vehicle but my daughter was the driver and I am making the complaint on her behalf but she can provide additional details. The vehicle began making a grinding sound at times that sounds similar to the anti-lock braking. Then on Oct 29 the vehicle locked down the brakes as she was pulling into the parking lot at work when there was not a collision imminent. She skidded into the curb damaging her front driver side wheel. We took the vehicle to the Dick Smith Nissan dealer in Lexington SC but they told us they couldn't reproduce the failure and recommended we bring it back if it happened again. We went to pick up the vehicle but before leaving with the car I drove the car around the parking lot and the forward collision light came on in under a minute. They immediately took the car back to service to read the code and asked if we could leave the vehicle with them. They called back after a day or two and said they have no repair and recommended we contact Nissan Consumer Affairs and start a case. We started a case on 11/5/2021 and the case number is 45086982.

NHTSA ID

11440279

Incident

Oct 29, 2021

I was driving on the highway and all of a sudden the automatic brake activated. There were two icons that lit up on the dashboard. One of them was a triangle with an! In the middle and the other one look like a collision. However, there was no one next to me. I did not hit anyone. I called the dealership as I just bought this car last week and they said that this car is usually very sensitive. However, I have been in traffic since purchasing the car and never did this happen. I am very scared that this will happen again. I am very scared that I may have purchased a lemon and they are not telling me.

NHTSA ID

11420065

Incident

Jun 8, 2021