Offering a roomy interior, advanced technology, and excellent value in comparison to past Nissan subcompact SUV models, consumers were excited to purchase the 2019 Nissan Kicks. The automaker made several great claims about the Kicks, promising customers that the vehicle will help them “drive with confidence.” The excitement quickly died down for many drivers as this model year is prone to a host of manufacturing defects involving the vehicle’s collision avoidance system, electrical system, engine, and powertrain.
2019 Nissan Kicks Problems
Front collision sensors in the Nissan Kicks SUV appear to be malfunctional. These sensors are a key component of the vehicle’s forward collision warning and automatic/forward emergency braking systems. They are used to detect vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects near the vehicle. Kicks drivers regularly report that the sensors in their vehicles give false warnings which trigger the AEB/FCW systems. Affected vehicles will suddenly brake even when there are no obstacles present, making these vehicles unsafe and unreliable to drive.
Electrical problems are another major concern in the 2019 Kicks. Formal complaints about the vehicle mention issues with the radio, dashboard display, and key fob. Even when the vehicle is turned off, drivers have reported that the radio, dashboard, and lights continue to function. Others mention that they must manually lock their vehicle’s doors due to problems with the key.
The 2019 Kicks also has issues with its transmission. Drivers regularly report strange noises, sudden acceleration, and stalling while driving. Total transmission failure is also common. Related repairs can be expensive. Replacing the transmission in a Nissan Kicks vehicle can cost well over $3,000. Not only are these problems costly, but they also make these vehicles unreliable and dangerous to drive. Unfortunately, transmission issues are not unique to the Kicks.
Nissan Kicks Braking and Transmission Issues
Several vehicles in Nissan’s lineup, including the Kicks, often have noticeable defects in their automatic emergency braking (AEB), forward collision avoidance (FCW), and continuously variable transmission (CVT) systems. Nissan vehicles have been the subject of multiple class action lawsuits for these concerns, alleging that defects in these systems can make these vehicles unsafe to drive. Common symptoms associated with faulty AEB/FCW systems include:
- Cruise control malfunction
- Difficulty starting vehicle
- FCW/AEB sensors detecting nonexistent objects
- Sudden braking
- Stalling
Nissan’s CVT transmission is particularly known for its production defects. Drivers with affected vehicles have experienced the following:
- Burning smell
- Noises when turning
- Grinding noise
- Loss of acceleration
- Low Idle
- Sudden acceleration/deceleration
- Stalling
- Whining noise
- Transmission failure
- Warning lights
2019 Nissan Kicks Recall
There appears to currently be only one recall that includes the 2019 Nissan Kicks. A wide range of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles were recalled in September 2019 for back over protection issues in the rear-view camera. The back-up camera’s settings can be altered so that the rear-view image is no longer visible. Affected vehicles can retain these settings the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse, resulting in image loss that can increase the risk of accident. Dealers were instructed to update the back-up camera settings and software.
Consumer Complaints
The following are excerpts from complaints filed by Nissan Kicks drivers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The most common issues reported to NHTSA involve defects in the Kicks’ forward collision-avoidance, braking, and transmission systems. Several drivers also mention excessive oil consumption, airbag issues, and Kicks warning lights in their vehicles.
“I was driving on the highway and the front collision sensor kept going off. We pulled the vehicle over at our destination and parked. Cleared the front cameras, shut the engine off and all warning malfunction indicators kept lighting up. First no key detected, then brake warning, head light malfunction, brake, seat belt, and check engine warnings all flashed at the same time.”
- 2019 Nissan Kicks Driver
“There is a grinding sound that seems to come from the passenger’s front quarter of my Kicks… It has happened several times and seems to decelerate the car.”
- 2019 Nissan Kicks Driver
“I filled the tank and the reading was much lower, as if I had less gas in the tank. I filled the tank, and after driving one mile, the reading said I drove 3 miles. So I was losing 3 miles of gas per 1 mile drive.”
- 2019 Nissan Kicks Driver
“My mother had an accident that totaled the automobile. The vehicle was only a few months old with less than 2500 miles on the odometer. The accident was a front-end collision and the driver’s air bag did not deploy… she suffered severe injuries due to the faulty airbag.”
- 2019 Nissan Kicks Driver
Excellence in California Nissan Lemon Law
The Lemon Law Experts have successfully handled lemon law cases against Nissan North America for model vehicles including the Altima, Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Juke, Kicks, Murano, Rogue, Titan, Sentra, Quest, Versa, and more. California lemon laws cover any of the following issues regularly experienced by Nissan drivers, including but not limited to:
- Air Conditioning only blowing warm air
- Airbag light
- ABS light
- Braking problems
- Coolant leaking
- Check Engine light
- Engine problems
- Excessive Oil Consumption
- Jerking
- Shuddering
- Transmission failure
If you have taken your Nissan vehicle to an authorized repair shop multiple times under warranty and problems in your vehicle persist, then it is possible that you may have a lemon. If your vehicle has spent 30 days or more out of service for repairs, that alone can make your vehicle a lemon. Luckily, California lemon law guarantees you legal protection if your vehicle’s safety, use, and or value is impaired due to manufacturing defects.
Whether you purchased or leased your Nissan vehicle, reach out to the Lemon Law Experts for a fast and confidential case evaluation. One of our experienced lemon law attorneys will review your possible Nissan lemon law claim to determine if you are indeed in possession of a lemon. If so, you could be entitled to a repurchase, replacement, or cash compensation. We can help you take those first steps towards replacing your lemon with a vehicle you can feel safe in. Call the Lemon Law Experts today.
