Nissan Kicks slipping problems

Filed Sep 26, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Date: XXXTo:the federal safety agencyOffice of Defects Investigation (ODI)1200 New Jersey Avenue, SEWest BuildingWashington, DC 20590From:[XXX] [XXX]: FORMAL VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT – Sudden Loss of Propulsion and Traffic Hesitation / 2020 Nissan Kicks (VIN: [XXX])To the Office of Defects Investigation,I am writing to formally report a critical, life-threatening vehicle safety defect involving the powertrain/automatic transmission assembly on my 2020 Nissan Kicks FWD SV.While operating the vehicle at 61,564 miles in active traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden and dangerous loss of propulsion without any prior warning. Upon pressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission slipped severely, causing the vehicle to hazardously shudder, shake, and hesitate to move forward. This unexpected lag in acceleration left the vehicle moving dangerously slow in a live traffic lane, creating an immediate and imminent risk of a severe rear-end collision.The vehicle was driven to a certified facility, Vann York's High Point Nissan (located in [XXX]), for an emergency mechanical diagnosis. A diagnostic scan revealed active Diagnostic Trouble Codes DTC P17F0 (CVT Judder) and DTC P2859 (Clutch A Pressure). The certified dealership technician explicitly documented on Repair Order #XXX that the transaxle assembly "WONT MOVE AND IS NOISY," prescribing a complete transmission replacement due to internal component failure.Following this diagnosis, I was forced to navigate the vehicle back to my residence under highly hazardous conditions using hazard lights. Due to the high risk of a total sudden stall or sudden loss of acceleration on public roadways, the vehicle has been grounded at my residence and is currently parked as completely undrivable due to severe safety fears.Nissan has a widespread, heavily documented historical record of manufactur INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · Transmission · OR

The CVT transmission is slipping and losing acceleration while driving, overheating and smelling really bad like burnt rubber, the oil is black and smells burnt, its currently at 52,100 miles and I sent it up to Chuck Colvin Nissan and they did not fix my car, they drove it back to me and when I test drove it myself it broke down on the side of the road and I had to sit for 30 minutes for it to cool off before driving home

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · Transmission · TX

CVT issues-car is sputtering and gears slipping. Vehicle has 148,000 miles.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

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. The electrical system also malfunctions while driving. The dashboard display and infotainment screen intermittently go black, warning lights appear without reason, and some features shut off. These failures happen at random and affect my ability to safely operate the vehicle. Both issues occur multiple times per week at various speeds (20–45 mph), and the vehicle only has 25,531 miles. These defects pose a significant safety risk because they cause unexpected changes in acceleration and visibility of gauges, increasing the chance of an accident.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Engine, Suspension · GA

I purchased a 2018 Nissan Kicks with under 6k miles from Atlanta Luxury Motors (ALM Marietta) on April 29, 2022. The dealer failed to disclose the car was a Canadian import, which voided the manufacturer’s warranty and left me responsible for unsafe defects. At under 30,000 miles, the suspension (struts) failed and had to be replaced, and by 60,000 miles the CVT transmission began showing fault codes, slipping, and jerking, creating serious safety risks while driving. The undercarriage also showed early rust. These problems were confirmed by independent mechanics and service centers, and I have paid over $3,000 in repairs and will inquire more if transmission has to be replaced costing between 6-8k. The vehicle’s defects put me and others at risk of loss of control, and I request the federal safety agency investigation to determine if this model or imported versions are unsafe for U.S. consumers.

Filed May 14, 2024 · Driver assistance, Transmission · PA

They have replaced the transmission two times and this transmission is going bad, it's slipping, shuddering, and hesitating when you hit the gas. This car is a death trap waiting to happen. Nissan knows they put junk transmissions in these cars but still sells them. Nissan is going to end up hurting/killing a lot of innocent lives. It's not safe to be driving this car around, half the time the car doesn't want to go when you hit the gas. My daughter turns 16 and will not be driving this death trap. Nissan needs to recall the 2020 Nissan Kicks SV transmissions too. I do have all the paperwork from the transmissions being put it. I get the run around with the dealer. The vibration issue and they say it'll do that at 90. The collision light is ALWAYS coming on (I have pictures of that too)

Filed Mar 12, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · AL

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.

Filed Jun 26, 2022 · Engine · FL

I was not aware when I purchased my Nissan last year that the CVT transmissions were crap now my transmission is slipping ! I can’t afford to trade in my car or buy another transmission ! Nissan or the dealer didn’t disclose of this !! I am a widowed mother of two and I need my vehicle to provide for my family ! Nissan should rembursh all the people they scammed so they can purchase a brand new non Nissan car !! Nissan should be out of business

Filed Oct 30, 2021 · VA

The transmission will rumble/grind on take off from a stopped position. The transmission also has a hard time changing gears when you get to the 3rd gear going about 35 - 40 MPH and randomly slipping rpms. This has happened multiple times within the last five weeks (10/29/2021).

Filed Oct 24, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 18,000 miles · TX

Radio turns off and on. On its own!!! Car stops on it's own!!! Transmission slips in reverse on hills!! Now a grinding noise when starting the vehicle. Only have had my kicks 1 year!!! I am livid!!!!! I am so mad!!! I have a 3 year old and I cannot risk my life because a brand new car stops in the middle of the highway!!!!