2019 Nissan Kicks: What to check before buying

Sudden power loss and stalling lead this category, usually with a burst of dash warnings for automatic emergency braking, front collision, slip or traction, and check engine. The car may stall at red lights, struggle to rev, or crawl through traffic until it is shut off and restarted. Shops often blame the mass airflow sensor and code P0101, but new sensors, batteries and spark plugs often don't fix it. A separate group reports ABS warning lights, with one dealer quoting over $4,000 for a new ABS controller and actuator. Some owners also report the radio volume changing on its own.

CVT slipping, shudder, jerking and sudden loss of acceleration lead this category. Some cases end in a stall on the interstate or a transmission failure that needs a full replacement. Several reports place failures between about 65,922 and 80,000 miles, and one says symptoms grew worse near the end of the 5 year factory warranty. Dealers often find no codes or say the car works as designed. Other complaints describe a loud bang when shifting out of Park on a slope, a knocking drivetrain, and stalling at red lights blamed on the mass airflow sensor and throttle body. One report is crash-related.

ABS warning lights are the most common brake complaint, and dealers diagnose a faulty ABS actuator or module. Several reports land near 34,000 miles. Some say the module is on national backorder, which leaves cars unrepaired, and one cites $1500 to $2000 for the part. Automatic emergency braking also activates with nothing ahead, and laser misalignment warnings return after the dealer recalibrates. Two crash reports involve 2 injuries: one describes unintended acceleration into a house with the brakes not stopping the car, the other phantom braking. Another report describes a hard stop followed by a sideways slide.

Stalling while driving or at stop lights is the main engine complaint. It often comes with code P0101 or P0102 and front collision, slip and emergency braking warnings all at once. Replacing the mass airflow sensor, even with OEM parts, often fails to stop it, and one owner was charged for a dealer relearn on top of the part. Rough idle and hesitation follow restarts. Some reports here actually describe transmission slipping and highway shutdowns, one at only 5k miles. One car was towed in at about 58,000 miles and diagnosed as needing a new engine.

Sudden power loss at road speed is the core pattern. Dash warnings light up and the car slows from 45 mph and will not go above 35 mph. Some drivers lose acceleration during a freeway lane change and end up stranded between lanes, and one dealer reproduced the problem on a test drive. The opposite also appears: a car that keeps accelerating and will not slow, so the driver has to use the emergency brake, while the dealer finds no fault. One buyer also reports a speedometer that did not work at delivery.

False front collision and slippery road warnings appear with nothing ahead, followed by a malfunction message telling the driver to see the owner's manual. The car then drags as if the parking brake is on, or limps along without accelerating until the driver pulls over. Episodes occur on dry roads and also when snow or wind blows toward the front of the car. One report links the warning to code P0101 for the mass airflow sensor. Another describes ABS and slippery road assist cutting out intermittently.

Unstable highway handling is reported early in ownership: swaying, shimmy, and a floating feel over bumps and during lane changes, worse in rain. An alignment did not help. Another alignment printout showed values still out of spec that the dealer said cannot be adjusted. A third complaint describes a broken front spring found with no warning, which raises the risk of a tire rupture. Only 3 complaints are filed here, and owners say neither dealers nor Nissan accepted responsibility.

Rearview camera failure shows up as a black screen while reversing, reported at about 83,000 miles, with no help from the dealer or manufacturer. The other 2 complaints filed here describe the stall-and-warning pattern seen in other categories. The collision and traction lights come on, the car suddenly stops in traffic and has to be restarted, or it surges and then loses power during shifts.