2018 Nissan Kicks: What to check before buying

The engine stalls or shuts off while driving, often at stops or in traffic. A cluster of warning lights comes on with it: check engine, traction control or slip, and automatic emergency braking. Many reports tie this to a P0101 mass air flow code that comes back after the sensor is replaced, sometimes twice. Rough idle, shaking, and refusal to accelerate from a stop are common, and some owners describe heavy steering during a stall. Other reports cover false front radar warnings, a backup camera that goes dark, and Android Auto and USB dropouts.

The ABS fails while its warning light stays on along with brake, slip, and collision lights. One owner reports the car did not respond during a hard stop in the rain. Dealers point to the ABS actuator and control unit. One quote was $2,448 at 18,689 miles, and other reports place the failure near 19,000 miles or after 50,000. A separate problem is automatic emergency braking that slams on or slows the car with no obstacle ahead. False radar obstruction warnings are frequent on highways.

Power drops suddenly while driving, and a "Malfunction See Owner's Manual" or "System Malfunction" message appears, often with slip and collision-warning lights. Letting the car sit for several minutes usually clears it, and dealers often find nothing wrong. Some reports involve the P0101 code. Others involve replaced batteries and an alternator, with the car dying at highway speed and later failing to start. One report of power loss at roughly 100,000 miles ended with no cause found. A shifter that will not move into reverse is also reported.

The front radar reports that it is obstructed or unavailable when nothing is in the way. This happens in rain, snow, and clear sun alike. Warnings start very early, often within days of purchase or the first 300 miles, and keep coming back after dealers clean or replace sensors. Some dealers blame rain and bugs and decline further repair. One crash-related report says automatic emergency braking did not engage during an accident at about 6000 miles.

Power steering goes heavy or quits, often when the engine shuts off in traffic. That can also leave the brake pedal hard to press. On some starts the engine runs but the gauges, stereo, and power steering stay dead until the car has been restarted several times. Other reports describe erratic steering that pulls to one side and overcorrects, rolling back on steep inclines, and rough, grinding shifts into reverse. Each of these patterns carries a real risk of losing control.

Front radar and collision warnings come on with nothing ahead, and they switch off automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. Some cars fail every time it rains, while others act up in clear weather. Repeat dealer repairs often do not hold. One report links the radar fault to a full shutdown while merging onto an interstate that left the car unable to move. The problem can appear within days of purchase.

Front coil springs break near the bottom and rub on the strut. Nothing warns the driver, and the break shows up only on visual inspection. One report puts the first break near 46,000 miles, with the other side failing later. Another car had struts fail before 30,000 miles, early underbody rust, and CVT slipping and jerking near 60,000 miles. That car was an undisclosed Canadian import without factory warranty. A third report actually describes a dash clicking noise and a front crash sensor warning, not a suspension fault.

Throttle response is weak when the engine is first started and improves once it warms up. A P0101 mass air flow code and the check engine light come with it. The code tends to return after repairs, and owners describe paying hundreds of dollars for fixes that do not last. The same code shows up in other categories on this car, where it is linked to stalling and power loss.