Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Nissan Kicks owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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.
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.
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.
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. …
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. …
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. …
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. …
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.
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.
Engine complaints in other Kicks years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Nissan Kicks?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Nissan Kicks, 27% of the model year's 134 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Nissan Kicks engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 Nissan Kicks, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Nissan Kicks engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.