What are the most common Nissan Kicks problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 1,140+ owner reports, the 2021 Nissan Kicks has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Loss — Torque Sensor Weld Failure (Recall PMA25/PMA26), CVT Overheating During Highway Driving, Infotainment Touchscreen Freezing / Rebooting and CarPlay Disconnects. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Nissan Kicks reliable?
The 2021 Nissan Kicks has 7 known issues documented across 1,140+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Loss — Torque Sensor Weld Failure (Recall PMA25/PMA26). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Kicks problems?
Repair costs for known Nissan Kicks issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2021 Nissan Kicks Electric Power Steering (EPS) Assist Loss — Torque Sensor Weld Failure (Recall PMA25/PMA26)?
Certain 2021 Kicks (built July 19-September 27, 2021) have an intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering torque sensor caused by poor weld penetration at a terminal that can disconnect. When it fails, EPS assist is disabled, a warning light illuminates, and… Severity: high.
What is the 2018-2024 Nissan Kicks CVT Overheating During Highway Driving?
The Nissan Kicks CVT transmission (Jatco CVT7 W/R) overheats during sustained highway driving, particularly in hot weather or hilly terrain. The transmission enters limp mode to protect itself, limiting speed to 40-50 mph. The small displacement 1.6L engine forces the CVT to work… Repairs typically run $150-$3,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2021-2025 Nissan Kicks Infotainment Touchscreen Freezing / Rebooting and CarPlay Disconnects?
Kicks owners report the infotainment touchscreen freezing or becoming unresponsive (requiring a restart), the system randomly rebooting on its own, and frequent Apple CarPlay / Android Auto disconnections, failures to connect, or audio that cuts out after a few minutes. The failu… Severity: medium.
What is the 2018-2024 Nissan Kicks Weak A/C Performance in Hot Weather?
The Nissan Kicks has widespread complaints about weak air conditioning performance, especially in temperatures above 90F. The undersized A/C system struggles to cool the cabin adequately. Nissan issued TSB NTB19-041 addressing A/C performance concerns. The issue is partially due… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: low.
What is the 2018-2024 Nissan Kicks Excessive Engine Noise and Vibration (HR16DE)?
The Kicks HR16DE 1.6L engine produces excessive noise and vibration that transmits into the cabin, particularly at highway RPMs where the CVT holds the engine at 3,000-4,000 RPM. The lack of sound insulation and the CVT's tendency to keep RPMs high under load amplifies the issue. Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: low.
What is the 2018-2025 Nissan Kicks CVT Drone and Noise at Highway Speeds?
The Kicks' CVT produces excessive drone and noise at highway speeds (60-75 MPH). The CVT holds high RPMs (3,500-4,000) for highway cruising due to the small 1.6L engine's limited torque, creating a constant loud droning noise in the cabin. This is partly a design characteristic o… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: low.
What is the 2018-2025 Nissan Kicks Rear Drum Brake Squeal and Dust Contamination?
The Kicks uses rear drum brakes (a cost-saving measure) that develop squealing, grinding, and poor performance from brake dust accumulation. The semi-sealed drum design traps dust and debris, causing noise and inconsistent braking. The issue is worse in dusty or wet environments. Repairs typically run $50-$300. Severity: low.
