28 of the
874 complaints filed about the Nissan Kicks
are about the throttle and cruise control —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2019.
28
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
2026 Nissan Kicks SV intermittently fails to accelerate despite accelerator pedal application. Vehicle may remain at approximately 20 mph. Dealer has been unable to duplicate the failure despite extended testing. Owner considers the vehicle unsafe because sudden loss of acceleration could result in collision.
NHTSA complaint #11757299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car acceleration issues, taking a long time to go from 0-50 with the tachometer going up to 5 to do so. My MPG has gone from 33 to 28 mpg. There are times when I press on the gas but my car doesn’t move. It also makes loud “rumbling” or “whining” sounds at times.
NHTSA complaint #11732256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The likely failed component is the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL). Associated systems include the steering column, BCM, and EPS motor. Yes, the vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request (Owner: [XXX] , [XXX] ). The safety of the owner and other drivers was put at risk by the sudden, unpredictable loss of steering control (locking mid-turn). This makes it impossible to safely navigate curves or avoid hazards, leading to a high risk of a severe crash, injury, or fatality. The no-start condition also strands the owner. UNKNOWN. The report only states that the symptoms strongly align with an ESCL failure based on a diagnostic summary, but does not explicitly confirm a dealer or independent service center has reproduced or confirmed the specific ESCL component failure. UNKNOWN. The report does not mention inspection by the manufacturer (Nissan), police, or insurance representatives. The main warning symptom is the intermittent brake warning light (randomly turning on and off while driving, with no clear cause). The problems have been ongoing for the past year and appear to be worsened by the extreme heat in [XXX] . The vehicle generally does not display helpful diagnostic codes despite serious failures. The incident involves multiple, recurring, safety-critical failures in a 2021 Nissan Kicks, including the catastrophic loss of steering function while driving. The core issue is assessed to be a malfunctioning Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL). This failure causes the steering wheel to jam/lock, intermittent no-start conditions, and electrical inconsistencies (random brake light/lack of diagnostic codes). These failures are beyond the driver's control, unpredictable, and create an extreme safety hazard, rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11700910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11674301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1.the vehicle brakes on it's own 2.the vehicle stops accelerating while driving even if when the engine is still running and stepping on the gas pedal. 3. lane departure malfunctions
NHTSA complaint #11667323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
car will not accelerate after pressing gas pedal all the way down; has jerking motion to get it to go then sometimes will not move at all; you have to turn car off and try several times
NHTSA complaint #11662687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on a sunny day out of nowhere, no car around me and the car symbol for slippery road, front end collision and see owner’s manual appeared. After stopping at a red light when it was time to turn the car stalled. Although I was pressing the gas the car was barely moving then it “jumped forward” and started driving normally again. I took it to the dealership, they ran a test said the only issue was the battery. Informed them I replaced the battery less than 1 month ago. They said that was the issue so I purchased a new battery from them. 2 weeks later driving home in the rain, the same things happened again. The same symbols and warning. Again I was not in a collision or even near anyone when it came on. I was driving on the highway. When I arrived home I tried to back up into my driveway and the car stalled, although I was pressing the gas the car would not move. I had to turn off the car to be able to finish reversing the car. After researching online it seems to be a wide issue with the Nissan Kicks with the dealership saying do one thing or another but yet the problem persists. I am lucky that the moments it stalled there were no heavy traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11656208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. The ABS, traction control, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights were illuminated. The contact was close by and drove and parked the vehicle at the residence. The following day, the contact started the vehicle and after driving for 4 miles the warning lights again became illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power, and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the dealer was made are of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,800.
NHTSA complaint #11652410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission control module or, (TCM), is the system that failed and or malfunctioned and it is available for inspection upon request of the company. The safety of myself and my husband was put at risk when this component failed and the vehicle would not move forward in traffic. Yes the problem has been reproduced and confirmed, NOT by a dealer, but by myself. No the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, or other representatives with the Nissan Co.. Yes there were warning lamps such as the check engine light no messages and no other symptoms of the problem prior to its failure. The issue first appeared last week of February 2025 so, from my perspective, just last week. 02/25/2025 was date of incident.
NHTSA complaint #11645792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the vehicle had come to a complete stop. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated that the door locks including the rear hatch had independently unlocked. The contact stated that the failure began after an unknown software update was completed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11592809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11577173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11576847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11558023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I am driving my car the collision brake come on and my car will reduce speed and the not accurate. The car would still be started but will not move upon me pushing the acceleration. When I start my car and I’m reversing it will not move upon me accelerating, when I put the car in drive it will jerk and take off really fast. At a red light after coming to a complete stop my car will not accelerate after me pushing the gas, leaving me stuck in traffic in the middle of the street. This is completely unsafe to myself as well as my baby. I am scared to drive my car. I have taken my car in numerous times to the Nissan dealership and it still does the same thing, costing me money.
NHTSA complaint #11528231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving home from work and was changing lanes when all of the sudden the swerving road,two cars crashing, and check engine light came on. I couldn't accelerate and car lost power. I was in the lane next to the fast lane and cars started honking. I was able to pull over eventually. I waited 10 minutes and started the car and the same thing happened but this time I was stuck in between the HOV lanes and the fast lane. I've never been so terrified before and I don't feel safe driving that car ever again. I took my car to the Nissan dealer on 1/28/23 and they were able to reproduce the problem. I was told it almost left their technicion stranded on the freeway. As of 2/1/23 I still do not have my car and I don't know exactly what the problem is. Prior to this incident the check engine light came on and gave a code for the MAF sensor which I replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11504920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY GOING 55MPH, THEN I WANTED TO BREAK SLIGHTLY, BUT I WAS UNABLE TOO, BECAUSE MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. IT DIDNT WANT TO STOP. LUCKILY THERE WASNT CARS NEXT ME. I MANAGED TO PULL MY EMERGENCY BREAK UP AND SLAM ON MY BREAKS AGAIN. CAR GOT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULDNT FIND AN ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED 10/21/22. AND IT HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN 10/29 EXCEPT I WAS OFF THE FREEWAY. SAME PROBLEM MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING, ITS ALMOST AS IT WAS STUCK. I GOT MY CAR TOWED AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING TO SEE WHAT THEY TELL ME. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME. I AM NOT A NEW DRIVER AND I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW IN 2019. IT HAPPEN TWICE WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I AM VERY CONCERNED AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11491536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There was no "incident" but I bought a car from a dealership. The salesman didn't let me take it on the road, only around the parking lot ( so I didn't notice the problem). Since I had driven a similar car at another dealership on the road, I didn't think anything of it. (Dumb, I know). When I drove away, I immediately noticed that the speedometer wasn't working. I turned around at the next exit and headed back...less that 30 minutes. Me: "The speedometer isn't working!" Mgr"we have that part on order and will call you when it comes in." Me:"I told (the salesman) I was going out of town Tuesday (this was a Saturday) and I need a working speedometer." Mgr: "You can get out of a ticket that way. If you get pulled over, just tell the cop that your speedometer isn't working and that will get you out of a ticket." Me: "Where is my old car"? Mgr: "I don't know" Me : I want it back. I want my old car back! Mgr: "Once you sign the papers, we don't return cars." When I got back from out of town, I told the finance mgr what was said to me....He said, "did you get stopped?" Me: "no" FM: "Then, there's no problem" Me: "Sending me out without a speedometer is pretty important. Almost like sending me out without brakes" FM: "Oh, it's not that bad."
NHTSA complaint #11476694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11475489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.