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2018 Nissan Kicks problems

The most common problem on the 2018 Nissan Kicks is driver assistance and stability, typically around 8,990 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Kicks model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
87
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
126
Worst area
Driver assistance
Fuel economy
33mpg

The worst 2018 Nissan Kicks problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Nissan Kicks

Check engine light 14Stalling 13ABS 7Collision warning 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2018 Nissan Kicks mention

P0101 8

Recalls 1

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported September 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1‑800‑662‑6200.

Recall number 19V654000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2018 Nissan Kicks

Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Nissan Kicks 126

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 126 bulletins for the 2018 Nissan Kicks

2018 Nissan Kicks fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD313633

What 2018 Nissan Kicks owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Brakes · AZ

Component: ABS Actuator & ECU (Bosch 8 ESP, Nissan P/N 47660-5RL0E, serial #3171279). Available for inspection. What happened: While driving normally, the ABS warning light, traction control light, and airbag (SRS) warning light all illuminated simultaneously. Diagnosed with a scan tool: C1111 (ABS pump motor circuit fault — "failed confirmed"), C1A04 (ADAS/ICC ABS/TCS system fault), C1A26 (ECD mode malfunction). After clearing all codes, C1111 returned within 60 seconds as "failed confirmed," indicating a persistent hardware fault in the ABS pump motor circuit. Safety risk: Vehicle is operating without anti-lock braking, traction control, or electronic stability control. The airbag system may be disabled. In an emergency stop or on wet/icy surfaces, the driver has no ABS or stability intervention. The airbag light indicates SRS may not deploy in a collision. Dealer confirmation: Diagnosis performed by owner using an OBD-II scan tool. The "failed confirmed" status on C1111 returning immediately after clearing is consistent with a hard internal component failure (pump motor drive circuit) within the sealed ABS actuator assembly. Prior warning signs: Failure appeared suddenly with no prior intermittent warning lights reported by the previous owner. Additional notes: The same ABS actuator platform (Bosch/ADVICS 8 ESP) was subject to the federal safety agency recall 20V-xxx for 2015–2019 Murano, Maxima, and Pathfinder due to a pump seal leak causing electrical short and fire risk. The 2018 Kicks uses the same supplier family and architecture but with a different failure mode (internal relay/transistor failure rather than seal leak). The failure mode does not present a fire risk, which is why it was excluded from the recall. The vehicle is 43,000 miles / ~8 years old, within the expected failure window for this component.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NC

Shows an error with the front collision sensor, the engine losses power and eventually shuts down (engine turns off) in the middle of the highway. The check engine light turns on as well as the Automatic Emergency Braking System warning light and the slip indicator light. It also displays the image of the front sensor light on with the warning message “Malfunction. See owners manual” I have taken the car to the shop several times for this specific reason, but nothing fixes this problem. I can start the car again, but it has almost no power, no matter how much I push the gas pedal. Very frustrating and DANGEROUS. This car has been in the family for almost two years and it has always been the same problem with two different drivers.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Engine · OR

My transmission failed while traveling on a highway at 60mph almost causing an accident. Issues with this generation of cvt transmissions have been the subject of multiple lawsuits and warrenty extensions. Nissan is knowingly selling defective vehicles and offer no assistance in resolving their failures. Nissan needs to be held accountable for risking the safety of its customers.

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

It originally started about two years ago when the check engine light came on (along with others) that point to a code with the Mass Air Flow sensor. It would stall at low RPMs at traffic lights, and was extremely worrying during normal driving. We got it replaced and so far okay, but recently the ABS and traction control lights come on and stay on. Another issue that many MANY Nissan owners experience. Some people thinks it’s a dirty throttle body, dirty front collision sensor, dirfty MAF. The problem is that when any of these issues are fixed, it comes back. We don’t know why the ABS and traction control (plus front collision by the way) lights come on. We took it to a mechanic, it was off for two whole days. Now it’s back on. Can’t wait to have it stall on us in the mean time.

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · FL

2018 Nissan Kicks evap system has holes in it from Freon that causes the Freon to leak out. The required Freon is contributing to the holes being made in the aluminum evap. It leaks out and the air blows hot. Is there any help with a recall or repair. I was quoted $4000 to fix. Possible lemon laws. If you research on google. The Kicks are notorious for this problem. The mechanics I talked to laughed or knew all about this problem before even looking at it.

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Engine · TX

Vehicle experienced sudden engine stall/shutdown after warning indicators illuminated. While driving at low speed, the ABS warning light, front collision warning light, and check engine light appeared. After placing the vehicle in Park, the engine shut off unexpectedly. Vehicle would then restart but stall again within several seconds. This created a serious safety concern because the vehicle could lose power unexpectedly in traffic or while entering an intersection, reducing ability to accelerate, steer safely with traffic flow, or avoid a collision. OBD diagnostic codes retrieved were P0101, P0102, and P0113. Based on research into common 2018-2020 Nissan Kicks issues, these codes may be secondary/false airflow sensor warnings caused by a failing or sticking electronic throttle body rather than an actual mass air flow sensor failure. Sudden stalling and restart-then-stall behavior are consistent with throttle body malfunction. Problem appears intermittent. Vehicle/component is available for inspection upon request. No prior warning lamps were present before the incident.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Engine · 100,574 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Kicks. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions and was diagnosed with airflow sensor failure. The contact was informed that the airflow sensor needed to be replaced. The airflow sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and again diagnosed with a failed airflow sensor that required replacement. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 100,574.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · FL

When put in park car started idling rough and then stalled. Engine light, collision warning light, and traction control light came on. Code scanned as a P0101 code.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WI

Radio skips songs back and forth randomly, and now radio screen and buttons are block.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · UT

Intermittently for the last year, car will show 3 dash lights: 1. AEB light 2. Slip indicator light 3. Master warning light When this occurs, the car can be slow to accelerate. When the three lights are on, the problem will persist until the engine is shut off for a period of several minutes. It does not occur every time the car is driven. In the last 3 months, there have been 3-4 instances where the check engine light has come on as well. The code every time has been P1010 or no code displayed. We tried changing out the MAF sensor with a third party part, and the issue occurred even more frequently. We then went back to the first sensor after cleaning it with MAF sensor cleaner. This seemed to resolve the issue for a month, but then it started to reoccur. The last two occurrences of the check engine light have occurred after rapid acceleration. - Yes original part is available for inspection. - Safety is at risk for self and others as car can have issues accelerating, which makes it dangerous to enter freeways and highways (which are necessary for my commute). - Dealer has not reproduced the error, however they have not seen it with a check engine code (taking the car in tomorrow). - no inspection by insurance, police, or manufacturer. - before the 3 error lights started to come on fairly regularly (several times a week) I had a few issues of intermittent sluggish acceleration over the course of 1-2 years when this issue first started, but no lights came on at first.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2018 Nissan Kicks before you buy

Compare the 2018 Nissan Kicks

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Other model years

201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2018 Nissan Kicks

Is the 2018 Nissan Kicks reliable?

Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Kicks, close to a typical Kicks model year.

What is the 2018 Nissan Kicks year score?

The 2018 Nissan Kicks scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Kicks: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Nissan Kicks?

Driver assistance and stability, with 33 complaints, typically around 8,990 miles. Next is electrical (24).

How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Kicks have?

1 recall, covering back over prevention.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Nissan Kicks driver assistance?

Yes, 1 recall: 19V654000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Kicks have the most driver assistance problems?

The Nissan Kicks model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2019 (47 complaints), 2020 (37 complaints) and 2018 (33 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Kicks get?

Official estimates for the 2018 Nissan Kicks range from 33 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 31 city and 36 highway.

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