Nissan Kicks problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The Kicks has fewer documented problems than older Nissans, and most are recalls fixed with software or a part swap. Key ones are a 2021 power steering sensor that can cut assist, and 2025–2026 recalls for a blank instrument display, rear camera, door strikers and labels. 2018–2019 models also share a back-up camera software fix.

CarWhere lists 9 documented Kicks issues, including 9 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.

Kicks generations at a glance

Nissan Kicks generations and the known issues listed for each
Generation	Model years	Issues on this page
First generation	2018–2024	Driver air bag inflator may absorb moisture (recall 24V154) · Power steering assist may cut out (recall 22V693) · Back-up camera settings can hide the rear image (recall 19V654)
Second generation	2025 onward	Instrument display may go blank (recall 26V331) · Door strikers may be poorly welded and break (recall 26V023) · Front seat frame brackets may be poorly welded (recall 26V145) · Rearview camera screen may go blank (recall 25V324) · Weight rating label may be wrong (recall 25V188) · Shift-to-Park warning may not sound (recall 24V969)

First generation Kicks problems (2018–2024)

Driver air bag inflator may absorb moisture (recall 24V154) (2023–2024)

Safety recall

Generation:: First generation (2018–2024)
Years:: 2023–2024
Powertrain:: All

A manufacturing issue can let the driver air bag inflator absorb moisture in a small number of 2023–2024 Kicks and other Nissan and Infiniti models, so the air bag may deploy improperly. Dealers replace the driver air bag assembly free of charge. The 351 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Kicks.

Symptoms

No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the driver air bag replacement

NHTSA recall: 24V154 (2024-02-27) · 351 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [7]

Power steering assist may cut out (recall 22V693) (2021)

Safety recall

Generation:: First generation (2018–2024)
Years:: 2021
Powertrain:: All

An intermittent connection in the electric power steering torque sensor on certain 2021 Kicks and Versas can switch off power assist. Dealers check the sensor lot code and replace the steering column if needed, free of charge. A second campaign (23V496) added more vehicles. The 20,040 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Kicks.

Symptoms

Steering suddenly heavy
Power steering warning light

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the steering column inspection

NHTSA recall: 22V693 (2022-09-15) · 20,040 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [8][9]

Back-up camera settings can hide the rear image (recall 19V654) (2018–2019)

Safety recall

Generation:: First generation (2018–2024)
Years:: 2018–2019
Powertrain:: All

On many 2018–2019 Nissans, including the Kicks, the camera display settings can be adjusted so the rear image disappears and stays off the next time the vehicle is in reverse. Dealers update the camera software free of charge. The 1,228,830 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Kicks.

Symptoms

Rear camera shows no image after display settings were changed

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the back-up camera software update

NHTSA recall: 19V654 (2019-09-12) · 1,228,830 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [10]

Second generation Kicks problems (2025 onward)

Instrument display may go blank (recall 26V331) (2025–2026)

Safety recall

Generation:: Second generation (2025 onward)
Years:: 2025–2026
Powertrain:: All

A software error in the instrument cluster of certain 2025–2026 Kicks can leave the display partly or fully blank, hiding speed and warning lights. Dealers reprogram the cluster software free of charge. NHTSA lists 51,598 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

Instrument screen blank or partly blank

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the combination meter reprogramming

NHTSA recall: 26V331 (2026-05-21) · 51,598 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [1]

Door strikers may be poorly welded and break (recall 26V023) (2026)

Safety recall

Generation:: Second generation (2025 onward)
Years:: 2026
Powertrain:: All

Certain 2026 Kicks, 2025 Altimas and Sentras and 2025–2026 Frontiers may have door strikers with bad welds that can break and let a door open while driving. Dealers replace the strikers free of charge. The 26,432 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Kicks.

Symptoms

Door does not latch firmly

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the door striker replacement

NHTSA recall: 26V023 (2026-01-21) · 26,432 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [2]

Front seat frame brackets may be poorly welded (recall 26V145) (2026)

Safety recall

Generation:: Second generation (2025 onward)
Years:: 2026
Powertrain:: All

A handful of 2026 Kicks and Sentras may have front seat frame hook brackets with weak welds that can let the seat loosen. Dealers replace the front seats free of charge. The 15 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Kicks.

Symptoms

Front seat feels loose

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the front seat replacement

NHTSA recall: 26V145 (2026-03-13) · 15 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [3]

Rearview camera screen may go blank (recall 25V324) (2025)

Safety recall

Generation:: Second generation (2025 onward)
Years:: 2025
Powertrain:: All

The center display on certain 2025 Kicks and Frontiers may stay blank when shifted into reverse. Dealers update the display software free of charge. The 79,755 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Kicks.

Symptoms

Blank screen in reverse

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the display software update

NHTSA recall: 25V324 (2025-06-04) · 79,755 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [4]

Weight rating label may be wrong (recall 25V188) (2025)

Safety recall

Generation:: Second generation (2025 onward)
Years:: 2025
Powertrain:: All

Certain 2025 Kicks may have a certification label with incorrect vehicle and axle weight ratings, and some SR models with 19-inch wheels list the wrong wheel size, which could lead to overloading or wrong tire pressures. Dealers fit new labels free of charge. NHTSA lists 37,003 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

Door-jamb label does not match the wheels fitted

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the new certification label

NHTSA recall: 25V188 (2025-04-18) · 37,003 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [5]

Shift-to-Park warning may not sound (recall 24V969) (2025)

Safety recall

Generation:: Second generation (2025 onward)
Years:: 2025
Powertrain:: All

On a small number of 2025 Kicks the Shift-to-Park warning may not activate when the vehicle is turned off out of Park, raising rollaway risk. Dealers reconfigure the body control module free of charge. NHTSA lists 89 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

No chime when switching off in Drive or Neutral

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the BCM reconfiguration

NHTSA recall: 24V969 (2024-12-23) · 89 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [6]

Related Kicks research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how a Kicks was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Nissan build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Nissan build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Nissan Kicks problems?

Documented issues are mainly recalls: power steering assist that can cut out on 2021 Kicks (22V693 and 23V496), back-up camera settings on 2018–2019 models, and on the redesigned 2025–2026 Kicks, a blank instrument display, rear camera and door striker recalls.

Does the 2025 Kicks have recalls?

Yes. 2025 Kicks recalls include a blank rearview camera screen (25V324), incorrect weight labels (25V188), a missing Shift-to-Park warning (24V969) and a blank instrument display on 2025–2026 models (26V331).

Is there a CVT warranty extension for the Kicks?

None of the official CVT warranty-extension sources reviewed for this page list the Kicks. Check any specific vehicle's coverage with a Nissan dealer using the VIN.

Which Kicks has the power steering recall?

Certain 2021 Kicks, along with 2021 Versas, are covered by 22V693 and 23V496 for an intermittent torque sensor connection that can disable power steering assist.

How do I check a used Kicks for open recalls?

Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask for dealer repair orders showing completed software updates and part replacements.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

Recall 26V331: Blank Screen Display/FMVSS 101 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 26V023: Improperly Welded Door Strikers/FMVSS 206 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 26V145: Insufficiently Welded Front Seat Frames/FMVSS 207, 210 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 25V324: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 25V188: Incorrect Weight Rating on GAWR and GVWR Label — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 24V969: Unexpected Vehicle Movement/FMVSS 114 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 24V154: Inflator May Deploy Improperly — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 22V693: Loss of Power Steering Assist — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 23V496: Loss of Power Steering Assist — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 19V654: No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America, Inc. or Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Nissan and the model names are trademarks of their owners.